Electromechanical Deicing of Helicopter Structures with Integrated Ice Detection by Impedance Measurement
Publication: Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 37, Issue 1
Abstract
To operate small and medium-sized helicopters even under critical icing conditions, new deicing technologies are necessary because the existing heating solutions cannot be economically downscaled without drastically reducing the helicopters’ payload. Therefore, this paper investigates the potential of a low-frequency electromechanical deicing (EMDI) system for an actual fiber composite helicopter structure and its combination with an ice detection system that uses the EMDI components for ice detection. The primary objective of this study is the design of the deicing system for a given helicopter structure and its evaluation under realistic icing conditions. Experimental and numerical modal analyses are used to analyze the vibration behavior of the structure and to select favorable positions and phase relations for the actuators. To determine the performance of the EMDI system, experimental deicing tests were performed in a deicing test facility that is able to generate realistic icing conditions. The EMDI system can cause delaminations and cracks in glaze ice layers and partially remove the ice on the test object. The results show that there is an upper and lower limit for ice thickness at which the system is effective. Therefore, the system needs to be combined with an ice detection system that is capable of measuring the ice thickness on the surface of the structure. Using the piezoelectric actuators of the EMDI, this can be achieved by monitoring their impedance changes, which is experimentally proven for different ice thicknesses and different temperatures on a carbon fiber composite plate. The findings of this study support the idea of a combined ice detection and deicing system using the same hardware components. Integrating an autonomous control system, local icing phenomena on a rotorcraft structure can be detected and consequently, ice accretion can be removed with low energy consumption.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Most data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Some data used during the study were provided by a third party. Direct requests for these materials may be made to the provider as indicated in the Acknowledgments.
Acknowledgments
The research leading to these results has received funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy under Project No. 20Y1702F (InTEnt-H). The authors also thank Thorsten Koenemann and Eugen Rink from Airbus Helicopters Donauwörth for providing relevant input and a realistic test sample.
Johannes Wiedemann contributed to the conceptualization, methodology, software, validation, formal analysis, investigation, data curation, writing the original draft, writing (review and editing), visualization, supervision, and project administration. Patrick Meyer contributed to the conceptualization, methodology, software, validation, formal analysis, investigation, data curation, writing the original draft, writing (review and editing), visualization, supervision, and project administration. Julia Feder contributed to the conceptualization, methodology, software, validation, formal analysis, investigation, data curation, writing the original draft, writing (review and editing), visualization, and supervision. Michael Sinapius contributed to the resources, writing (review and editing), supervision, project administration, and funding acquisition. Johannes Riemenschneider contributed to the resources, writing (review and editing), project administration, and funding acquisition. Christian Hühn contributed to the resources, writing (review and editing), supervision, project administration, and funding acquisition.
References
Aretxabaleta, L., M. Mateos, J. M. Abete, and A. Aizpuru. 2012. “De-icing of carbon composite plates by piezoelectric actuators.” In Proc., ECCM15—15th European Conf. on Composite Materials, 1–7. Patras, Greece: European Society for Composite Materials.
Bansmer, S. E., A. Baumert, S. Sattler, I. Knop, D. Leroy, A. Schwarzenboeck, T. Jurkat-Witschas, C. Voigt, H. Pervier, and B. Esposito. 2018. “Design, construction and commissioning of the Braunschweig Icing Wind Tunnel.” Atmos. Meas. Tech. 11 (6): 3221–3249. https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-3221-2018.
Baumgardner, D., and A. Rodi. 1989. “Laboratory and wind tunnel evaluations of the rosemount icing detector.” J. Atmos. Ocean Technol. 6 (6): 971–979. https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0426(1989)006%3C0971:LAWTEO%3E2.0.CO;2.
Behr, C., F. Lippmann, P. Wierach, and M. Sinapius. 2015. “Tailored multilayer stack actuators for harsh environment.” In Proc., 7th ECCOMAS Thematic Conf. on Smart Structures and Materials. Lisbon, Portugal: European Community on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences.
