Ice Preventer Or De-icer Patents (Class 60/39.093)
  • Publication number: 20120036827
    Abstract: A rotating inlet cowl for a turbine engine, having a rotation axis and for which the forward end is arranged to be eccentric relative to this rotation axis. Furthermore, a forward cone of the cowl is truncated by a truncation surface defining the forward end of the inlet cowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Mickael Delapierre, Herve Gignoux, Gael Loro, Sylvie Wintenberger
  • Publication number: 20120017564
    Abstract: A system, including a superconductive heat transfer assembly, including, a first superconductive heat transfer pipe, a second superconductive heat transfer pipe, and a superconductive heat transfer contact switch configured to open and close a gap between the first superconductive heat transfer pipe and the second superconductive heat transfer pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Harish Chandra Dhingra, Donald Gordon Laing
  • Publication number: 20110296811
    Abstract: A heat transfer arrangement for a fluid-washed body having first and second ends and a fluid-washed surface extending there-between. The arrangement includes a heat transfer member extending from the first end at least part way along the body towards the second end. A heat source is arranged in use to heat the heat transfer member in the vicinity of the first end of the body. A plurality of thermal control layers are provided on the heat transfer member, each of the layers having a different thermal conductivity and being juxtaposed so as to create a thermal conductivity profile which varies along the length of the member. The arrangement may be used for prevention of icing of an aerofoil body such as a blade, vane or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: David S. Knott, Alexis Lambourne, Andrew M. Rolt, Cosimo Buffone
  • Publication number: 20110277443
    Abstract: The invention relates to a de-icing device for an element of a nacelle of a turbojet engine, including at least one heating resistant mat connected to at least one electrical power source (3) and thus defining an assembly (1) of resistant mats, characterised in that the assembly of resistant mats includes one or more subassemblies of resistant mats, each subassembly in turn including one or more resistant mats of the assembly, and each subassembly of resistive mats having a different ohmic value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: AIRCELLE
    Inventors: David Pereira, Laurence Lemains
  • Patent number: 8049147
    Abstract: A system includes a first heater located at the leading edge of a gas turbine structural member, a second heater located aft of the first heater, and a third heater located aft of the second heater. The first, second and third heaters are electrically-powered to prevent icing of the gas turbine structural member. Each of the heaters has a Watt density, and the Watt densities of the heaters differ from one another as a function of a magnitude of a cooling coefficient for airflow passing the vicinity of each heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Isaac Jon Hogate
  • Publication number: 20110247313
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention takes the form of an application and process that incorporates a waste heat source to increase the temperature of the airstream entering an inlet section of a combustion turbine. An embodiment of the present invention may perform an anti-icing operation that reduces the need to operate the IBH system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Rahul Jaikaran Chillar, Siddharth Girishkumar Upadhyay
  • Patent number: 8028959
    Abstract: An automatic recycling ice detector includes a sensor for sensing the formation of ice on an aircraft surface and a heater for melting the detected ice. The detector also includes a timing circuit for indicating the time to melt any detected ice and automatically recycling the detector when the ice is melted. A computer including a look up table or the like are provided for measuring and indicating the thickness of the accumulated ice based on a relationship between melting time and thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Safe Flight Instrument Corporation
    Inventor: Leonard M. Greene
  • Publication number: 20110238380
    Abstract: A system for preventing objects from entering the intake of a jet engine including a deflector mounted to the turbine shaft and including a de-icing device to minimize collection of ice on the deflector. The deflector includes a sensor in one embodiment for measuring object strikes so that comprehensive impact data may be obtained to generate an impact report so that measures can be taken to minimize object impacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas Lucian Hurlburt
  • Publication number: 20110225975
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for commanding and controlling at least one resistive heating element (1) belonging to an aircraft turbojet engine nacelle deicing set, characterized in that it involves the steps aimed at: obtaining, from a central control unit (6) of the aircraft, parameters representative of the exterior flight conditions; determining a thermal model corresponding to the flight conditions obtained; as a function of the thermal model, delivering the appropriate corresponding electrical power (4) to the resistive heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: AIRCELLE
    Inventors: David Pereira, Laurence Lemains
  • Patent number: 8015789
