Abstract: An electrothermal heater for an ice protection system includes a laminated heater mat which comprises a primary heater element layer, a secondary heater element layer, and at least one dielectric layer interposed between the primary and secondary heater element layers, and control apparatus which comprises power supply apparatus and a current detector. The control apparatus is configured to have (i) a first mode in which the power supply apparatus supplies a heater current to the primary heater element layer and does not supply a heater current to the secondary heater element layer and the current detector monitors the secondary heater element layer for detecting a leakage current of the heater current of the primary heater element layer indicative of burn-out of the primary heater element layer and (ii) a second mode in which the power supply apparatus supplies a heater current to the secondary heater element layer and does not supply a heater current to the primary heater element layer.

Abstract: An ice-protection system has first and second zones of a leading edge of an aerodynamic or streamlined aerodynamic component, each zone having a de-icing apparatus and an ice-detection sensor positioned behind an elongated convex window as to be aero-conformal with the leading edge. The ice-detection sensor is in the form of a module and has a sensor head having a front face and abutments at ends of the window. The ice-detection sensors may have a central light emitter and a plurality of sensor elements peripheral to the light emitter. The ice-protection system also has a control system responsive to the ice-detection sensors to control the respective de-icing apparatus, and may activate automatically a sequence of operation.

Abstract: An ice-protection system suitable for use in an aircraft comprises first de-icing apparatus operable to de-ice a first zone; a first ice-detection sensor positioned in the first zone and arranged to detect ice accreted on the first zone; and a control system responsive to the first ice-detection sensor and arranged to control the operation of the first de-icing apparatus.

Abstract: A dielectric component with electrical connection is provided for a laminated heater mat (3) for an ice protection system for an aircraft (1). The dielectric component with electrical connection comprises at least one dielectric layer (50, 55) comprising thermoplastic material, and the dielectric layer (50) or a stack of the dielectric layers (50, 55) has first and second main surfaces and a hole (505) extending between the first and second main surfaces. A first sprayed metal coating (501) comprises a first portion (503) deposited on the first main surface (502) adjacent to the hole (505) and a second portion (5014) which projects into the hole. A second sprayed metal coating (5013, 5513) comprises a third portion deposited on the second main surface (506, 552) adjacent to the hole (505) and a fourth portion (5015) which projects into the hole (505). The second portion (5014) overlaps the fourth portion (5015) to form a continuous conductive path between the first main surface and the second main surface.

Abstract: Electrical apparatus such as a heater (2) for an ice protection system for an aircraft (1) comprises a laminate such as a heater mat (3) and a connector (41-49). The laminate (3) comprises dielectric layers (50-58) and an electrical element such as a heater element (501), and each dielectric layer of the laminate comprises thermoplastic material. The connector (41-49) comprises a ribbon having first and second ends and a metal conductor (413, 423, 433). The ribbon comprises thermoplastic material and its first end (415, 425, 435, 445, 455, 465, 475, 485) is embedded in the laminate and is laminated to adjacent first and second ones of the dielectric layers (50-58) of the laminate. Because the thermoplastic material of the ribbon is the same as or is compatible with the thermoplastic material of the first and second dielectric layers, the formation of an undesirable discontinuity at the interfaces between the first end of the ribbon and the first and second dielectric layers is prevented.

Abstract: An electrothermal heater mat (3) is provided for an ice protection system for an aircraft (1) or the like. The heater mat (3) is a laminated heater mat and comprises dielectric layers (50-58), a heater element (501) and a temperature sensor (507). Each dielectric layer (50-58) comprises thermoplastic material, and the temperature sensor (507) comprises a sprayed metal track (5010, 5012) deposited on a substrate (50, 5019) comprising thermoplastic material. The substrate may be one of the dielectric layers (50) or a separate carrier (5019) which is smaller than the dielectric layers (50-58).

Abstract: Electrical apparatus such as a heater (2) for an ice protection system for an aircraft (1) comprises a laminate such as a heater mat (3) and a connector (41-49). The laminate (3) comprises dielectric layers (50-58) and an electrical element such as a heater element (501), and each dielectric layer of the laminate comprises thermoplastic material. The connector (41-49) comprises a ribbon having first and second ends and a metal conductor (413, 423, 433). The ribbon comprises thermoplastic material and its first end (415, 425, 435, 445, 455, 465, 475, 485) is embedded in the laminate and is laminated to adjacent first and second ones of the dielectric layers (50-58) of the laminate. Because the thermoplastic material of the ribbon is the same as or is compatible with the thermoplastic material of the first and second dielectric layers, the formation of an undesirable discontinuity at the interfaces between the first end of the ribbon and the first and second dielectric layers is prevented.