Bernstein, B. C., T. P. Ratvasky, D. R. Miller, and F. McDonough. 2000. Freezing rain as an in-flight icing hazard. NASA/TM-2000-210058. Washington, DC: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
BETE Fog Nozzle. 2022. “BETE PJ impingement misting and fogging nozzles: Very fine spray hydraulic atomizing nozzles.” Accessed December 22, 2022. https://bete.com/product/pj/.
Braid, J., P. van Wie, and J. Rex. 2011. “Using the TAMDAR sensor for in-flight ice detection and improved safety of flight.” In SAE technical paper series. Warrendale, PA: SAE International.
Breitfuß, W., M. Wannemacher, F. Knöbl, and H. Ferschitz. 2020. “Aerodynamic comparison of freezing rain and freezing drizzle conditions at the RTA icing wind tunnel.” SAE Int. J. Adv. Curr. Pract. Mobility 2 (1): 245–255. https://doi.org/10.4271/2019-01-2023.
Budinger, M., V. Pommier-Budinger, L. Bennani, P. Rouset, E. Bonaccurso, and F. Dezitter. 2018. “Electromechanical resonant ice protection systems: Analysis of fracture propagation mechanisms.” AIAA J. 56 (11): 4412–4422. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.J056663.
Budinger, M., V. Pommier-Budinger, G. Napias, and A. Da Costa Silva. 2016. “Ultrasonic ice protection systems: Analytical and numerical models for architecture tradeoff.” J. Aircr. 53 (3): 680–690. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.C033625.
Cao, Y., G. Li, and R. A. Hess. 2012. “Helicopter flight characteristics in icing conditions.” Aeronaut. J. 116 (1183): 963–979. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0001924000007375.
Chu, M. C., and R. J. Scavuzzo. 1991. “Adhesive shear strength of impact ice.” AIAA J. 29 (11): 1921–1926. https://doi.org/10.2514/3.10819.
Di Lanza Scalea, F., and S. Salamone. 2008. “Temperature effects in ultrasonic Lamb wave structural health monitoring systems.” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 124 (1): 161–174. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.2932071.
DiPlacido, N., J. Soltis, and J. Palacios. 2016. “Enhancement of ultrasonic de-icing via tone burst excitation.” J. Aircr. 53 (6): 1821–1829. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.C033761.
Endres, M. 2019. “Autonomes Enteisen mittels resonanter Strukturanregung.” Dissertation thesis, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig.
Endres, M., H. Sommerwerk, C. Mendig, M. Sinapius, and P. Horst. 2017. “Experimental study of two electromechanical deicing systems applied on a wing section tested in an icing wind tunnel.” CEAS Aeronaut. J. 8 (3): 429–439. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13272-017-0249-0.
European Union Aviation Safety Agency. 2021. Certification specifications, acceptable means of compliance and guidance material for large rotorcraft (CS-29): Amendment 9. Cologne, Germany: European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
Federal Aviation Administration. 2015. AC 91-74B-Pilot guide: Flight In Icing conditions. Washington, DC: Federal Aviation Administration.
Federal Aviation Administration. 2023. 14 CFR Part 29 (up to date as of 2/23/2023): Airworthiness standards: Transport category rotorcraft. Washington, DC: Federal Aviation Administration.
Felsberger, R., B. Schweighofer, M. Flatscher, M. Rath, M. Grubmuller, and H. Wegleiter. 2018. “Low power ice detection with capacitive and impedance spectroscopy-based measurements.” In Proc., 2018 IEEE 27th Int. Symp. on Industrial Electronics (ISIE), 809–813. New York: IEEE.
Ferschitz, H., M. Wannemacher, O. Bucek, F. Knöbel, and W. Breitfuß. 2017. “Development of SLD capabilities in the RTA icing wind tunnel.” SAE Int. J. Aerosp. 10 (1): 12–21. https://doi.org/10.4271/2017-01-9001.
