US5597140A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Infrared deicers for aircraft positioned on a taxiway and methods for using same
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-01-12
•
Granted: 1997-01-28
•
Expires: 2015-01-12
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for deicing an aircraft is defined by an insulated shelter being a size capable of enclosing an aircraft. The shelter is positioned on a deicing surface that absorbs heat from means such as electrical filaments or heated pipes within the deicing surface or through the application of infrared radiation onto the deicing surface. In turn, the deicing surface radiates heat into the air within the shelter. Once an aircraft is enclosed within the shelter, infrared radiation is applied to a portion of the exterior surface of the aircraft. The combination of the infrared radiation and the heat radiating from the deicing surface rapidly deices and substantially dries the exterior surface of the aircraft. The exterior of the aircraft is subsequently heated to a sufficiently high temperature that ice will not reform on the aircraft prior to take off.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C. Madsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:50
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64F; B64F5/00; B64F5/20; B64F5/27; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
An apparatus for rapidly deicing and substantially drying the exterior surface of an aircraft on an approach area awaiting to takeoff, the apparatus comprising: (a) a shelter capable of enclosing an aircraft therein; (b) a deicing surface positioned within the shelter such that the aircraft rests thereon; (c) means for emitting infrared radiation on a portion of the exterior surface of the aircraft enclosed within the shelter to melt the ice on that portion of the exterior surface; and (d) means for causing the deicing surface within the shelter to transfer thermal energy by convection within the shelter to warm both the exterior surface of the aircraft and the air surrounding the aircraft to promote melting the ice and evaporating the melted ice on all portions of the exterior surface of the aircraft, the combination of the infrared radiation and the thermal energy substantially deicing and drying all portions of the exterior surface of the aircraft.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
156 words
An apparatus for rapidly deicing and substantially drying the exterior surface of an aircraft on an approach area awaiting to takeoff, the apparatus comprising: (a) a shelter capable of enclosing an aircraft therein; (b) a deicing surface positioned within the shelter such that the aircraft rests thereon; (c) means for emitting infrared radiation on a portion of the exterior surface of the aircraft enclosed within the shelter to melt the ice on that portion of the exterior surface; and (d) means for causing the deicing surface within the shelter to transfer thermal energy by convection within the shelter to warm both the exterior surface of the aircraft and the air surrounding the aircraft to promote melting the ice and evaporating the melted ice on all portions of the exterior surface of the aircraft, the combination of the infrared radiation and the thermal energy substantially deicing and drying all portions of the exterior surface of the aircraft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the shelter has a plurality of walls, a roof spanning the walls, and doors positioned on opposing sides of the shelter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the shelter is insulated to an R-factor in a range between about 10 to about 40.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the deicing surface is made of concrete.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the deicing surface has a dark coating.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for emitting infrared radiation comprises a plurality of quartz lamp infrared emitters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for causing the deicing surface within the shelter to transfer thermal energy by convection within the shelter comprises a plurality of infrared emitters directing infrared radiation onto the deicing surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for causing the deicing surface within the shelter to transfer thermal energy by convection within the shelter comprises electrical filaments positioned within the deicing surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for causing the deicing surface within the shelter to transfer thermal energy by convection within the shelter comprises interconnected pipes dispersed throughout the deicing surface through which heated liquids and gasses can pass through for heating the deicing surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the combination of the infrared radiation and the thermal energy substantially deice and dry all portions of the exterior surface of the aircraft in a period of time less than about 15 minutes from when the aircraft is positioned within the shelter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the combination of the infrared radiation and the thermal energy substantially deice and dry all portions of the exterior surface of the aircraft in a period of time less than about 10 minutes from when the aircraft is positioned within the shelter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the shelter is capable of enclosing plurality of aircraft simultaneously.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the deicing surface comprises a drain through which the melted ice is removed from the shelter.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
216 words
An apparatus for deicing an aircraft prior to takeoff, the aircraft having an exterior surface with ice deposited thereon, the apparatus comprising: (a) a shelter being a size capable of enclosing an aircraft, the shelter having walls, a roof, an interior surface, and doors positioned on opposing sides of the shelter for receiving and removing the aircraft; (b) a deicing surface positioned within the shelter such that the aircraft rests thereon; (c) a plurality of primary infrared lamps attached to the interior surface of the shelter and oriented so as to direct infrared radiation on a portion of the exterior surface of the aircraft enclosed within the shelter to melt the ice on that portion of the exterior surface; and (d) a plurality of secondary infrared lamps attached to the interior surface of the shelter and oriented so as to direct infrared radiation on the deicing surface to heat the deicing surface, in turn the deicing surface warming both the air surrounding the aircraft and the exterior surface of the aircraft to promote melting the ice and evaporating the melted ice on all portions of the exterior surface of the aircraft, the combination of the primary infrared radiation and the secondary infrared radiation substantially deicing and drying all portions of the exterior surface of the aircraft.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
216 words
