Ice Detector for Aircraft

Abstract

Thickness of ice on aircraft measured by flush-mounted sensor. Detector consists of following: flush-mounted sensor with three separate components, temperature-measuring circuit, configuration of which is based on type of sensor used, two capacitance-measuring circuits, and logic circuit that uses outputs of other three circuits to determine presence of ice and its thickness. Information required to determine whether efforts to remove ice, such as heating or change in flight speed or elevation, should be initiated.