Flatscher, M., M. Neumayer, and T. Bretterklieber. 2017. “Field sensor analysis for electrical impedance spectroscopy based ice detection.” In Proc., 2017 IEEE Sensors, 1–3. New York: IEEE.
Flatscher, M., M. Neumayer, T. Bretterklieber, and B. Schweighofer. 2016. “Measurement of complex dielectric material properties of ice using electrical impedance spectroscopy.” In Proc., 2016 IEEE Sensors, 1–3. New York: IEEE.
Gastaldo, G., V. Palanque, M. Budinger, and V. Pommier-Budinger. 2022. “Stress and energy release rate influence on ice shedding with resonant electromechanical deicing systems.” In Proc., ICAS 2022-33rd Congress of the Int. Council of the Aeronautical Sciences. Bonn, Germany: International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences.
Gent, R. W., N. P. Dart, and J. T. Cansdale. 2000. “Aircraft icing.” Philos. Trans. R. Soc. London, Ser. A 358 (1776): 2873–2911. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2000.0689.
Gloth, G., and M. Sinapius. 2004. “Analysis of swept-sine runs during modal identification.” Mech. Syst. Signal Process. 18 (6): 1421–1441. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0888-3270(03)00087-6.
Gómez Muñoz, C. Q., F. P. García Márquez, and J. M. Sánchez Tomás. 2016. “Ice detection using thermal infrared radiometry on wind turbine blades.” Measurement 93 (Nov): 157–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2016.06.064.
Habibi, H., G. Edwards, L. Cheng, H. Zheng, A. Marks, V. Kappatos, C. Selcuk, and T.-H. Gan. 2015. “Developing a novel ice protection system for wind turbine blades using vibrations of both short and long wavelengths.” In SAE technical paper series. Warrendale, PA: SAE International.
Han, Y. 2015. “Aerodynamics and thermal physics of helicopter ice accretion.” Dissertation thesis, College of Engineering, Pennsylvania State Univ.
Homola, M. C., P. J. Nicklasson, and P. A. Sundsbø. 2006. “Ice sensors for wind turbines.” Cold Reg. Sci. Technol. 46 (2): 125–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2006.06.005.
Jellinek, H. 1959. “Adhesive properties of ice.” J. Colloid Sci. 14 (3): 268–280. https://doi.org/10.1016/0095-8522(59)90051-0.
Kalkowski, M. K. 2015. “Piezo-actuated structural waves for delaminating surface accretions.” Dissertation thesis, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, Univ. of Southampton.
Kandagal, S. B., and K. Venkatraman. 2005. “Piezo-actuated vibratory deicing of a flat plate.” Proc., 46th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference. Reston, VA, AIAA.
Labeas, G. N., I. D. Diamantakos, and M. M. Sunaric. 2006. “Simulation of the electroimpulse de-icing process of aircraft wings.” J. Aircr. 43 (6): 1876–1885. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.21321.
Laforte, C., and J.-L. Laforte. 2012. “Deicing strains and stresses of iced substrates.” J. Adhes. Sci. Technol. 26 (4–5): 603–620. https://doi.org/10.1163/016942411X574790.
Loughborough, D. L., and E. G. Haas. 1946. “Reduction of the adhesion of ice to de-icer surfaces.” J. Aeronaut. Sci. 13 (3): 126–134. https://doi.org/10.2514/8.11328.
Melcher, J. 2001. “Adaptive Impedanzregelung an strukturmechanischen Systemen.” Dissertation thesis, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität.
Nampoothiri, K. N., M. S. Bobji, and P. Sen. 2020. “De-icing device with self-adjusting power consumption and ice sensing capabilities.” J. Microelectromech. Syst. 29 (4): 562–570. https://doi.org/10.1109/JMEMS.2020.3004502.
OMICRON Electronics. 2021. “Technical data sheet Bode 100: Revision 2: Vector network analyzer.” Accessed January 18, 2023. https://www.omicron-lab.com/fileadmin/assets/Bode_100/Documents/Bode_100_R2_Technical_Data_V1.3.pdf.
