Aircraft Deicing System Components

Deicing System Components (typical): Some of the main components in a pneumatic deicer system are the air pump (vacuum pump), vacuum regulator, pressure control valve, timer module, and deicer boots. The vacuum pump is normally used to create a vacuum for operating the flight instruments. The output side of the pump provides air pressure which is used to inflate the deicer boots. The oil separator, previously de­scribed, is used only with the older style vacuum pumps and its purpose is to separate the oil from the air to prevent oil from being blown overboard and deterioration of the deicer boots. The amount of vacuum applied to the deice boots and the instruments is controlled by the vacuum regula­tor. Likewise, the amount of pressure allowed in the system is controlled by the pressure control valve. The timer module is normally activated by a switch in the cockpit which sequences the deicer boots through one complete deice cycle. On some systems the center deice boot cells or tubes are activated by the timer, then deflated, and the outer tubes are inflated. Normally, after one complete cycle, the system returns to off, which applies vacuum to the cells or tubes until another cycle is called for by the pilot. Other components include filters, valves and miscellaneous tubing and lines.