Deicing Apparatuses Comprising at least one standoff

Abstract

Apparatuses for and methods of deicing aircraft surfaces, engine inlets, windmill blades and other structures are disclosed. Deicing apparatuses comprising at least one standoff coupled with an actuator and a first region of an inner surface of a skin are disclosed. A standoff can act as a moment arm and can create efficient, tailorable skin bending and acceleration, breaking an ice to skin bond. Integral as well as modular leading edges comprising deicing apparatuses are disclosed.

I claim: 
     
         1 - 20 : (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An aircraft modular leading edge comprising:
 an electro-expulsive deicing apparatus.   
     
     
         22 . The aircraft modular leading edge of claim  1  wherein:
 said electro-expulsive deicing apparatus is coupled with a deicing control system. 
 
     
     
         23 . The aircraft modular leading edge of claim  1  wherein:
 said modular leading edge is a wing leading edge. 
 
     
     
         24 . The aircraft modular leading edge of claim  1  wherein:
 said modular leading edge is an engine inlet leading edge. 
 
     
     
         25 . A method of deicing an aircraft comprising:
 providing an aircraft modular leading edge comprising:
 an electro-expulsive deicing apparatus; and 
   providing a deicing control system; and   creating forces on said modular leading edge with said deicing apparatus;   deicing said modular leading edge.   
     
     
         26 . The method of deicing an aircraft of  claim 25  wherein:
 said modular leading edge is a wing leading edge. 
 
     
     
         27 . The method of deicing an aircraft of  claim 25  wherein:
 said modular leading edge is an engine inlet leading edge.