Patent ID: 8944383
Filing Date: 2015-02-03
Classification: B64D

Abstract:
1. A helicopter comprising: a fuselage; and a detecting device for detecting the presence of ice caused by solidification of first supercooled liquid droplets having a characteristic first dimension above a threshold value; said detecting device comprising a first portion for accumulating said first droplets; said first portion being located so as to be visible from inside said fuselage; said detecting device comprising a second portion for accumulating second supercooled liquid droplets having a characteristic second dimension below said threshold value; said second portion being visually distinct from said first portion and located so as to be visible from inside the fuselage; said detecting device further comprising a body in turn comprising a surface swept by said first droplets and said second droplets; said surface of said body defining said first and said second portion; said second portion being located to the front of said first portion in the normal travelling direction of said helicopter; wherein said first portion is bounded between a first and second closed curve lying respectively in a first and second plane distinct from each other; and in that said second portion is bounded, on the side facing said first portion, by a third closed curve lying in a third plane distinct from said first and second plane; said body being spherical and being fixedly attached to said fuselage so that the body does not move relative to said fuselage; said surface comprising at least a spherical portion defining said first and second portion; said first, second, and third closed curves being respectively a first, a second, and a third circle having respective centers along a common first axis; said helicopter further comprising a support projecting from said fuselage and supporting said body at the opposite end to said fuselage; said support being fixedly attached to said fuselage so that the support does not move relative to said fuselage, the support comprising: