Abstract: A method for creating a carbon nanotube heater assembly includes creating a carbon nanotube heater with varying resistances and attaching the carbon nanotube heater to both carrier and encapsulating materials. Creating the carbon nanotube heater with varying resistances is accomplished by applying a carbon nanotube mixture to a substrate, adjusting the thickness or width of the carbon nanotube mixture, and drying the nanotube mixture.

Abstract: An aircraft heated floor panel includes a first face sheet, a second face sheet opposite the first face sheet, and core with an electrically conductive core portion. The electrically conductive core portion supports the first face sheet and the second face sheet, and is electrically insulated from the external environment to receive electrical power, resistively generate heat, and communicate heat to the first face sheet.

Abstract: A method for creating a carbon nanotube heater assembly includes creating a carbon nanotube heater with varying resistances and attaching the carbon nanotube heater to both carrier and encapsulating materials. Creating the carbon nanotube heater with varying resistances is accomplished by applying a carbon nanotube mixture to a substrate, adjusting the thickness or width of the carbon nanotube mixture, and drying the nanotube mixture.

Abstract: A method of making a carbon nanotube heater includes impregnating a dry carbon nanotube fiber matrix with a conductive resin, the conductive resin is made of an organic resin and a conductive filler material. The carbon nanotube heater is lightweight, strong, and maintains appropriate electrical conductivity and resistance for use as a heater.

Abstract: A method of making monolithic carbon nanotube heater elements with geometric shape with multiple, complex curvatures is disclosed. The method includes depositing carbon nanotubes on to a forming surface, draining the carbon nanotubes, and drying the carbon nanotubes. Alternatively, the method includes thermoforming carbon nanotube sheets containing thermoplastic binders. The resulting carbon nanotube heater element is a thin, monolithic carbon nanotube heater sheet having a geometric shape with complex curvatures.

Abstract: An erosion shield assembly includes an erosion shield, a carbon allotrope heater attached to an inner surface of the erosion shield, and an adhesive layer between the carbon allotrope heater and the erosion shield. The carbon allotrope heater includes at least one layer of a carbon allotrope material.

Abstract: One example of a heating element includes a first carbon nanotube (CNT) layer and a second CNT layer. At least a portion of the first CNT layer overlaps at least a portion of the second CNT layer, and the first CNT layer includes a first perforated region having a plurality of perforations. Another heating element includes a CNT sheet with a first perforated region having a plurality of perforations and a first perforation density and a second perforated region having a plurality of perforations and a second perforation density different from the first perforation density. A method of forming a heating element includes perforating a first CNT layer so that it includes a perforated region and stacking the first CNT layer with a second CNT layer such that at least a portion of the first CNT layer overlaps at least a portion of the second CNT layer.

Abstract: An ice protection system includes an aircraft surface and a gutter defined in the aircraft surface between raised rails. The gutter includes a mouth that narrows into a trailing portion of the gutter. The mouth is configured to channel water runback rivulets into the trailing portion of the gutter. The gutter can be a first gutter of a plurality of side by side gutters, each including a respective mouth narrowing into a respective trailing portion, wherein the gutters are separated from one another by respective rails.

Abstract: A method of making monolithic carbon nanotube heater elements with geometric shape with multiple, complex curvatures is disclosed. The method includes depositing carbon nanotubes on to a forming surface, draining the carbon nanotubes, and drying the carbon nanotubes. Alternatively, the method includes thermoforming carbon nanotube sheets containing thermoplastic binders. The resulting carbon nanotube heater element is a thin, monolithic carbon nanotube heater sheet having a geometric shape with complex curvatures.

Abstract: A deicing assembly includes a pneumatic deicing apparatus configured for attachment to a leading edge of an aircraft surface, the pneumatic deicing assembly having a plurality of inflatable chambers, and a carbon allotrope heater having at least one sheet of a carbon allotrope material.

Abstract: An erosion shield assembly includes an erosion shield, a carbon allotrope heater attached to an inner surface of the erosion shield, and an adhesive layer between the carbon allotrope heater and the erosion shield. The carbon allotrope heater includes at least one layer of a carbon allotrope material.