    Abstract: An aero-engine nose cone anti-icing system (10) using a rotating heat pipe (12) is provided to replace the current method of blowing hot compressor bleed air over the nose cone surface. Heat is transferred from a hot source (36) within the engine (22) to the nose cone (18) through a rotating heat pipe (12) along the central shaft (16). A condenser (20) and evaporator (14) are provided which are adapted to the heat transfer requirements and space constraints in the engine (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph Horace Brand, Michael John Dowhan
  • Patent number: 8015788
    Abstract: A heat transfer system is provided for a turbine engine of the type including an annular inlet cowling. The heat transfer system includes at least one heat pipe disposed in contact with an interior of the casing. The heat pipe is thermally coupled to a heat source, such that heat from the heat source can be transferred through the heat pipe and into the inlet cowling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Justin P. Stephenson, Thomas Ory Moniz, Kattalaicheri Srinivasan Venkataramani
  • Patent number: 8011172
    Abstract: An engine arrangement for a component subject to icing. The arrangement comprising a manifold as part of a flow path incident upon a heated component. The manifold including holes to create jets having an exit angle toward the component subject to icing. The jets of hot gas are entrained in a core flow passing through the main flow path before washing over a desired incident area of the component. The exit angle and spacing between the jet and the component are determined to reduce disruption of the core flow and/or provide the desired incident area on the component and/or use the minimum amount of hot air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Clive Lockwood
  • Publication number: 20110179764
    Abstract: The de-icing system comprises a flexible bladder (5) filled with de-icing fluid, pressed by the centrifugal forces produced when the rotor tip (1) is rotating against the inner wall thereof to apply a pressure favoring the progressive and calibrated discharge of the fluid, in the absence of a pump and any other active means. For this, the bladder comprises a concavity (11) at the rear which is automatically enlarged under the effect of centrifugal forces during operation and discharges the fluid continuously from the bladder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Claude Marcel Mons, Michel Paul Lucien Vernet
  • Publication number: 20110179765
    Abstract: A shield or protective grille assembly constructed of non-corrosive and heat conductive metal members (10, 12 & 14), conforming to the configurations shown on the drawings, said assembly design inducing airflow and having the structural integrity required for the purpose of screening and/or deflecting birds and/or other airborne objects, said shield performing a deicing function by means of a heating capability incorporated within the members of the shield assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventor: Anthony S. Lalli
  • Patent number: 7980081
    Abstract: Contemplated configurations and methods use first and second precoolers, preferably in alternating operation, to provide a combustion turbine with air at a temperature of 50° F., and more typically less than 32° F. and most typically less than 0° F. In such configurations and methods it is generally preferred that a heat transfer fluid circuit provides both, heated and cooled heat transfer fluid to thereby allow cooling and deicing of the precoolers. Most preferably, refrigeration is provided from an LNG regasification unit to form the cooled heat transfer fluid while heat from a power cycle (e.g., from surface condenser) is used to form the heated heat transfer fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: John Mak
  • Publication number: 20110167781
    Abstract: An anti-icing system and method for an aircraft engine nacelle. The nacelle has an inlet lip that defines a leading edge of the nacelle and has a cross-sectional shape and oppositely-disposed exterior and interior surfaces. An anti-icing system contacts at least the inlet lip of the nacelle. The anti-icing system includes at least one heating element having a cross-sectional shape that conforms to the cross-sectional shape of the inlet lip and in which carbon nanotubes are oriented and arranged to conduct electrical current through the heating element. Passing an electrical current through the heating element causes Joule heating of the heating element and heating of the inlet lip by thermal conduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: MRA SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Mahendra Maheshwari
  • Patent number: 7975966
    Abstract: Aircraft air scoop icing protection systems and methods include an air duct having air inlet and outlet openings and a fairing which covers the air duct and defines an interior fairing space in which at least a forward portion of the air duct is positioned. The fairing has a forward end which surrounds the air inlet of the air duct. At least one tube is provided having an inlet end in communication with a heated air chamber associated with an airframe structure of the aircraft, and an outlet end in communication with the interior fairing space. Heated air in the heated chamber is directed through the tube to the interior fairing space so as to provide icing protection to the air duct. The air scoop icing protection systems may advantageously be employed so as to provide icing protection to air scoops associated with an aircraft engine nacelle using the residual heat from the nacelle's inlet lip primary bleed air system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: EMBRAER - Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.