An apparatus for deicing an aircraft prior to takeoff, the aircraft having an exterior surface with ice deposited thereon, the apparatus comprising: (a) a shelter being a size capable of enclosing an aircraft, the shelter having walls, a roof, an interior surface, and doors positioned on opposing sides of the shelter for receiving and removing the aircraft; (b) a deicing surface positioned within the shelter such that the aircraft rests thereon; (c) a plurality of primary infrared lamps attached to the interior surface of the shelter and oriented so as to direct infrared radiation on a portion of the exterior surface of the aircraft enclosed within the shelter to melt the ice on that portion of the exterior surface; and (d) a plurality of secondary infrared lamps attached to the interior surface of the shelter and oriented so as to direct infrared radiation on the deicing surface to heat the deicing surface, in turn the deicing surface warming both the air surrounding the aircraft and the exterior surface of the aircraft to promote melting the ice and evaporating the melted ice on all portions of the exterior surface of the aircraft, the combination of the primary infrared radiation and the secondary infrared radiation substantially deicing and drying all portions of the exterior surface of the aircraft.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for rapidly deicing and substantially drying the exterior surface of an aircraft on an approach area awaiting to takeoff, the method comprising the steps of: (a) enclosing an aircraft within a shelter on an approach area, the aircraft resting on a deicing surface positioned within the shelter; (b) applying infrared radiation to a portion of the exterior surface of the aircraft enclosed within the shelter to melt the ice on that portion of the exterior surface; and (c) heating the deicing surface within the shelter to transfer thermal energy by convection within the shelter to warm both the exterior surface of the aircraft and the air surrounding the aircraft to promote melting the ice and evaporating the melted ice on all portions of the exterior surface of the aircraft, the combination of the infrared radiation and the thermal energy substantially deicing and drying all portions of the exterior surface of the aircraft.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for rapidly deicing and substantially drying the exterior surface of an aircraft on an approach area awaiting to takeoff, the method comprising the steps of: (a) enclosing an aircraft within a shelter on an approach area, the aircraft resting on a deicing surface positioned within the shelter; (b) applying infrared radiation to a portion of the exterior surface of the aircraft enclosed within the shelter to melt the ice on that portion of the exterior surface; and (c) heating the deicing surface within the shelter to transfer thermal energy by convection within the shelter to warm both the exterior surface of the aircraft and the air surrounding the aircraft to promote melting the ice and evaporating the melted ice on all portions of the exterior surface of the aircraft, the combination of the infrared radiation and the thermal energy substantially deicing and drying all portions of the exterior surface of the aircraft.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the method further includes heating the deicing surface prior to enclosing the aircraft.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the method further comprises blowing hot air on the exterior surface of the aircraft to assisting in removing the ice and evaporating the melted water on the exterior surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the method further comprises positioning a plurality of shelters near the end of a runway for simultaneously deicing a plurality of aircraft.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the deicing and drying of all portions of the exterior surface of the aircraft is accomplished within 15 minutes after the aircraft being enclosed within the shelter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as recited in claim 15 wherein the method further comprises leaving the aircraft within the shelter until the exterior surface of the aircraft is sufficiently warm to prevent the formation of ice on the exterior surface prior to takeoff of the aircraft.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
189 words
A method for consecutively deicing and substantially drying a plurality of aircraft on an approach area, the method comprising the steps of: (a) heating a deicing surface positioned within a shelter, the shelter being positioned on an approach area, the deicing surface being heated so as to heat the air within the shelter to above freezing; (b) enclosing the aircraft within the shelter so as to rest on the deicing surface; (c) applying infrared radiation to a portion of the exterior surface of the aircraft enclosed within the shelter to melt the ice on that portion of the exterior surface; the infrared radiation applied to the aircraft and the heat from the deicing surface substantially deicing and drying the exterior surface of the aircraft; (d) replacing the aircraft positioned within the shelter with a consecutive aircraft having an exterior surface with ice deposited thereon; and (e) applying infrared radiation to a portion of the exterior surface of the consecutive aircraft enclosed within the shelter, the infrared radiation applied to the consecutive aircraft and the heat from the deicing surface substantially deicing and drying the exterior surface of the aircraft.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
189 words
A method for consecutively deicing and substantially drying a plurality of aircraft on an approach area, the method comprising the steps of: (a) heating a deicing surface positioned within a shelter, the shelter being positioned on an approach area, the deicing surface being heated so as to heat the air within the shelter to above freezing; (b) enclosing the aircraft within the shelter so as to rest on the deicing surface; (c) applying infrared radiation to a portion of the exterior surface of the aircraft enclosed within the shelter to melt the ice on that portion of the exterior surface; the infrared radiation applied to the aircraft and the heat from the deicing surface substantially deicing and drying the exterior surface of the aircraft; (d) replacing the aircraft positioned within the shelter with a consecutive aircraft having an exterior surface with ice deposited thereon; and (e) applying infrared radiation to a portion of the exterior surface of the consecutive aircraft enclosed within the shelter, the infrared radiation applied to the consecutive aircraft and the heat from the deicing surface substantially deicing and drying the exterior surface of the aircraft.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-01-28 | 2000-07-29 | 2001-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-28 | 2004-07-29 | 2005-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-28 | 2008-07-29 | 2009-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |