Method and apparatus for acoustic plate mode liquid-solid phase transition detection

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:868668

Blair, Dianna S ^[1]; Freye, Gregory C ^[2]; Hughes, Robert C ^[1]; Martin, Stephen J ^[1]; Ricco, Antonio J ^[1]

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1. Albuquerque, NM
2. Cedar Crest, NM

A method and apparatus for sensing a liquid-solid phase transition event is provided which comprises an acoustic plate mode detecting element placed in contact with a liquid or solid material which generates a high-frequency acoustic wave that is attenuated to an extent based on the physical state of the material is contact with the detecting element. The attenuation caused by the material in contact with the acoustic plate mode detecting element is used to determine the physical state of the material being detected. The method and device are particularly suited for detecting conditions such as the icing and deicing of wings of an aircraft. In another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided wherein the adhesion of a solid material to the detecting element can be measured using the apparatus of the invention.

• Research Organization: AT&T
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5187980
• OSTI ID: 868668
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
apparatus
acoustic
plate
mode
liquid-solid
phase
transition
detection
sensing
event
provided
comprises
detecting
element
placed
contact
liquid
solid
material
generates
high-frequency
wave
attenuated
extent
based
physical
attenuation
caused
determine
detected
device
particularly
suited
conditions
icing
deicing
wings
aircraft
aspect
adhesion
measured
acoustic plate
particularly suited
acoustic wave
solid material
solid phase
phase transition
detecting element
plate mode
frequency acoustic
element placed
attenuation caused
liquid-solid phase
/73/340/