Patent ID: 9156557
Filing Date: 2015-10-13
Classification: B64D,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of determining an icing potential of an aircraft in an environment, wherein the icing potential provides an indication, or prediction, of the time to, or likelihood of the aircraft experiencing icing conditions, the method comprising: providing a sensor having a surface exposed to the environment and thermally coupled to a heat pump; operating the heat pump to cause heat to flow through the surface; monitoring a temperature of the surface; determining a temperature indicative of ice formation on the surface; determining an environment temperature representative of the temperature of the environment to which the sensor surface is exposed; determining the value of a difference between the environment temperature and the temperature indicative of ice formation, said value representing a proximity to icing conditions of the environment to which the surface is exposed; and determining the icing potential by measuring a rate and direction of change of the value representing the proximity to icing conditions.