A heated composite structure and a method for forming a heated composite structure. The structure includes carbon fibers embedded within a thermoplastic matrix. The carbon fibers are connected with first and second electrodes that are configured to be connected with an electric source such that applying current to the electrodes causes current to flow through the embedded carbon fibers to provide resistive heating sufficient to heat the composite structure to impede formation of ice on the composite structure.

A heated composite structure and a method for forming a heated composite structure. The structure includes carbon fibers embedded within a thermoplastic matrix. The carbon fibers are connected with first and second electrodes that are configured to be connected with an electric source such that applying current to the electrodes causes current to flow through the embedded carbon fibers to provide resistive heating sufficient to heat the composite structure to impede formation of ice on the composite structure.

A structural element of a means of transport comprising a resistive heater for defrosting operations, wherein the resistor has conduction terminals coupled to respective terminals of a voltage generator adapted to cause a current flux through the resistor. The resistor includes one or more conductive paths of partially reduced graphene oxide or partially oxidized graphene configured to generate, when travelled by the current flux, heat by Joule effect.

Improvements to ice protection systems as disclosed herein include monitoring ice accretion intensity based on atmospheric conditions proximate to a vehicle. Examples of parameters that measure atmospheric conditions include a water content and a size distribution of an atmosphere around a vehicle. These parameters, along with other vehicle parameters, are used to control at least one ice protection element to reduce ice accretion intensity at one or more designated locations of the vehicle. Incorporating measurements of cloud conditions enables nuanced control of the ice protection system and improves overall system efficiency of the vehicle.

Improvements to ice protection systems as disclosed herein include monitoring ice accretion intensity based on atmospheric conditions proximate to a vehicle. Examples of parameters that measure atmospheric conditions include a water content and a size distribution of an atmosphere around a vehicle. These parameters, along with other vehicle parameters, are used to control at least one ice protection element to reduce ice accretion intensity at one or more designated locations of the vehicle. Incorporating measurements of cloud conditions enables nuanced control of the ice protection system and improves overall system efficiency of the vehicle.

An aircraft engine nacelle comprising an icing protection system and an icing protection method for such an aircraft engine nacelle. The aircraft engine nacelle comprises an air inlet comprising a lip, a tubular air inlet piece and an icing protection system. The icing protection system comprises an icing prevention means powered continuously by a first electrical energy source and wholly or partly covering the lip, a de-icing means powered by a second electrical energy source covering the tubular air inlet piece and a controller configured to acquire a current total air temperature value, and control the second electrical energy source as a function of the current total air temperature value.

An aircraft engine nacelle comprising an icing protection system and an icing protection method for such an aircraft engine nacelle. The aircraft engine nacelle comprises an air inlet comprising a lip, a tubular air inlet piece and an icing protection system. The icing protection system comprises an icing prevention means powered continuously by a first electrical energy source and wholly or partly covering the lip, a de-icing means powered by a second electrical energy source covering the tubular air inlet piece and a controller configured to acquire a current total air temperature value, and control the second electrical energy source as a function of the current total air temperature value.

A system and a method include at least one control unit that determines a de-icing time for an aircraft within a de-icing area of an airport, predicts a de-icing time for an aircraft within a de-icing area of an airport, schedules de-icing times for a plurality of aircraft within a de-icing area of an airport, and/or predicts demand for future de-icing operations of aircraft within a de-icing area of an airport.

A system and a method include at least one control unit that determines a de-icing time for an aircraft within a de-icing area of an airport, predicts a de-icing time for an aircraft within a de-icing area of an airport, schedules de-icing times for a plurality of aircraft within a de-icing area of an airport, and/or predicts demand for future de-icing operations of aircraft within a de-icing area of an airport.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for detecting the presence of water or ice on a structure, for example on the surface of an aircraft. A plurality of heaters (202-214) are thermally coupled to a structure (for example on the back of a wing) (104) in order to detect the presence of water or ice on the structure. The heaters are arranged adjacent one another from a GC region of a leading edge (106) of the structure (that is exposable to an impinging airflow) and extending aft of the leading edge of the structure. The heaters, which may be controlled individually, are supplied power that is sufficient to heat the surface of the structure to substantially the same temperature. A controller senses the power required for the heaters to achieve the same surface temperature at the respective regions. By comparing the power consumed by a heater that is aft of the fore-most heater (214), and the power consumed by a heater fore of the aft-most heater (210), a determination of the presence of water or ice can be made if the power consumed by the heater that is aft of the fore- most heater is different to the power consumed by the heater that is fore of the aft-most heater.