Maintenance on pneumatic deicing systems varies with each aircraft model. The instructions of the airframe or system components manufacturer should be followed in all cases. Depending on the aircraft, maintenance usually consists of operational checks, adjustments, troubleshooting, and inspection.
Operational Checks
An operational check of the system can be made by operating the aircraft engines or by using an external source of air. Most systems are designed with a test plug to permit ground checking the system without operating the engines. When using an external air source, make certain that the air pressure does not exceed the test pressure established for the system. Before turning the deicing system on, observe the vacuumoperated instruments. If any of the gauges begin to operate, it is an indication that one or more check valves have failed to close and that reverse flow through the instruments is occurring. Correct the difficulty before continuing the test. If no movement of the instrument pointers occurs, turn on the deicing system.
With the deicer system controls in their proper positions, check the suction and pressure gauges for proper indications. The pressure gauge fluctuates as the deicer tubes inflate and deflate. A relatively steady reading should be maintained on the vacuum gauge. It should be noted that not all systems use a vacuum gauge. If the operating pressure and vacuum are satisfactory, observe the deicers for actuation. With an observer stationed outside the aircraft, check the inflation sequence to be certain that it agrees with the sequence indicated in the aircraft maintenance manual. Check the timing of the system through several complete cycles. If the cycle time varies more than is allowable, determine the difficulty and correct it. Inflation of the deicers must be rapid to provide efficient deicing. Deflation of the boot being observed should be completed before the next inflation cycle. [Figure 1]
With the deicer system controls in their proper positions, check the suction and pressure gauges for proper indications. The pressure gauge fluctuates as the deicer tubes inflate and deflate. A relatively steady reading should be maintained on the vacuum gauge. It should be noted that not all systems use a vacuum gauge. If the operating pressure and vacuum are satisfactory, observe the deicers for actuation. With an observer stationed outside the aircraft, check the inflation sequence to be certain that it agrees with the sequence indicated in the aircraft maintenance manual. Check the timing of the system through several complete cycles. If the cycle time varies more than is allowable, determine the difficulty and correct it. Inflation of the deicers must be rapid to provide efficient deicing. Deflation of the boot being observed should be completed before the next inflation cycle. [Figure 1]
 |
| Figure 1. Test equipment used to test a wing deice system (left), and test equipment installed in the aircraft for testing (right). |
Deicing System Adjustments
Examples of adjustments that may be required include adjusting the deicing system control cable linkages, adjusting system pressure relief valves, and deicing system vacuum (suction) relief valves. A pressure relief valve acts as a safety device to relieve excess pressure in the event of regulator valve failure. To adjust this valve, operate the aircraft engines and adjust a screw on the valve until the deicing pressure gauge indicates the specified pressure at which the valve should relieve. Vacuum relief valves are installed in a system that uses a vacuum pump to maintain constant suction during varying vacuum pump speeds. To adjust a vacuum relief valve, operate the engines. While watching the vacuum (suction) gauge, an assistant should adjust the suction relief valve adjusting screw to obtain the correct suction specified for the system.
Troubleshooting of Deicing System
Not all troubles that occur in a deicer system can be corrected by adjusting system components. Some troubles must be corrected by repair or replacement of system components or by tightening loose connections. Several troubles common to pneumatic deicing systems are shown in the left-hand column of the chart in Figure 2. Note the probable causes and the remedy of each trouble listed in the chart. In addition to using troubleshooting charts, operational checks are sometimes necessary to determine the possible cause of trouble.
Problem
|
Causes
(most of which can be identified with a 343 Test Kit)
|
Corrective action(s)
|
Boots
do not inflate
|
•
Open circuit breaker
• Faulty
deflate valve
Solenoid
inoperable:
1.
Improper voltage at solenoid
2.
Blocked air vent in solenoid
3.
Inoperative plunger
Diaphragm
not seated
1.
