Patent US6010095A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6010095A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Icing detector for aircraft
Assignee: New Avionics Corp
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Filing: 1997-08-20
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Granted: 2000-01-04
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Expires: 2017-08-20
Abstract
Abstract According to the invention, there is provided an icing detector for detecting presence of both rime ice and clear ice in air comprising an ice collecting surface facing an oncoming air stream; light emitting apparatus for emitting a light beam crossing the ice collecting surface, having a prismatic light refracting window for refracting the light beam in a first direction, when no ice is present on the ice collecting surface; light sensing apparatus in a path of the second direction, and annunciating apparatus coupled to the light sensing apparatus for annunciating presence of ice when light is sensed by the light sensing apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Hackmeister
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:04
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D15/00; B64D15/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
An icing detector for detecting presence of ice in air comprising an ice collecting surface facing an oncoming air stream; light emitting means for emitting a light beam crossing said ice collecting surface, having a prismatic light refracting window for refracting said light beam in a first direction, when no ice is present on the ice collecting surface and in a second direction when clear ice is present on the ice collecting surface; and light sensing means in a path of said second direction, and annunciating means coupled to said light sensing means for annunciating presence of ice when light is sensed by said light sensing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
An icing detector for detecting presence of ice in air comprising an ice collecting surface facing an oncoming air stream; light emitting means for emitting a light beam crossing said ice collecting surface, having a prismatic light refracting window for refracting said light beam in a first direction, when no ice is present on the ice collecting surface and in a second direction when clear ice is present on the ice collecting surface; and light sensing means in a path of said second direction, and annunciating means coupled to said light sensing means for annunciating presence of ice when light is sensed by said light sensing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An icing detector according to claim 1 including a reflecting surface disposed in said second direction for reflecting said light beam in a direction of said light sensing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
An icing detector according to claim 1, wherein said light emitting means include a light source, a transmitting light conductor having a light entry end for receiving light from said light source and a light exit end forming said light refracting window.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
An icing detector according to claim 3, including a detector body having said ice collecting surface formed therein, a first upstanding wall disposed at lone side of said ice collecting surface having said light emitting means and said light receiving means mounted therein, and a second upstanding wall disposed oppositely said first upstanding wall having said reflecting surface formed therein, facing said first upstanding wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
An icing detector according to claim 4, including an electronic light sensor, wherein said light sensing means include a receiving light conductor having a light receiving end disposed in said first upstanding wall, and a light exit end coupled to said electronic light sensor, wherein said electronic light sensor is disposed away from said detector body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An icing detector according to claim 4, wherein said reflecting surface is formed with a concave curvature facing said first wall for focusing said light on said light sensing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
An icing detector according to claim 3, wherein said prismatic light refracting window is formed as a slanted planar cut through said first light conductor, said slanted planar cut having a normal substantially parallel with said ice collecting surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
82 words
An icing detector according to claim 5, including in said light sensing means a photo diode coupled to said light exit end of said receiving light conductor, an electronic detecting circuit having an input connected to said photo diode for detecting presence of light received by said photodiode, and an output connected to an electronic circuit having a "clear ice" output, said electronic circuit operative for activating said "clear ice" output upon presence of light being sensed by said light sensing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
An icing detector according to claim 8, wherein said electronic circuit includes a threshold circuit and a "rime ice" output wherein said "rime ice" output is activated when the ice sensing detector receives a light input having a light level below said threshold.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
An icing detector according to claim 9, including a "no ice" output of said electronic circuit, and a NOR-gate having two inputs respectively connected to said "clear ice output" and said "rime ice output," and an output indicating "no ice" when neither clear ice nor rime ice is active.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
An icing detector according to claim 1, including annunciating means having an annunciator operative for annunciating at least one of the conditions "clear ice", "rime ice" and "no ice".
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
An icing detector according to claim 11, wherein said annunciating means are operative for annunciating in at least one of the modes: acoustic mode, optical display mode and vibrating mode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
An icing detector according to claim 1, including mounting means for mounting the icing detector on an aircraft.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
An icing detector according to claim 1, wherein said icing detector is adapted for detecting icing in a carburetor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
An icing detector according to claim 1, wherein said detector is adapted for detecting ice formation on a pitot tube.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
An icing detector according to claim 1, adapted for detecting fuel level in a fuel tank.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
An icing detector according to claim 1, having small dimensions so as to efficiently attract ice formation.
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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) | 2003-01-03 | 2003-07-05 | 2004-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-03 | 2007-07-05 | 2008-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-03 | 2011-07-05 | 2012-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |