NASA 1998 SBIR Phase I


PROPOSAL NUMBER: 98-1 01.03-5835

PROJECT TITLE: Thermal Electric Anti-ice De-ice System for Metallic and Composite Air Frame, Air Foil Structures

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)

A thermal-electric anti-ice de-ice system with a heating element of flexible graphite bonded to a heat conducting polyurethane. Flexible graphite is a material that can be altered to the thousandths of an inch to produce a heating element with variable watt density. This heating element can then be zoned to produce optimum heat in critical areas of an airfoil or structure.

POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS

The flexible graphite heating element is of such efficiency, light weight and size as to pose no significant changes in aerodynamic performance to most airfoils and structures, making it suitable for most general aviation aircraft. Significant interest is also present in the helicopter industry with their need for de-ice systems on rotor blades requiring a variable watt density from the root to the tip of the blades.Commercial aircraft will also benefit from the huge weight savings for tail section de-icing with the graphite heater vs. bleed air.

NAME AND ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Robert Rutherford
EGC Enterprises, Inc.
8833 Quail Circle
Kirtland , OH 44094

NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR

EGC Enterprises Inc.
140 Parker CT.
Chardon , OH 44024