Anti-icing, de-icing, and heating configuration, integration, and power methods for aircraft, aerodynamic, and complex surfaces
Anti-icing methods and aerodynamic structures having laminated resistive heaters for de-icing are described. Several of the inventive aspects utilize laminated resistive heaters comprising a carbon nanotube layer and/or capacitors to store and supply electricity. The invention also includes methods of making aerodynamic structures having de-icing or anti-icing functionality.
1 .- 21 . (canceled)
22 . A resistively loaded antenna, comprising:
a CNT layer with varying resistance at differing locations; and
electrical contacts to the CNT layer.
23 . The antenna of claim 22 wherein the antenna is planar.
24 . The antenna of claim 23 wherein the antenna is a patch antenna having a geometry selected from the group consisting of: rectangular, circular, triangular, irregular, fractal and combinations thereof.
25 . The antenna of claim 22 wherein the CNT layer varies in thickness by at least 20% over the length of the antenna.
26 . The antenna of claim 24 wherein the CNT layer varies in thickness by at least 20% over the length of the antenna.
27 . The antenna of claim 23 wherein the antenna is a patch antenna having a rectangular geometry.
28 . The antenna of claim 23 wherein the antenna is a patch antenna having a circular geometry.
28 . The antenna of claim 23 wherein the CNT layer varies in dopant concentration as a function of location.
29 . The antenna of claim 22 wherein the antenna is nonplanar.
30 . The antenna of claim 23 wherein the CNT layer varies in dopant concentration as a function of location.
31 . The antenna of claim 23 wherein the CNT layer has an area and a length and wherein the CNT layer varies in dopant concentration by at least 10% over the area or the length.
32 . The antenna of claim 22 wherein the CNT layer varies in thickness by at least 10% over the length of the antenna.
33 . The antenna of claim 32 wherein the CNT layer has a thickness, width and height, and wherein the thickness is at least ten times smaller than either width or height, at least ten times smaller than either width or height.