IP Library › Granted Patent US 12668376
Granted Patent B2
US 12668376 · App. 19/272,209 · Granted Jun 30, 2026

Method of applying ice removal fluid to a folding wing aircraft and method of operating a folding wing aircraft

Inventors: Olivier Belsbois (Bristol, GB); Keith Agmen (Bristol, GB); Timothy Clark (Bristol, GB)
Assignee: Airbus Limited Operations
B64F5/23B64C3/56
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12668376
App. No.
19/272,209
Granted
Jun 30, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of applying an ice-removal fluid ( 113 ) to a folding wing aircraft ( 100 ) is described, the method comprising applying the ice-removal fluid ( 113 ) to the folding wing portion ( 103 ) and holding the folding wing portion in an over-folded position ( 111 ) once the ice-removal fluid ( 113 ) has been applied. A method of operating an aircraft ( 100 ) during ground based operations is further described using the method of applying an ice-removal fluid ( 113 ).

Claims (15)

1 . Method of applying an ice-removal fluid to a folding wing aircraft, the method comprising:

a) applying the ice-removal fluid to the folding wing portion;

and

b) holding the folding wing portion in an over-folded position once the ice-removal fluid has been applied.

2 . Method of claim 1 , wherein the step of applying ice-removal fluid is carried out when the folding wing portion is positioned in an unfolded position.

3 . Method of claim 1 , wherein the step of applying ice-removal fluid is carried out when the folding wing portion is positioned in an overfolded position.

4 . Method of claim 1 , wherein the step of applying ice-removal fluid is carried out when the folding wing portion is positioned between a fully unfolded position and an overfolded position.

5 . Method of claim 1 , wherein the angle between the folding wing portion and the fixed wing portion in the over-fold position is more than 90 degrees.

6 . Method of operating an aircraft during ground based operations comprising the steps of:

a) positioning the aircraft at an off-stand location and applying an ice-removal fluid to a folding wing portion of the aircraft in accordance with claim 1 ; and

b) positioning the aircraft in at the aircraft stand once the ice removal fluid has been applied.

7 . Method of operating an aircraft during ground based operations comprising the steps of:

a) positioning the aircraft at an aircraft stand and applying an ice-removal fluid to a folding wing of the aircraft in accordance with claim 1 ;

positioning the aircraft at an off-stand location once the ice removal fluid has been applied.

8 . Method of claim 1 , wherein the angle between the folding wing portion and the fixed wing portion in the over-fold position is at least 135 degrees.