    Inventors: Francisco José De Souza, Luis Gustavo Trapp
  • Publication number: 20110162340
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making a nacelle element (2) that includes the steps of: (A) forming an array of heating resistors on a substrate using a photolithographic method; (B) applying a web (50, 52) of composite materials onto the array obtained in step (A); (C) applying an inner skin (12) onto the de-icing assembly (13) thus obtained. The invention also relates to a nacelle including such an element (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: AIRCELLE
    Inventors: Laurent Georges Valleroy, Marc Gerome
  • Patent number: 7959109
    Abstract: A thermal anti-ice system in an aircraft. A controlled valve receives air from a compressor bleed port of an engine of the aircraft. A self-regulating valve is fluidly connected between the controlled valve and an inlet of the engine. A first pressure sensor senses pressure between the valves. A second pressure sensor senses pressure between the self-regulating valve and the inlet. The system can be used to de-ice aircraft inlet lip skins made of composite materials that have comparatively lower design temperatures than other comparable materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Olubusola Anthony Dasilva, Heath Alan Conn, Erik Marc Langhofer, Hosam El Din El-Gabalawy, Joseph M. DiRusso
  • Publication number: 20110131945
    Abstract: This assembly comprises a first component (9), a second component (3), and a connecting device (19) for connecting these two components together, this device (19) being of the type that maintains the integrity of the surface of said second component (3), and the assembly being noteworthy in that said connecting device (19) comprises a structural skin (21) fixed to said first component (9) and a porous material (23) attached to this structural skin and fixed by contact to said second component (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: AIRCELLE
    Inventors: Guy Bernard Vauchel, Guillaume Ruckert
  • Publication number: 20110120076
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure (7) for a lip (4a) of an air inlet (4) of a turbojet pod (1) comprising an outer skin (12), designed to be oriented towards the outside of the lip, and an inner skin (13), designed to be oriented towards the inside of the lip, characterized in that it comprises at least one electric heating element (14) situated between the inner skin and the outer skin and capable of being connected to electric supply means (15, 16), at least one electric heating element extending at least partly through an acoustic attenuation zone having perforations (11) passing through the structure and associated with an acoustic attenuation structure (30) fitted to the inner skin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: Guy Bernard Vauchel
  • Patent number: 7941993
    Abstract: Cavities 4 are defined within an engine nacelle 1 with an inner surface 2 and an outer surface 3. Within these cavities 4, an evaporatable liquid 5 is arranged such that a proportion of the liquid 5 is in a gaseous phase in order to facilitate heat transfer between the inner surface 2 or the outer surface 3 and a hot surface. The liquid condenses upon the inner surface 2 or the outer surface 3 and collects into a pool for subsequent further evaporation by the hot surface of an insulated gate bi-polar transistor or convertor/generator components in order to facilitate further cooling of electric components housed or arranged in the nacelle 1 or nearby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Annegret W. Siebert
  • Publication number: 20110099970
    Abstract: An ice and/or frost preventing system for positioning in an airflow tunnel having an air inlet includes a plurality of waveguide passages positioned in the airflow tunnel; an air filter positioned in each waveguide passage; a microwave energy source coupled to each waveguide passage; a first screen positioned in the airflow tunnel upstream of the plurality of waveguide passages; and a second screen positioned in the airflow tunnel downstream of the plurality of waveguide passages. The microwave energy sources and the first and second screens create a guided, standing wave, microwave energy that substantially prevents at least one of ice and frost from forming on the air filters. A turbine system including the ice and/or frost preventing system is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Hua Zhang, Jianmin Zhang
  • Patent number: 7921632
    Abstract: A device for protection against icing for aircraft engines including at least one sensor, sensitive to an amount of accumulated ice, arranged in the air intake of an aircraft engine, a system for measuring the amount and comparing the amount to be predetermined threshold and a triggering system for launching a response to the detection of the crossing of the predetermined threshold, the response may be an alarm, an increase in the engine power delayed by the engine control system or the return of hot air upstream of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Airbus France
    Inventors: Pierre Jacquet-Francillon, Gilles Chene
  • Patent number: 7900872
