Patent ID: 6145787
Filing Date: 2000-11-14
Classification: B64D,F01D,F03D,F05B,F05D,H05B,Y02E,Y02T

Abstract:
A method for heating the surface of a wind energy turbine blade comprising:providing a pre-formed fabric heater element consisting of an inner layer composed of a fabric of electrically conductive fibers laminated between two fiberglass/resin layers; two outer layers of dielectric material disposed on opposing surfaces of said inner layer and encapsulating said inner layer, and electrical leads connected to said conductive fibers and adapted to receive power from a power source;disposing the pre-formed fabric heater element at a predetermined location within or on the surface of the blade, andenergizing the electrically conductive fibers of the pre-formed fabric heater element to distribute heat evenly on the surface of the blade, thereby deicing or preventing ice build-up on the blade.