Abstract: A method of making a carbon nanotube heater includes impregnating a dry carbon nanotube fiber matrix with a conductive resin, the conductive resin is made of an organic resin and a conductive filler material. The carbon nanotube heater is lightweight, strong, and maintains appropriate electrical conductivity and resistance for use as a heater.

Abstract: One example of a heating element includes a first carbon nanotube (CNT) layer and a second CNT layer. At least a portion of the first CNT layer overlaps at least a portion of the second CNT layer, and the first CNT layer includes a first perforated region having a plurality of perforations. Another heating element includes a CNT sheet with a first perforated region having a plurality of perforations and a first perforation density and a second perforated region having a plurality of perforations and a second perforation density different from the first perforation density. A method of forming a heating element includes perforating a first CNT layer so that it includes a perforated region and stacking the first CNT layer with a second CNT layer such that at least a portion of the first CNT layer overlaps at least a portion of the second CNT layer.

Abstract: A method for creating a carbon nanotube heater assembly includes creating a carbon nanotube heater with varying resistances and attaching the carbon nanotube heater to both carrier and encapsulating materials. Creating the carbon nanotube heater with varying resistances is accomplished by applying a carbon nanotube mixture to a substrate, adjusting the thickness or width of the carbon nanotube mixture, and drying the nanotube mixture.

Abstract: A method of making a carbon nanotube heater assembly for a large area requiring ice protection includes using a connection material to join first and second carbon nanotube heaters. The assembly includes a carrier material and an encapsulating material surrounding the carbon nanotube heaters and connection material.

Abstract: An aircraft heated floor panel includes a first face sheet, a second face sheet opposite the first face sheet, and core with an electrically conductive core portion. The electrically conductive core portion supports the first face sheet and the second face sheet, and is electrically insulated from the external environment to receive electrical power, resistively generate heat, and communicate heat to the first face sheet.

Abstract: An aircraft electrical appliance is provided with a ground-fault-interruption device (50) for protecting it in the event of problematic current loss due to, for example, a compromise in electrical insulation. The device (50) has a GFI circuit (60) comprising a current differential determiner (70), a trigger (80) that is activated upon the current differential corresponding to ground-fault situation, and an interrupter (90) that interrupts power supply to the appliance upon the trigger (80) being activated. The GFI circuit (60) is electrically independent of electrical controller components of the appliance, thereby avoiding expensive software configuration and confirmation.

Abstract: An aircraft electrical appliance is provided with a ground-fault-interruption device (50) for protecting it in the event of problematic current loss due to, for example, a compromise in electrical insulation. The device (50) has a GFI circuit (60) comprising a current differential determiner (70), a trigger (80) that is activated upon the current differential corresponding to ground-fault situation, and an interrupter (90) that interrupts power supply to the appliance upon the trigger (80) being activated. The GFI circuit (60) is electrically independent of electrical controller components of the appliance, thereby avoiding expensive software configuration and confirmation.

Abstract: An aircraft supplemental air heater including a coiled composite having a series of passes defining a spiral shaped airflow passage therebetween. The composite includes a heating element that provides a controlled heat output when a voltage potential is applied across it. The composite also includes a convective heat transfer surface to which the heat output is transferred whereby as air flows through the heater's spiral shaped airflow passage, it passes over the convective heat transfer surface and heat is thereby transferred to the air through convection. The aircraft supplemental air heater maybe installed in-line with an air supply duct leading to the cabin of the aircraft and/or may be installed downstream of a fan. The heater may be made by assembling a composite panel and then forming this panel into the desired coiled shape.

Abstract: An aircraft supplemental air heater including a coiled composite having a series of passes defining a spiral shaped airflow passage therebetween. The composite includes a heating element that provides a controlled heat output when a voltage potential is applied across it. The composite also includes a convective heat transfer surface to which the heat output is transferred whereby as air flows through the heater's spiral shaped airflow passage, it passes over the convective heat transfer surface and heat is thereby transferred to the air through convection. The aircraft supplemental air heater maybe installed in-line with an air supply duct leading to the cabin of the aircraft and/or may be installed downstream of a fan. The heater may be made by assembling a composite panel and then forming this panel into the desired coiled shape.