    Abstract: An anti-icing system for an aircraft engine nacelle comprises a generally ring-shaped hollow spray tube for directing hot gasses toward a portion of the nacelle; a plurality of fasteners for attaching the spray tube to a support structure of the aircraft engine; and a supply duct for delivering the hot gasses from the aircraft engine to the spray tube. The spray tube includes two closed ends which define a thermal expansion gap therebetween to accommodate thermal expansions and contractions caused by the hot gasses. Each of the fasteners comprises a support bracket for attachment to the support structure of the aircraft and a guide assembly for supporting the spray tube to the support bracket. The guide assembly includes a generally ring-shaped block for encircling the spray tube, a bushing positioned within the block for contact with a bearing sleeve of the spray tube, and a pair of bushing retainers positioned on opposite sides of the block for retaining the bushing within the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Joe E. Sternberger
  • Patent number: 7900437
    Abstract: A heat transfer system is provided for a turbine engine of the type including an annular casing with an array of thermally conductive, generally radially-extending strut members disposed therein. The heat transfer system includes at least one arcuate heat pipe disposed in contact with an outer surface of the casing within fore-and-aft limits of the axial extent of the strut members. The heat pipe is thermally coupled to a heat source, such that heat from the heat source can be transferred through the heat pipe and the casing to the strut members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kattalaicheri Srinivasan Venkataramani, Thomas Ory Moniz, Justin P. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 7900438
    Abstract: A heat transfer system is provided for a turbine engine of the type including an annular casing with an array of generally radially-extending strut members disposed therein. The heat transfer system includes at least one primary heat pipe disposed at least partially inside a selected one of the strut members; at least one secondary heat pipe disposed outside the fan casing and thermally coupled to the at least one primary heat pipe and to a heat source. Heat from the heat source can be transferred through the secondary heat pipe to the primary heat pipe and to the selected strut member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kattalaicheri Srinivasan Venkataramani, Thomas Ory Moniz, Justin P. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 7874137
    Abstract: An anti-ice formation device for a gas turbine engine is configured to be mounted within an inlet duct of the engine, and adjacent the gas turbine engine compressor inlet. The device is configured to selectively receive a flow of compressed air that is discharged from the compressor. Because the compressed air is relatively hot, the anti-ice formation device temperature increases to a temperature sufficient to prevent ice accumulation and formation in the engine inlet duct. The anti-ice formation device is also configured such that heat is not transferred to the compressor inlet housing. As a result, the anti-ice formation device does not cause impeller clearance variations, which would adversely affect engine performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Tina H. Chaney, Dave G. Dischinger, Alan G. Tiltman, Dwight D. Vettel
  • Patent number: 7874161
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for effectively removing ice that may have formed on gas turbine engine compressor inlet guide vanes and/or preventing, or at least inhibiting, reformation of ice on gas turbine engine compressor inlet guide vanes after the ice has been removed. A determination is made as to whether flow through the compressor is below a predetermined flow value. If the flow through the compressor is below the predetermined flow value, then the inlet guide vanes are repeatedly moved between at least two predetermined positions to remove ice and/or prevent, or at least inhibit, reformation of ice on the inlet guide vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell R. Williams
  • Publication number: 20110011056
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lip assembly (1) for the air inlet of a turbojet engine nacelle, that comprises an inner surface (9), an outer surface (11) and de-icing means, wherein the de-icing means includes an anti-ice coating (13) covering at least a portion of the outer surface (11), said anti-ice coating (13) including one or more piezoelectric actuators within the matrix of said coating (13). The invention also relates to a turbojet engine nacelle that comprises such a lip assembly (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: AIRCELLE
    Inventor: Thierry Le Docte
  • Publication number: 20110005188
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lip that includes, on the inner surface thereof, an electric de-icing device (11) comprising at least one panel including a cellular structure (13), made of electrically conductive material, and an electrical connection means connected to the cellular structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: AIRCELLE
    Inventor: Christian Roger
  • Publication number: 20100326041
    Abstract: A heated guide vane for turbomachinery includes a guide vane having two major surfaces joined about their periphery by edges and an electric heater element, wherein the electric heater element is secured to at least one major surface of the guide vane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Wayne Garcia Edmondson
  • Publication number: 20100319358
    Abstract: A system includes a first anti-icing electrothermal heater located at tip of a gas turbine engine nosecone, and a plurality of anti-icing electrothermal heater strips extending rearward from the first anti-icing electrothermal heater along the nosecone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Isaac Jon Hogate
  • Patent number: 7828247