Blocked vent orifice located in rivet bottom at center of diaphragm
2. Dirty
diaphragm seal area
3. Diaphragm
ruptured
• Two
faulty deice control valves of faulty two-stage regulators
• Faulty
check valve
• Relay
not functioning
• Leak
in system boots
|
• Reset
circuit breaker
• Check
deflate valves as follows:
Solenoid inoperable:
1. Correct
electrical system
2. Clean
with alcohol or replace
3. Clean
with alcohol or replace
Diaphragm
not seated
1. Clean
with .010 diameter wire and alcohol
2. Clean
with blunt instrument and alcohol
3. Replace
valve
• Clean
or replace valve assembly as noted above
• Replace
check valve
• Check
wiring or replace relay
• Repair
as needed
|
Slow
boot inflation
|
• Lines
blocked or disconnected
• Low
air pump capacity
• One
or more deice control valves not functioning properly
• Deflate
valve not fully closed
• Ball
check in deflate valve inoperative
• Leaks
in system or boots
|
• Check
and replace lines
• Replace
air pump
• Clean
or replace valve assembly as noted above
• Clean
or replace valve assembly as noted above
• Clean
check valve or replace deflate valve
|
System
will not cycle
|
• Pressure
in system not reaching specified psi to activate pressure switch
• Leak
in system or boots
• Pressure
switch on deflate valve inoperative
|
• Clean
or replace deice control valve as noted above
• Clean
or replace deflate valve, as noted above
• Repair
as needed, tighten all hose connections
• Replace
switch
|
Slow
deflation
|
• Low
vacuum
• Faulty
deflate valve (indicated by temporary reduction in suction gauge reading)
|
• Repair
as needed
• Clean
or replace valve assembly as noted above
|
No
vacuum for boot hold down
|
• Malfunctioning
deflate valve or deice valve
• Leak
in system or boots
|
• Clean
or replace valve assembly as noted above
• Repair
as needed
|
Boots
will not deflate during cycle
|
• Faulty
deflate valve
|
• Check
and replace valve
|
Boots
appear to inflate on aircraft climb
|
• Vacuum
source for boot hold down inoperative
• Lines
running through pressurized cabin loose or disconnected
|
• Check
operation of ball check in deflate valve
• Check
for loose or disconnected vacuum lines and repair
|
Figure 2. Troubleshooting guide for wing deice system
Inspection
During each preflight and scheduled inspection, check the deicer boots for cuts, tears, deterioration, punctures, and security; during periodic inspections, go a little further and check deicer components and lines for cracks. If weather cracking of rubber is noted, apply a coating of conductive cement. The cement, in addition to sealing the boots against weather, dissipates static electricity so that it does not puncture the boots by arcing to the metal surfaces.
Deice Boot Maintenance
The life of the deicers can be greatly extended by storing them when they are not needed and by observing these rules when they are in service:
- Do not drag gasoline hoses over the deicers.
- Keep deicers free of gasoline, oil, grease, dirt, and other deteriorating substances.
- Do not lay tools on or lean maintenance equipment against the deicers.
- Promptly repair or resurface the deicers when abrasion or deterioration is noted.
- Wrap deice boots in paper or canvas when storing.
Thus far, preventive maintenance has been discussed. The actual work on the deicers consists of cleaning, resurfacing, and repairing. Cleaning should ordinarily be done at the same time the aircraft is washed, using a mild soap and water solution. Grease and oil can be removed with a cleaning agent, such as naptha, followed by soap and water scrubbing. Whenever the degree of wear is such that it indicates that the electrical conductivity of the deicer surface has been destroyed, it may be necessary to resurface the deicer. The resurfacing substance is a black, conductive neoprene cement. Prior to applying the resurfacing material, the deicer must be cleaned thoroughly and the surface roughened. Cold patch repairs can be made on a damaged deicer. The deicer must be relieved of its installed tension before applying the patch. The area to be patched must be clean and buffed to roughen the surface slightly. Patches are glued in place. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for all repairs.
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