Abstract: A method and system for detecting and determining icing conditions. The method includes: creating a statistical model from test data in which set of data from n data inputs are each plotted as a point in n-dimensional space, and wherein the n-dimensional space is divided into a plurality of regions each representative of a different icing condition according to the data in that region; for a set of current data from n data inputs, using the model to classify the icing condition indicated by the current data, by: obtaining current data from n data inputs; providing the current data as input data to the model; determining the region of the model in which the current data set is located; and identifying the icing condition indicated by the current data set according to the determined region.

Abstract: An ice detection system for an aircraft surface includes a sensor assembly comprising a plurality of temperature sensitive elements configured to be arranged at respective points on the aircraft surface, a control unit arranged to receive signals indicative of a temperature sensed by each of the temperature sensitive elements, a signal conducting bus to transmit the signals from the temperature sensitive elements to the control unit, and means for providing power to the sensor assembly, wherein the sensor assembly further comprises a multiplexer arranged to multiplex the signals from the plurality of temperature sensitive elements into a single signal for transmission on the signal conducting bus to the control unit.

Abstract: A deicing system for an aircraft may comprise a dual pressure regulating valve. The dual pressure regulating valve may comprise a low pressure setting and a high pressure setting. The low pressure setting may supply a relatively lesser supply of bleed air to an aircraft component, and the high pressure setting may supply a relatively greater supply of bleed air to the aircraft component. The dual pressure regulating valve may be switched between the low pressure setting and the high pressure setting based on aircraft or atmospheric conditions to prevent heat damage to the aircraft component.

Abstract: An ice protection system comprises deicing zones each including an envelope defining an ice-protection area. Adjacent envelopes have spanwise edge regions flanking shared interzone borders. The edge regions are provided with nonlinear contours having features which project-and-recess in a direction generally parallel to the airstream direction.

Abstract: A deicing system for an aircraft may comprise a dual pressure regulating valve. The dual pressure regulating valve may comprise a low pressure setting and a high pressure setting. The low pressure setting may supply a relatively lesser supply of bleed air to an aircraft component, and the high pressure setting may supply a relatively greater supply of bleed air to the aircraft component. The dual pressure regulating valve may be switched between the low pressure setting and the high pressure setting based on aircraft or atmospheric conditions to prevent heat damage to the aircraft component.

Abstract: An ice protection system comprises deicing zones wherein each zone includes an envelope with an electrothermal heater layer Adjacent envelopes have edge regions flanking shared interzone borders. These edge regions can be configured to provide a higher heating power than the rest of the envelope so as to enhance deicing at the borders.

Abstract: An ice protection system comprises deicing zones each including an envelope defining an ice-protection area. Adjacent envelopes have spanwise edge regions flanking shared interzone borders. The edge regions are provided with nonlinear contours having features which project-and-recess in a direction generally parallel to the airstream direction.

Abstract: A nacelle inlet lip (22) for an aircraft engine (16) comprises a structural body (30) and an ice protection system (60). The ice protection system (60) comprises a plurality of ice-protectors (62, 64, 66) independently controllable to allow inner zones (52, 54, 56) to be operated in different modes, different power levels, different time intervals and/or different energy amounts. In this manner, an inner aft zone (52), an inner mid zone (54), and an inner aft zone (56) can be anti-iced and/or de-iced to best preserve desired airflow patterns, to minimize ice particle shed size, and to optimize power consumption.

Abstract: An aircraft wing (12) comprising a structural casing (14) defining a leading edge, a fuel cell (16) within the structural casing (14), a deicer (18) having electrical lines which receive a supply of electrical power from an onboard power source, and a trip line (20). The trip line (20) is positioned to receive early contact upon impact of the wing by a bird or other foreign object and disruption of the trip line triggers termination of the supply of electrical power to the deicer (18).