Attachable electro-impulse de-icer

An attachable electro-impulse de-icer (40) for de-icing an aircraft structural member includes an inductor coil (42) disposed in proximity with the outer surface of the structural member. The coil (42) is supported by a flexible, ice-accumulating support member (surface ply) (46) that permits the coil (42) to move relative to the structural member. Preferably the coil (42) and support member (46) are formed in an integral construction that can be attached to the leading edge (44) of the structural member. The coil (42) and support member (46) are rapidly, and forcefully, displaced away from the structural member upon passing a short-duration, high-current pulse through the coil (42). The current flow creates an electromagnetic field that induces eddy currents in the support member (if made of metal), and the structural member (if made of metal). Upon collapse of the electromagnetic field in the coil (42), the support member (46) is pulled rapidly to its rest position adjacent the structural member. Alternative arrangements are provided wherein (I) a metal target is disposed in proximity with the outer surface of the coil (II), a metal target is disposed in proximity with the outer surface of the structural member, and (III) an additional target (doubler) is attached to the inner surface of the structural member.