Patent ID: 9133714
Filing Date: 2015-09-15
Classification: F01D,F02C,F05D,Y02T

Abstract:
1. An electrothermal heater assembly configured to be embedded inside a component for anti-icing and/or deicing the component, the heater assembly comprising: a titanium foil configured for use as a heating element; at least one reinforcement layer adjacent the titanium foil; and an adhesive configured to bond the titanium foil to the at least one reinforcement layer, wherein the heater assembly is configured such that the titanium foil carries a structural load from and transfers a structural load to the at least one reinforcement layer by being subjected to a surface treatment prior to bonding the titanium foil to the at least one reinforcement layer, and the surface treatment removes mechanically weak oxides and oils on a surface of the titanium foil to facilitate stable bonding; wherein the surface treatment comprises soaking the titanium foil in a nitric acid/hydrofluoric acid solution, treating the titanium foil with a light alkaline cleaner to neutralize the nitric/hydrofluoric acid, etching the titanium foil, cleaning the titanium foil with either ultrasonic water treatment or an acetone wipe, and coating the titanium foil with a resin primer.