Patent ID: 11964768
Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
Field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy (Electrical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  H | IPC B  H

Claim 11:
12. An ice protection system for a rotor blade, the blade having a leading edge along at least a portion of a spanwise length extending between a root portion and a tip portion, the system comprising:
an electric spanwise anti-ice heater configured for continuous heating during operation and for placement on the leading edge of the blade, the anti-ice heater extending continuously from the tip portion to the root portion and having opposing spanwise edges defining a chordwise width of the anti-ice heater, portions of the spanwise edges extending away from a centerline of the anti-ice heater in alternating directions:
a first electric spanwise de-ice heater having an edge adjacent one of the spanwise edges of the anti-ice heater and having varying chordwise dimensions, the first de-ice heater being configured for intermittent heating during operation and for placement on an upper surface of the blade or a lower surface of the blade; and
electrical connectors for each heater, the connectors being configured for connection near the root portion of the blade to a source of electrical power;
wherein a watt density of at least one of the heaters varies along its spanwise length.