The most logical ice protection system for light aircraft is electrical. Thermoelectric systems provide the easiest the most logical installation and will have the lowest economic and weight penalties. Current technology now enables us to fit an aircraft with 100 amp to 150 amp alternators producing 50 to 80 volts without a significant weight penalty. These new components and a very efficient thermoelectric heater will permit general aviation aircraft to fly with reliable anti-ice, de-ice systems. This system will be certified as an STC application for any number of general aviation aircraft and the Lancair IV kit plane as a non-hazard de-ice system, allowing a pilot to exit an ice encounter safely. This is the same certification level as the liquid alcohol and pneumatic boot systems currently available.

The new Kelly Aerospace system provides for a thermal de-ice heater for aircraft surfaces, employing a laminate in which flexible expanded graphite foil is an electrical and heat conducting layer that is disposed between an outer heat conducting layer and an electrically insulating layer. This tape is capable of being bonded to any surface of an aircraft structure that is subject to the formation of ice. Flexible graphite foil is well suited, in terms of surface area to volume, for conducting heat and electricity. The wattage required for producing a rapid rise in temperature from ambient to that required to de-ice a large surface area is far less than that required by known electrical metallic heating systems.

Typically electro-thermal deicers require an electrically independent parting strip dividing the heater into two or more heating zones. The Thermawing™ system accomplishes zoning or varying the watt density to provide temperature variations by varying the materials thickness, density or both. Flexible graphite can be sculptured to provide varying watt densities in length or in width to ensure proper ice shedding. This allows a much simpler and less costly installation of the Thermawing system over competitors. Additionally the system itself ends up being simpler and less costly.

To obtain more information, please fill out our Thermawing Information Request Form.