Method of avoiding a grid clogging, a grid and an air intake implementing such a method

1. A method of avoiding clogging of a stationary grid of an air intake in icing conditions, the method comprising:

providing a grid having a mesh with a plurality of elongate elements, including two adjacent elongate elements crossing at a node, each elongate element extending in a long direction (D 1 ) between a first node and a second node;

mounting an anti-icing member around at least one elongate element between the first node and the second node, the anti-icing member having a hollow core with a cross-section corresponding to a cross-section of the at least one elongate element to prevent rotation of the anti-icing member relative to the at least one elongate element;

configuring the anti-icing member to have an upstream portion that splits airflow generally symmetrically in the absence of ice to create two balanced vortices behind the grid that do not induce vibrations in the anti-icing member; and

providing the upstream portion with a tip for capturing ice, such that the upstream portion splits airflow asymmetrically in the presence of ice creating two unbalanced vortices, inducing vibrations in the upstream portion under the effect of the unbalanced vortices generated by the ice being deposited on the anti-icing member.

2. An air intake grid comprising:

a mesh provided with elongate elements, two adjacent elongate elements crossing at a node, a first elongate element extending in a long direction (D 1 ) between a first node and a second node defining a central portion between the first node and the second node, the first elongate element having a cross-section;

at least one anti-icing member surrounding the central portion of the first elongate element, the anti-icing member having a hollow core with a cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of the first elongate element to inhibit rotation relative to the first elongate element, the anti-icing member further having a downstream portion arranged on the first elongate element in a downstream direction, and an elongate and resilient upstream portion that splits airflow generally symmetrically in the absence of ice to create two balanced vortices behind the grid that do not induce vibrations in the anti-icing member, the upstream portion having a tip configured to capture ice, such that the upstream portion splits airflow asymmetrically in the presence of ice creating two unbalanced vortices inducing vibrations in the upstream portion under the effect of the unbalanced vortices as a result of the ice depositing on the upstream portion, the downstream portion being downstream from the upstream portion relative to the flow of air.

3. A grid according to claim 2 , wherein the first elongate element presents a section (S 1 ) that is elliptical, the downstream portion of the anti-icing member having a section (S 2 ) that is elliptical.

4. A grid according to claim 2 , wherein the upstream portion and the downstream portion together form a one-piece part.

5. A grid according to claim 2 , wherein the upstream portion is made of a material selected from the group of elastomers.

6. A grid according to claim 2 , wherein, between two nodes, the first elongate element has a plurality of anti-icing members, with spacing separating adjacent pairs of anti-icing members.

7. A grid according to claim 6 , wherein the spacing includes a cover matching the shape of the first elongate element and separating two downstream portions of two adjacent anti-icing members.

8. A grid according to claim 2 , wherein the first elongate element has a single anti-icing member extending along the central portion.

9. A grid according to claim 2 , wherein each elongate element in contact with the flow of air includes an anti-icing member.

10. An air intake provided with a protective grid, wherein the grid is a grid in accordance with claim 2 .

11. A grid according to claim 5 , wherein the material selected from the group of elastomers has a glass transition temperature on the order of −40° C.

12. An air intake grid comprising:

a mesh having a plurality of elongate members including a first elongate member having a periphery defining a cross section, the plurality of elongate members defining a plurality of nodes at crossing points including first and second nodes at respective crossing points on the first elongate member; and

an anti-icing member having a hollow core with a cross-section corresponding to the cross section of the first elongate member, the anti-icing member including a first portion secured to the periphery of the first elongate member between the first node and the second node to prevent rotation of the anti-icing member relative to the first elongate member, the anti-icing member further including an upstream portion configured to split airflow generally symmetrically in the absence of ice to create two balanced vortices behind the grid that do not induce vibrations in the anti-icing member, the upstream portion having a resilient tip at a first end oriented in an upstream direction relative to a flow of air passing through the grid, the resilient tip being configured to capture ice from an air intake, split airflow asymmetrically and generate unbalanced vortices in the flow of air in response to captured ice, and induce vibrations in response to the generated unbalanced vortices, the anti-icing member further having a streamlined cross-section at a second end oriented in a downstream direction relative to the flow of air so that in the absence of ice the second end does not generate turbulence giving rise to vibrations in the anti-icing member.

13. The grid of claim 12 , wherein the first elongate member has an elliptical cross-section normal to a long axis and the anti-icing member has a corresponding elliptical cross-section at a second end oriented in a downstream direction relative to the flow of air.

14. The grid of claim 12 , further comprising additional anti-icing members arranged about respective members of the plurality of elongate members between respective nodes of the plurality of nodes.

15. The grid of claim 12 , wherein the first portion of the anti-icing member surrounds the first elongate member.

16. The grid of claim 12 , wherein the anti-icing member has a profile with a line of symmetry that is parallel to a direction of the flow of air.

17. The grid of claim 12 , wherein the anti-icing member is threaded about the one of the plurality of elongate members.