    Abstract: An automatic recycling ice detector includes a sensor for sensing the formation of ice on an aircraft surface and a heater for melting the detected ice. The detector also includes a timing circuit for indicating the time to melt any detected ice and automatically recycling the detector when the ice is melted. A computer including a look up table or the like are provided for measuring and indicating the thickness of the accumulated ice based on a relationship between melting time and thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Safe Flight Instrument Corporation
    Inventor: Leonard M. Greene
  • Patent number: 7823374
    Abstract: A heat transfer system is provided for a turbine engine of the type including an annular inlet cowling. The heat transfer system includes at least one heat pipe disposed in contact with an interior of the casing. The heat pipe is thermally coupled to a heat source, such that heat from the heat source can be transferred through the heat pipe and into the inlet cowling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kattalaicheri Srinivasan Venkataramani, Thomas Ory Moniz, Justin P. Stephenson, William Andrew Bailey
  • Publication number: 20100242428
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air intake structure that can be mounted upstream of a nacelle middle structure for an aircraft engine, and that particularly includes: an outer wall (7) including a lip (9) and that can be mounted relative to said middle structure so as to move between a rear position and a front position; a wall (11) defining a de-icing compartment (13) in said lip (9); at least one de-icing collector (15) extending in said compartment (13); and at least one hot-air supply duct (17) of said collector (15), that can be rigidly connected to said middle structure. The wall (11) is tightly secured inside said lip (9), and said supply duct (17) is connected to said collector (15) by removable sealing means (27, 29, 31, 35).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: AIRCELLE
    Inventors: Guy Bernard Vauchel, Stephane Beilliard, Jean-Philippe Dauguet
  • Publication number: 20100236215
    Abstract: A heat transfer system is provided for a turbine engine of the type including an annular casing with an array of generally radially-extending strut members disposed therein. The heat transfer system includes at least one primary heat pipe disposed at least partially inside a selected one of the strut members; at least one secondary heat pipe disposed outside the fan casing and thermally coupled to the at least one primary heat pipe and to a heat source. Heat from the heat source can be transferred through the secondary heat pipe to the primary heat pipe and to the selected strut member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Kattalaicheri Srinivasan Venkataramani, Thomas Ory Moniz, Justin P. Stephenson
  • Publication number: 20100199629
    Abstract: A deicing and anti-icing system for an aircraft engine pod, including an air intake provided with a lip followed by an air intake tubular part, equipped with a first sound attenuating panel, including deicing means having at least one array of resistive heating elements embedded in an insulating material, the deicing means being in the form of a mat incorporating the resistive element in the thickness of the air intake lip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: AIRBUS FRANCE
    Inventors: Gilles Chene, Alain Porte, Jacques Lalane
  • Patent number: 7762054
    Abstract: An addition to the air compressor of a combustion turbine system is disclosed, which chills the inlet air on warm days. The same equipment with minimal modification is used to prevent inlet air icing conditions on cold days. Referring to FIG. 1, inlet air conditioner heat exchanger 3 supplies conditioned (chilled or heated) air to the combustion turbine, and heat recovery unit 1 supplies turbine exhaust heat to ammonia absorption refrigeration unit 2. Control valves 5, 6, 7, and 8 selectively supply either chilling refrigerant liquid or heating vapor from AARU 2 to conditioning heat exchanger coil 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Inventors: Donald Charles Erickson, Gopalakrishnan Anand
  • Patent number: 7762081
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for effectively removing ice that may have formed on gas turbine engine compressor inlet guide vanes and/or preventing, or at least inhibiting, reformation of ice on gas turbine engine compressor inlet guide vanes after the ice has been removed. A determination is made as to whether actual inlet guide vane position differs from the commanded inlet guide vane position by a predetermined amount. If so, then the inlet guide vanes are repeatedly commanded to move in at least two predetermined directions to remove ice that may have formed on the inlet guide vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell R. Williams
  • Publication number: 20100107594
    Abstract: A bleed system for a gas turbine engine includes: (a) a bleed air turbine having a turbine inlet adapted to be coupled to a source of compressor bleed air at a first pressure; (b) a bleed air compressor mechanically coupled to the bleed air turbine, and having a compressor inlet adapted to be coupled to a source of fan discharge air at a second pressure substantially lower than the first pressure; and (c) a mixing duct coupled to a turbine exit of the bleed air turbine and to a compressor exit of the bleed air compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: George Albert Coffinberry, Kevin Richard Leamy
  • Publication number: 20100101206
