Control Products, a trusted leader in electronic control technology was contacted by Northwest Airlines requesting assistance in providing a solution to prevent unoccupied aircraft from freezing up while parked in cold climates. Costs for preventing freeze-up include rental of heat carts that provide heat to the interior of aircraft, fuel consumption due to running of aircraft engines to keep planes warm and manpower required to monitor and control cabin temperature. If a plane freezes up, the cost can be several hundred thousand dollars, in addition to aircraft out-of-service expenses.
Control Products, working closely with Northwest Airlines, modified its Cell Comm™ freeze protection product. Cell Comm™ uses cellular phone technology to provide temperature monitoring and alarm notification. Cell Comm™ works independent of the plane’s systems and comes in a small, discrete, weather resistant enclosure. Cell Comm™ monitors high and low temperatures and sends email text messages if the temperature falls outside the user-selected set points. As a result, aircraft maintenance personnel are notified before freeze-up conditions occur.
In addition, labor is saved by eliminating the need to physically visit aircraft to monitor current conditions. Cell Comm™ benefits aircraft owners by reducing energy costs, reducing heat cart rental costs, eliminating repairs due to freeze-up and eliminating the hassles and costs that result from aircraft being out of service.
According to Jim Helgerson, Director of Marketing for Control Products, “Cell Comm provides the benefits of remote monitoring and alarming in applications where technical challenges could not be easily solved and expenditures not easily justified. In the case of Northwest Airlines, Cell Comm paid for its entire program in the second day of operation, saving a commercial airliner from freeze up.” (Northwest Airline references are available upon request.)
Since 1985, Control Products, Inc. has been a leader in electronic control solutions specializing in technology, design, embedded communications, Internet connectivity, and global manufacturing. Its products are used in many commercial and consumer applications around the world. Application examples include controls and embedded communications for food service equipment, HVAC, medical, Industrial, residential security, and freeze protection.
To learn more about all the devices and services offered by Control Products, Inc. visit us online at http://www.controlproductsinc.com
