Patent ID: 7246773
Filing Date: 2007-07-24
Classification: B64D,F01D,Y02T

Abstract:
1. An electro-thermal ice protection system for an airfoil comprising: at least one metal foil heater including at least one integral parting strip and a metal foil distinct from said at least one parting strip, said at least one metal foil heater configurable to cover at least a portion of a leading edge of said airfoil with said at least one integral parting strip disposed along an air-stagnation zone of the leading edge and said metal foil extending on both sides of the parting strip, in a cross-sectional view of the airfoil; and a controller coupled electrically to said at least one metal foil heater for controlling electrical energy from a power source to the metal foil of said heater in accordance with a first pulse duty-cycle and for controlling power to said parting strip of said heater to maintain said air-stagnation zone virtually free of ice formation; wherein: the metal foil is exposed to the atmosphere.