    Abstract: A de-icer device for de-icing an air inlet of a gas turbine, such as a helicopter turbine engine. The de-icer device includes an essentially metallic enclosure for admitting air into the engine, the enclosure including a first opening for admitting air into the enclosure, the first opening including a first essentially metallic grid, the enclosure further including a second opening for directing the air towards a compression stage of the gas turbine. The de-icer device further includes a wave generator for generating electromagnetic waves in the enclosure at a frequency suitable for causing ice to melt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: TURBOMECA
    Inventors: Edgar Haehner, Eric Royer
  • Publication number: 20100064660
    Abstract: The invention relates to an nacelle member (1) comprising at least one mobile cowling (2) pivotally or slidably mounted in an essentially longitudinal direction of the nacelle, capable of displacement between an expanded position and a closed position relative to a fixed structure of the nacelle member (1) through at least one pivoting or translation guiding sleeve (4, 7) that receives a guiding shaft (5, 6). An electric heating de-icing device (9, 13) is provided inside the guiding shaft or defines an interface between the guiding shaft (5, 6) and the guiding sleeve (4, 7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: AIRCELLE
    Inventors: Guy Bernard Vauchel, Jean Paul Rene Andre Hogie
  • Publication number: 20100043390
    Abstract: A turbofan engine deicing system includes a core nacelle (12) housing a turbine. A turbofan (20) is arranged upstream from the core nacelle. A controller (50) manipulates the turbofan in response to detecting an icing condition for avoiding undesired ice buildup on the turbofan engine (10) and nacelle parts. In one example, a variable area nozzle (40) is actuated to generate pressure pulses or a surge condition to break up any ice buildup. The icing condition can be determined by at least one sensor (52) and/or predicted based upon icing conditions schedules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Ashok K. Jain, Michael Winter
  • Patent number: 7658077
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system (2) for deicing an aircraft turbine engine inlet cone (4) comprising air-diffusing means (18) intended to equip the inlet cone of the turbine engine so as to deliver hot air thereto. According to the invention, it also comprises a circuit (20) for removing pressurizing air from at least one bearing enclosure of the turbine engine, this circuit communicating with the air-diffusing means in order to be able to supply the latter with hot air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Thomas Julien Roland Earith, Jean-Yves Picart
  • Patent number: 7647761
    Abstract: The turbojet has a bearing which supports, in rotation and in thrust, a low-pressure compressor shaft of axis Z-Z of the engine. The bearing is lubricated with oil by means of two nozzles. A feed tube is fastened to the nose cone of the engine. This tube connects the low-pressure compressor shaft to the engine nose cone. A skin lines the wall of the engine nose cone, leaving a passage for the circulation of oil. A plurality of radial oil return tubes are placed between the most eccentric part of the skin relative to the Z-Z axis and the bearing, for returning the oil to the bearing. The return of the oil into the bearing is located at a distance R from the Z-Z axis larger than the radius r of the feed tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Gerard Philippe Gauthier, Laurent Gille, Serge Rene Morreale, Jean-Yves Picart
  • Publication number: 20090272095
    Abstract: A leading edge structure for use in an aerospace vehicle includes a body having a flowpath surface which defines a leading edge adapted to face an air flow during operation; and a metallic icephobic plating comprising nickel applied to at least a portion of the flowpath surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Edward Atwood Rainous, Barry Lynn Allmon, Jeffre Gerry Loewe, William Clarke Brooks, Lee Alan Blanton, Courtney James Tudor, Vicky Showalter Budinger
  • Publication number: 20090272850
    Abstract: A leading edge structure for use in an aerospace vehicle includes a body having a flowpath surface which defines a leading edge adapted to face an air flow during operation, and an opposed inner surface. The body is segmented into a plurality of portions having varying thermal properties and/or mechanical discontinuities, so as to promote stress concentrations in ice attached to the flowpath surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Edward Atwood Rainous, Barry Lynn Allmon, Jeffre Gerry Loewe, William Clarke Brooks, Lee Alan Blanton, Courtney James Tudor, Vicky Showalter Budinger
  • Publication number: 20090260341
    Abstract: An engine inlet ice protection system and method for ice protection includes a plurality of grouped structural elements having electrical components that provide ice protection where power is cycled to the groups of structural elements so that at a given time the ice protection elements receiving power are generally distributed throughout the engine inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Isaac Jon Hogate, Christian A. Carroll
  • Publication number: 20090241509
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is disclosed that includes an inlet case having circumferentially spaced, radially extending inlet struts. Each inlet strut has a leading and trailing end. Spaced apart sidewalls adjoin the leading and trailing ends. A first heating element is arranged on the leading end. A second heating element is arranged on at least one of the sidewalls. The first heating element is configured to provide a different amount of energy per unit of time than the second heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: Isaac Jon Hogate