Importance

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Abstract

A de-icing system is provided including a de-icer attached to an aircraft structural member subjected to an impinging airstream during flight, the airstream passing over the structural member in a fore to aft direction. The deicer has a primary heater element disposed beneath a primary shedding zone upon which ice accumulates during flight, the primary heater element being configured to heat the primary shedding zone upon application of an electrical potential across the primary heater element, and a secondary heater element disposed beneath a secondary shedding zone upon which ice accumulates during flight, the secondary heater element being configured to heat the secondary shedding zone upon application of an electrical potential across the secondary heater element, the secondary heater element being disposed immediately aft of the primary heater element. The de-icing system also has a controller configured to heat the primary heating element for a period of time sufficient to induce ice to shed from the primary shedding zone, to subsequently allow the primary heating element to cool below freezing, and to subsequently heat the secondary heating element for a period of time sufficient to induce ice to shed from the secondary shedding zone. The invention reduces runback and refreeze in unheated areas.

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First Claim