Abstract: A de-icing assembly for a surface of an aircraft includes a carcass, seams, inflation passages, a manifold, and a reinforcement stitchline. The carcass includes a first layer, a second layer, and a carcass centerline. The seams are sewn into the carcass and join the first and second layers of the carcass together. The inflation passages are formed by the seams and are disposed between the first and second layers of the carcass. The manifold includes a width and a manifold centerline oriented approximately perpendicular to the carcass centerline and is fluidly connected to and is disposed beneath the carcass. The first reinforcement stitchline is sewn into the carcass adjacent to one of the plurality of seams and is disposed at a location on the carcass overlapping with the manifold. The first reinforcement stitchline is disposed approximately perpendicular to the manifold centerline and extends across the width of the manifold.

Abstract: A de-icing assembly for a surface of an aircraft includes a carcass, seams, inflation passages, a manifold, and a reinforcement stitchline. The carcass includes a first layer, a second layer, and a carcass centerline. The seams are sewn into the carcass and join the first and second layers of the carcass together. The inflation passages are formed by the seams and are disposed between the first and second layers of the carcass. The manifold includes a width and a manifold centerline oriented approximately perpendicular to the carcass centerline and is fluidly connected to and is disposed beneath the carcass. The first reinforcement stitchline is sewn into the carcass adjacent to one of the plurality of seams and is disposed at a location on the carcass overlapping with the manifold. The first reinforcement stitchline is disposed approximately perpendicular to the manifold centerline and extends across the width of the manifold.

Abstract: Radar absorbing electrothermal deicing apparatus for use in deicing an airfoil surface comprises: a heater element including a predetermined area pattern of conductive metallic material; and a layer of radar absorbing material disposed over the heater element. In addition, a method of absorbing radar signals in an electrothermal deicer comprises the steps of: disposing an electrothermal deicing element at a surface of an airfoil; and disposing a layer of dielectric material comprising a filler of magnetic material over the electrothermal deicing element.

Abstract: An aircraft fluid delivery device (10) including a piston assembly (20), a pilot assembly (22), and a control assembly (24). The control assembly (24) includes non-contact proximity sensors (S1, S2) that sense the position of the piston (28) and a controller (80) that controls the pilot assembly (22), and thus the piston assembly (20), based on information received from the sensors (S1,S2). Specifically, the controller (80) energizes a solenoid (72) to cause fluid to flow through the pilot assembly (22) into a large portion of the piston chamber (30) during the compression stroke of the piston (28). When the solenoid (72) is deenergized during the return stroke of the piston (28), or when the delivery device is electrically turned off, an ejector (60) in the pilot assembly (22) generates a vacuum on the pressure side of the wide portion of the piston chamber (30).

Abstract: A deicer is provided for breaking up and removing accumulated ice on an airfoil surface. The deicer includes a bondside surface that is bonded to the airfoil surface, a breezeside surface on which the ice will accumulate, and passage-defining surfaces therebetween. The passage-defining surfaces define a plurality of expansible and contractible inflation passages and include a moisture-impervious coating whereby moisture within the inflation passages will not be absorbed by the surfaces. The bondside, breezeside and passage-defining surfaces may be contained on a deicer panel and means may be provided for introducing inflation fluid to and evacuating inflation fluid from the passages to expand and contract the inflation passages to break up and remove the accumulated ice.