CA2453802C - Heater for aircraft cockpit - Google Patents

Heater for aircraft cockpit Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2453802C
CA2453802C CA002453802A CA2453802A CA2453802C CA 2453802 C CA2453802 C CA 2453802C CA 002453802 A CA002453802 A CA 002453802A CA 2453802 A CA2453802 A CA 2453802A CA 2453802 C CA2453802 C CA 2453802C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
heater
heating element
cover
temperature
cockpit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
CA002453802A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2453802A1 (en
Inventor
Roland D. Noordmans
Gary E. Schmidt
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
COLE KRUEGER INVESTMENTS Inc
Original Assignee
Schmidt Aircraft Products, Inc.
Roland D. Noordmans
Gary E. Schmidt
Cole Krueger Investments, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Schmidt Aircraft Products, Inc., Roland D. Noordmans, Gary E. Schmidt, Cole Krueger Investments, Inc. filed Critical Schmidt Aircraft Products, Inc.
Publication of CA2453802A1 publication Critical patent/CA2453802A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2453802C publication Critical patent/CA2453802C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05BELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B3/00Ohmic-resistance heating
    • H05B3/20Heating elements having extended surface area substantially in a two-dimensional plane, e.g. plate-heater
    • H05B3/34Heating elements having extended surface area substantially in a two-dimensional plane, e.g. plate-heater flexible, e.g. heating nets or webs
    • H05B3/36Heating elements having extended surface area substantially in a two-dimensional plane, e.g. plate-heater flexible, e.g. heating nets or webs heating conductor embedded in insulating material
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64DEQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D13/00Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft
    • B64D13/06Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft the air being conditioned
    • B64D13/08Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft the air being conditioned the air being heated or cooled
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05BELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B2203/00Aspects relating to Ohmic resistive heating covered by group H05B3/00
    • H05B2203/011Heaters using laterally extending conductive material as connecting means
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05BELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B2203/00Aspects relating to Ohmic resistive heating covered by group H05B3/00
    • H05B2203/017Manufacturing methods or apparatus for heaters

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Central Heating Systems (AREA)
  • Surface Heating Bodies (AREA)

Abstract

An aircraft cockpit heater in the form of a floor mat is disclosed. the heating element of the heater is designed so that no portion of the heating element will heat to a temperature above a predetermined thresholds said threshold well below the temperature at which combustion can occur.

Description

NEATER F~~R AIRCRAFT C~CKPIT
BAC~CGROZJNI1 ~~' THE I I3TI~ht I. Field of the In'rention This invention relates to heaters for aircraft cockpits. More specifically, this invention re7_ates to a heater in the form of a floor mat that can be used to increase the temperature of the ai.rplaneps cockpit to a point where the cockpit is comfortable for passengers and to the point where cockpit ecguipment will function properly.
II. F3escription of the Re~.ated Art For aircraft to operate properly, the cockpit needs to be brought up to a suitable operating temperature.
This operating temperature is one that will be comfortable for occupants of the cockpit, will allow sled displays to function properly, and will allow other anstrumentatioa~ to operate properly without being adversely affected by cold temperatures.
In the prior art, a number of problems have been encountered when trying to heat cockpits of smaller aircraft. First, prior art heating devices tend to be very conspicuous. ~econda prior art heating devices tend to be designed in such a way that they take up too much of the limited amount of space available in a cockpit.
Third, prior art heaters tend to be portable devices that are placed into the cockpit to preheat the aircraft and then removed from the cockpit before the aircraft is actually used for .fli.g~at.
Another problem with any device used in aircraft is that the device must be used in such a way to essentially eliminate the possibility oa_ any onboard combustion or fire. This increases the difficulty of designing a heater suitable f_or use in aircraft cockpits~

_2_ Si3M~lAR~' C!f THE INVENTI~N
The present invention addresses each of the problems of the prior art outlined above. First, the heater of the present invention is inconspicuous, designed in such a way that it does not take up too much of the cockpit's space, may be placed in the cockpit on a permanent or semi-permanent basis, and is designed in such a way where it will not cause any real risk of fire or combustion.
The present invention is designed in the form of a floor mat in which heating elements are embedded. This design allows the heater to rerriain in the cockpit for extended periods of time and also ensures that .little if any usable space of the cockpit is used by the heater of the present invention.
The heater of the present invention has a durable outside cover. Fmbedded within the cover is a heating element, no portion of whic:~ can exceed a predetermined temperature well below the threshold for causing possible combustion of materials corning into contact with the heater. Further details of the present invention can be derived from a review of the following detailed description of the invention in view of the accompanying drawings.
~RIEE° I~ES~RIPTI~id ~F THE DWINGS
Figure I is a top view of the heater of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional v~_ew o.~ the cover of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the heating element of the present invention.

