A multilayer thermoformable film to protect the surface of a workpiece includes an underlayer having first and second faces. The underlayer is made from an adhesive material configured to adhere to the surface of the workpiece by the first face. At least one layer of polymer material is attached to the second face of the adhesive underlayer. The layer of polymer material is resistant to erosion by solid particles and to erosion by liquid particles. It is formed from a polymer material chosen from a polyurethane, a polyether ether ketone and a polyethylene having a very high molecular weight, with a Shore D hardness of between 50 and 65 D. A method of surface protection of the workpiece includes thermoforming the film in a shape adapted to match the shape of at least a portion of the workpiece and applying the film thermoformed onto the surface of the workpiece.

A blade de-icing system for a blade to be de-iced that has a body extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge, said leading edge ending at an apex. The system includes a de-icer component having a recess formed therein and being positioned on said leading edge of said blade so that said de-icer component covers and extends away from said apex and so that said recess is positioned at said apex of said leading edge; and an anti-erosion strip provided in said recess of said de-icer component; wherein said anti-erosion strip and said recess are sized and shaped such that said anti-erosion strip fits within said recess so that outer surface of said anti-erosion strip is flush with the outer surface of said de-icer component. A method of manufacturing the same is also described herein.

A way of using narrowband irradiation to de-ice or release ice from a surface is provided. The methodology can be applied to a range of different types of de-icing from windshield de-icing to aircraft wing de-icing to releasing ice from the ice tray of an ice making machine. While there are many different specific applications, the concept and methodologies taught remain similar across all of them.

A way of using narrowband irradiation to de-ice or release ice from a surface is provided. The methodology can be applied to a range of different types of de-icing from windshield de-icing to aircraft wing de-icing to releasing ice from the ice tray of an ice making machine. While there are many different specific applications, the concept and methodologies taught remain similar across all of them.

Method, system, and aircraft for providing anti-ice protection including a supply of ferrofluid that is flowed out of orifices along a first region of an aerodynamic surface. The flowed ferrofluid is urged toward an aperture on a second region. The aperture is arranged relative to a magnetic field generator. A magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator attracts the ferrofluid into the aperture while water droplets carried by the ferrofluid continue past the aperture.

An assembly for connecting an air connection fitting to a pneumatic de-icer of an aircraft includes a molded base and a machined insert. The molded base includes a flexible material and forms a sealing interface with a portion of the pneumatic de-icer. The machined insert is set into the molded base and includes a radially inward threaded surface that forms an opening extending axially through the machined insert. The radially inward threaded surface is configured to mate with a terminal end of the air connection fitting.

An assembly for connecting an air connection fitting to a pneumatic de-icer of an aircraft includes a molded base and a machined insert. The molded base includes a flexible material and forms a sealing interface with a portion of the pneumatic de-icer. The machined insert is set into the molded base and includes a radially inward threaded surface that forms an opening extending axially through the machined insert. The radially inward threaded surface is configured to mate with a terminal end of the air connection fitting.

A method of operating an aircraft engine having a bladed rotor coupled thereto during an icing condition is provided. The method comprises controlling the aircraft engine to alternatingly achieve an ice accretion rotational speed of the bladed rotor at which ice accretion on blades of the bladed rotor occurs, and a reduced rotational speed of the bladed rotor to promote ice shedding from the blades of the bladed rotor. The reduced rotational speed is lower than the ice accretion rotational speed.

A method of operating an aircraft engine having a bladed rotor coupled thereto during an icing condition is provided. The method comprises controlling the aircraft engine to alternatingly achieve an ice accretion rotational speed of the bladed rotor at which ice accretion on blades of the bladed rotor occurs, and a reduced rotational speed of the bladed rotor to promote ice shedding from the blades of the bladed rotor. The reduced rotational speed is lower than the ice accretion rotational speed.

An injector head for an anti-icing system may comprise a body configured to receive a pressurized gas, wherein the body is configured to provide the pressurized gas through a bulkhead into an interior volume of a D-duct, a first nozzle configured to generate a first flow of a first portion of the pressurized gas, a second nozzle configured to generate a second flow of a second portion of the pressurized gas, and a third nozzle configured to generate a third flow of a third portion of the pressurized gas, wherein the first nozzle is located at a distal end of the body relative to the bulkhead, and wherein a first hydraulic diameter of the first nozzle is less than each of a second hydraulic diameter of the second nozzle and a third hydraulic diameter of the third nozzle.