US Patent 9321536 Methods and system for deicing a surface

A method that includes receiving data from a sensor that is configured to supply data related to an ice layer thickness on a skin surface, calculating the ice layer thickness, comparing the ice layer thickness to a threshold thickness, vibrating the skin surface using at least one mechanical element for a sufficient duration, sufficient frequency, and sufficient displacement to result in removal of a first portion of the ice layer thereby resulting in at least a partially deiced skin surface, and heating the partially deiced skin surface using at least one heating element. The method further includes heating from a leading edge of the skin surface to a trailing edge of the skin surface and heating the surface to result in a sufficient temperature increase in the skin surface for removal of a second portion of the ice layer.