-~-DETAILED DEBCRIPTIDN ~E THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As shown in the drawings, the present invention includes a cover 2. The cover 1 comprises a base member 2 and a top member 3. Included within the cover 1 are a plurality of channels 4. A relatively flat heating element 5 is positioned within the channels. The heating element 5 is intended to be coupled to a 11~ volt AC
power cord which can be plugged into either the electrical systfam of the aircraft engine preheater or an auxiliary power source during preheating of the aircraft.
Figure 3 shows the construction of the heating element 5. As shown, the heating element 5 has an insulative outer cover 10 and a pair of conductors 11 and 12 running through the inside of the cover 1~. Also located on the inside of the cover 10 and separating the conductors 12 and 12 is a filler 13. The material of the filler 13 is generally non-conductive and non-resistive.
However, embedded within the filler material are a plurality of resistive particles 14. As electrical ~0 current is run through the two conductors 11 and 12, an electrical path is created through the resistive particles 14 causing the heating element 5 to heat. As the heating element 5 heats, the resistive particles 14 move away from each other and away from the conductive members 11 and 12. This is true for all portions of the heating element. Thus, if the ternpera~ture of any portion of the heating element exceeds a predetermined threshold, the resistive particles 14 contained with~_n that portion will be so distant from each other that further heating of that portion the heating element 5 will not occur.
Heating of other portions of the heating element 5 will continue until such time as those portions reach the predetermined threshold.
Applicant has found that a heating element manufactured by Chromalax Inc. to be particularly suitable for use in the present invention. Specifically, the Chromalax SRS 2~-1 type self-regulating medium teariperature cable has proven to be very useful. This heating element 5 uses carbon granules in the filler material such that as the material is heated it expands creating space preventing current flow, thus restricting the heat that can be generated by any portion of the heating element. The above-referenced heating element is rated for 230°. This is well below the temperature at which combustion of materials cax~ or_cur, i , a .
approximately 40U° F.
The foregoing is intended to provide a general outline of the present invention. Further details related to the construction of the floor rnat heater of the present invention are provided b-c-low.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention has overall dimensions of 8.5 inches x 31 inches x 0.4 inches thick. The mat heater of the present invention weighs approximately 1.7 pounds and is capable of producing 250 watts of heat. both the base member 2 and top member 3 of the outer cover 1 are preferably constructed of 134Q silicone. This provides a tough, durable covering for the heater that is capable of sustaining and handling the wear and tear associated with floor mat usage. The channels 4 of the base member provide about 15 linear feet of space in which approximately I5 linear_ feet of heating element 5 can be placed. Once the heating element 5 has been placed within the channels 4 of the base member 2, the top member is secured in place by applying a thin layer of silicone to glue the two members together. Heat curing can be utilized to speed and improve or as an alternative the adhering process. Finally, the mat can be trimmed to the desired size.
Generally speaking, two mats of the type outlined above can be used in an aircraft cockpit, one under the pilot°s seat and one under the co-pilot's seat. The cover 1 is wear-resistant and has good tear strength.
Such an arrangement is capable of increasing the temperature in the cabin by approximately 30° above outside air temperature. Such a temperature increase should generally be adequate to ensure proper operation of cockpit controls and to provide comfort to passengers in the cockpit. Because the device serves as a floor mat, at uses no appreciable space. Given the Light weight, the mat does not unduly increase the weight of the aircraft.
Perhaps one of the most significant features of the present invention relates to the manner in which the heater self-regulates its temperature. As indicated above, each portion of the heater is self-regulating. If one portion of the heater reaches the predetermined temperature, that portion of the heat.i_ng element ceases to increase in temperature. Other portions of the heater, however, continue to increase in temperature until such time that they too reach the predetermined threshold. This is particulaw advantageous given the nature of items that Can rest upon the mat of the present invention. In a typical aircraft environment, one could place jackets, briefcases or the like under the seats.

Onegs feet obviously rest on the floor. Daps, charts and other navigational aids sometimes end up on the floor as do manuals and other kinds of ~nateria~.s.
While all of these items can insulate sections of the heater, those portions of the heater insulated by such items will cease to heat once the predetermined threshold has been reached. since this threshold is approximately 230~ F. and combustion normally begins about 400° F., no such items will be caused to combust by the heater.
In use, the heater of the present invention can be tied to the engine p.reheater and activated when the engine preheater is plugged in. Of course, it can be wired in a separate fashion without undue difficulty.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention can be implemented in a number of different ways. The detailed description of the preferred embodiment outlined above i.s not intended to limiting. Instead, it is intended to meet the requirements of the patent laws and provide an example of how one can embody the present invention. The scope of the invention, however, is defined by the following claims.

