Patent ID: 8746622

Claim:
A method for de-icing a surface of an aircraft having at least one parting strip heating element in thermal communication with the surface of the aircraft, a plurality of shed zone heating elements in thermal communication with the surface of the aircraft, a power source for heating the at least one parting strip heating element and the plurality of shed zone heating elements, and a controller for directing power from the power source to the at least one parting strip and the plurality of shed zone hating elements, comprising the steps of: directing a first amount of power from the power source to each of the at least one parting strip heating element sufficient to heat a first portion of the aircraft surface adjacent to the parting strip heating element to a first target temperature until such time as said first portion of the aircraft surface reaches the first target temperature, and concurrently directing any residual power, if any, from the power source to one of the plurality of shed zone heating elements; and reducing the amount of power directed to the at least one parting strip heating element to a second amount of power less than the first amount of power; directing an amount of the power from the power source to said one of the plurality of shed zone heating elements sufficient to bring said shed zone heating element to a second target temperature for a scheduled period of time; increasing the amount of power directed to the at least one parting strip heating element to the first amount of power.