US 7,586,419 B2
	Ice detection apparatus and method
Aristedis Anthony Ikiades, Crete (Greece); David John Armstrong, Luton (United Kingdom); George Graham Hare, Luton (United Kingdom); and Mary Konstantaki, Crete (Greece)
Assigned to GKN Aerospace Services Limited, East Cowes, Isle of Wight (United Kingdom)
Appl. No. 10/560,755 PCT Filed Jun. 17, 2003, PCT No. PCT/GB03/02600 § 371(c)(1), (2), (4) Date Sep. 11, 2006, PCT Pub. No. WO2004/110865, PCT Pub. Date Dec. 23, 2004.
Claims priority of application No. PCT/GB03/02539 (GB), filed on Jun. 13, 2003.
Prior Publication US 2007/0080789 A1, Apr. 12, 2007
Int. Cl. G08B 19/02 (2006.01); G01W 1/00 (2006.01); G08B 21/00 (2006.01); G01R 27/26 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 340—580  [340/581; 340/601; 340/962; 324/671; 73/170.26]

24 Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting ice accretion comprising: an electromagnetic radiation emitter and a corresponding array of sensors that is closer to the emitter than any other emitter, the emitter being located intermediate of the corresponding array of sensors and at least some of the sensors being located at different distances from the emitter; and a comparator configured to compare a detected intensity of the diffused radiation to a predetermined value and to determine whether the detected intensity is above the predetermined value such that a data processing equipment determines the type of accreted ice.