Claims (6)

1. A heater for an aircraft cockpit comprising:

a. a cover having a channel sized to receive a heating element;
b. a heating element positioned within said channel of said cove r said heating element having an insulative outer covers at least two conductors, and a filler material separating said conductors and containing resistive particles, wherein the temperature of each portion of the heating element is regulated such that no portion of the heating element will exceed a predetermined threshold which is low enough to prevent combustion of materials coming into contact with said heater.
2. The heater of claim 2 wherein the temperature of each portion of the heater is independently regulated such that portions not yet at the predetermined threshold will continue to heat even if another portion has reached said threshold.
3, The heater of claim 1 wherein said heater is in the form of a floor mat for said aircraft cockpit.
4. The heater of claim 1 wherein said cover is made of silicone.
5. The heater of claim 2 wherein said cover has a base member and a top member joined to each other and surrounding said heating element.
6. The heater of claim 1 wherein said heating element is coupled to a power cord.
CA002453802A 2002-12-30 2003-12-22 Heater for aircraft cockpit Expired - Fee Related CA2453802C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/331,788 US6676027B1 (en) 2002-12-30 2002-12-30 Heater for aircraft cockpit
US10/331,788 2002-12-30

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2453802A1 CA2453802A1 (en) 2004-06-30
CA2453802C true CA2453802C (en) 2007-07-03

Family

ID=29780466

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002453802A Expired - Fee Related CA2453802C (en) 2002-12-30 2003-12-22 Heater for aircraft cockpit

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US6676027B1 (en)
CA (1) CA2453802C (en)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050199233A1 (en) * 2004-03-12 2005-09-15 Butler Gary L. Fireplace hydronic heating
CN102046864B (en) * 2008-05-28 2013-06-12 瑟尔瑞株式会社 Electrically conductive pad and a production method thereof
KR101192550B1 (en) * 2012-01-09 2012-10-17 케이제이알디 (주) Floor heating pannel and pannel assembly for floor heating
US9197906B1 (en) * 2012-09-13 2015-11-24 Rockwell Collins, Inc. Aircraft cabin management system
DE102018132123A1 (en) * 2018-09-14 2020-03-19 Elbe Flugzeugwerke Gmbh Floor system with heating unit
US11224098B2 (en) 2018-11-01 2022-01-11 General Electric Company Systems and methods for passive heating of temperature-sensitive electronic components

Family Cites Families (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2185692A (en) * 1939-06-19 1940-01-02 Benjamin E Lawrence Heating pad
US2619580A (en) 1951-05-10 1952-11-25 Stanley M Pontiere Electrically heated floor cover
US2834862A (en) 1956-06-26 1958-05-13 Cornelius W Meyers Heating element
US3255337A (en) * 1963-09-23 1966-06-07 Arnold F Willat Electrical heating pad for floors
US4654511A (en) * 1974-09-27 1987-03-31 Raychem Corporation Layered self-regulating heating article
US4114620A (en) * 1977-03-02 1978-09-19 Moore-Perk Corporation Patient treatment pad for hot or cold use
CA1116676A (en) 1977-06-10 1982-01-19 Lambert Egger Heat strip or panel
US4247756A (en) 1979-06-29 1981-01-27 Victor Cucinotta Heated floor mat
US4646815A (en) * 1983-12-23 1987-03-03 Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. Heat exchange mat
US4695703A (en) 1986-04-25 1987-09-22 Amark Industries, Inc. Flexible blanket heater
US4817707A (en) * 1986-09-26 1989-04-04 Ryowa Corporation Heating soft floor mat
US5250226A (en) * 1988-06-03 1993-10-05 Raychem Corporation Electrical devices comprising conductive polymers
CA1332733C (en) * 1989-09-29 1994-10-25 Jonathan Kleinsasser Heating pad
US5961869A (en) * 1995-11-13 1999-10-05 Irgens; O. Stephan Electrically insulated adhesive-coated heating element
US6073998A (en) 1996-10-15 2000-06-13 Siarkowski; Bret Seat warmer
US5902518A (en) * 1997-07-29 1999-05-11 Watlow Missouri, Inc. Self-regulating polymer composite heater
US5998770A (en) 1997-12-16 1999-12-07 Sundby; Jeffrey V. Heated automotive bed liner
US6263158B1 (en) * 1999-05-11 2001-07-17 Watlow Polymer Technologies Fibrous supported polymer encapsulated electrical component

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US6676027B1 (en) 2004-01-13
CA2453802A1 (en) 2004-06-30

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