Abstract: A dielectric component with electrical connection is provided for a laminated heater mat (3) for an ice protection system for an aircraft (1). The dielectric component with electrical connection comprises at least one dielectric layer (50, 55) comprising thermoplastic material, and the dielectric layer (50) or a stack of the dielectric layers (50, 55) has first and second main surfaces and a hole (505) extending between the first and second main surfaces. A first sprayed metal coating (501) comprises a first portion (503) deposited on the first main surface (502) adjacent to the hole (505) and a second portion (5014) which projects into the hole. A second sprayed metal coating (5013, 5513) comprises a third portion deposited on the second main surface (506, 552) adjacent to the hole (505) and a fourth portion (5015) which projects into the hole (505). The second portion (5014) overlaps the fourth portion (5015) to form a continuous conductive path between the first main surface and the second main surface.

Abstract: An electrothermal heater mat (3) is provided for an ice protection system for an aircraft (1) or the like. The heater mat (3) is a laminated heater mat and comprises dielectric layers (50-58), a heater element (501) and a temperature sensor (507). Each dielectric layer (50-58) comprises thermoplastic material, and the temperature sensor (507) comprises a sprayed metal track (5010, 5012) deposited on a substrate (50, 5019) comprising thermoplastic material. The substrate may be one of the dielectric layers (50) or a separate carrier (5019) which is smaller than the dielectric layers (50-58).

Abstract: An electrothermal heater (2) for an ice protection system for an aircraft (1) or the like is provided with improved protection against lightning strikes. The heater (2) comprises a laminated heater mat (3) formed from dielectric layers (51-54) and a heater element (501). A first connector (41) has a first end (415) which is embedded in the heater mat (3) and is electrically connected to the heater element (501) and a second end which extends away from the heater mat for connection to a heater control unit (6). The heater mat (3) further includes first and second conductive ground planes (71, 72) and the first end (415) of the first connector (41) is positioned between the first and second ground planes so as to be shielded thereby and so as to reduce the current induced therein during a lightning strike.

Abstract: A portable solar battery charger comprises a photovoltaic array, a power regulator, a controller, and a battery. In one embodiment, the controller is configured to increase the charging current provided by the power regulator to the battery over time using discrete current levels. A comparator can compare the voltage of the photovoltaic array to a threshold, and provide the result to the controller. The controller can be configured to decrease the current to a previously selected level when the comparator indicates the voltage of the photovoltaic array is below a threshold, thereby improving the efficiency of the current delivery to the battery.

Abstract: A solar chargeable battery comprises a built-in photovoltaic array and a programmable battery charging circuit. The photovoltaic array provides a variable power source in response to light. The battery charging circuit receives the variable power source and operates in different modes to charge the battery over a range of lighting conditions. For example, the battery charging circuit charges the battery to a substantially fixed regulated voltage level in a first mode when a voltage level of the variable power source is above a predefined threshold. The battery charging circuit charges the battery to an adjustable regulated voltage level in a second mode when the voltage level of the variable power source is below the predefined threshold.

Abstract: A portable solar battery charger comprises a photovoltaic array, a power regulator, a controller, and a battery. In one embodiment, the controller is configured to increase the charging current provided by the power regulator to the battery over time using discrete current levels. A comparator can compare the voltage of the photovoltaic array to a threshold, and provide the result to the controller. The controller can be configured to decrease the current to a previously selected level when the comparator indicates the voltage of the photovoltaic array is below a threshold, thereby improving the efficiency of the current delivery to the battery.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for current loss compensation in multi-junction photovoltaic cells. The use of direct electrical contact with the interconnect layers in a multi-junction PV cell can improve cell efficiency over variable lighting conditions. Electrical contact with some or all of the interconnect layers can advantageously permit disconnection of subcells operating at low current or voltage. The result is multi-junction PV cells that can adapt to variable lighting conditions and compensate for a decrease in current in certain subcells, thereby advantageously improving a multi-junction PV cell's total output current.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for current loss compensation in multi-junction photovoltaic cells. The use of direct electrical contact with the interconnect layers in a multi-junction PV cell can improve cell efficiency over variable lighting conditions. Electrical contact with some or all of the interconnect layers can advantageously permit disconnection of subcells operating at low current or voltage. The result is multi-junction PV cells that can adapt to variable lighting conditions and compensate for a decrease in current in certain subcells, thereby advantageously improving a multi-junction PV cell's total output current.

Abstract: A solar chargeable battery comprises a built-in photovoltaic array and a programmable battery charging circuit. The photovoltaic array provides a variable power source in response to light. The battery charging circuit receives the variable power source and operates in different modes to charge the battery over a range of lighting conditions. For example, the battery charging circuit charges the battery to a substantially fixed regulated voltage level in a first mode when a voltage level of the variable power source is above a predefined threshold. The battery charging circuit charges the battery to an adjustable regulated voltage level in a second mode when the voltage level of the variable power source is below the predefined threshold.