Patent ID: 11874074
Assignee: PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Field: Thermal processes and apparatus (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F | IPC F

Claim 16:
17. A method of using a shape-morphing fin configured to remove an ice formation from a structure, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a fixed portion, a multistable portion, a coupling portion, and a vibration source, the coupling portion couples the fixed portion to the multistable portion, the vibration source is coupled to at least one of the fixed portion, the multistable portion, and the coupling portion, the multistable portion is selectively movable between a first position and a second position, the movement between the first position and the second position is configured to remove the ice formation from the structure;
vibrating the multistable portion through the use of vibration source, thereby engaging the movement of the multistable portion;
removing the ice formation from the structure.