Palacios, J., E. Smith, J. Rose, and R. Royer. 2011. “Ultrasonic de-icing of wind-tunnel impact icing.” J. Aircr. 48 (3): 1020–1027. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.C031201.
Parent, O., and A. Ilinca. 2011. “Anti-icing and de-icing techniques for wind turbines: Critical review.” Cold Reg. Sci. Technol. 65 (1): 88–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2010.01.005.
Perry, D. 2022. “Rega and Leonardo helicopters abandon plans for FIPS-equipped AW169.” Accessed May 4, 2023. https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/rega-and-leonardo-helicopters-abandon-plans-for-fips-equipped-aw169/150381.article.
Petrovic, J. J. 2003. “Review mechanical properties of ice and snow.” J. Mater. Sci. 38 (1): 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021134128038.
PI (Physik Instrumente). 2021a. “DuraAct piezoelectric patch transducer: Datasheet.” Accessed April 17, 2023. https://www.piceramic.com/fileadmin/user_upload/physik_instrumente/files/BRO/PI-BRO07E-R2-DuraAct-Piezoelectric-Patch-Transducer.pdf.
PI (Physik Instrumente). 2021b. “Material data: Specific parameters of the standard materials.” Accessed April 17, 2023. https://www.piceramic.de/fileadmin/user_upload/physik_instrumente/files/datasheets/PI_Ceramic_Material_Data.pdf.
Pohl, M., J. Feder, and J. Riemenschneider. 2023. “Lamb-wave and impedance based ice accretion sensing on airfoil structures.” In Sensors and smart structures technologies for civil, mechanical, and aerospace systems 2023, edited by Z. Su, M. P. Limongelli, and B. Glisic, 37. Bellingham, WA: SPIE.
Pommier-Budinger, V., M. Budinger, P. Rouset, F. Dezitter, F. Huet, M. Wetterwald, and E. Bonaccurso. 2018. “Electromechanical resonant ice protection systems: Initiation of fractures with piezoelectric actuators.” AIAA J. 56 (11): 4400–4411. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.J056662.
Reiber, M. 1998. Moderne Flugmeteorologie: Wissen, Praxis, Flugsicherheit. 2nd ed. Thun, Switzerland: Harri Deutsch.
Reich, A. 1991. “Comparison of rime and glaze deformation and failure properties.” In Proc., 29th Aerospace Sciences Meeting. Reston, VA: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Rossow, C.-C., K. Wolf, and P. Horst, eds. 2014. Handbuch der Luftfahrzeugtechnik. München, Germany: Hanser.
Schulz, M. 2016. “Zeitabhängigkeit der Eisadhäsionsfestigkeit.” Dissertation thesis, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig.
Sinapius, J. M. 2021. Adaptronics—Smart structures and materials. Berlin: Springer.
Struggl, S., J. Korak, and C. Feyrer. 2011. “A basic approach for wing leading deicing by smart structures.” In Sensors and smart structures technologies for civil, mechanical, and aerospace systems 2011, edited by M. Tomizuka. Bellingham, WA: SPIE.
Tarquini, S., C. Antonini, A. Amirfazli, M. Marengo, and J. Palacios. 2014. “Investigation of ice shedding properties of superhydrophobic coatings on helicopter blades.” Cold Reg. Sci. Technol. 100 (Mar): 50–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2013.12.009.
Venna, S. V., and Y.-J. Lin. 2006. “Mechatronic development of self-actuating in-flight deicing structures.” IEEE/ASME Trans. Mechatron. 11 (5): 585–592. https://doi.org/10.1109/TMECH.2006.882990.
Venna, S. V., Y.-J. Lin, and G. Botura. 2007. “Piezoelectric transducer actuated leading edge de-icing with simultaneous shear and impulse forces.” J. Aircr. 44 (2): 509–515. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.23996.
Villeneuve, E., D. Harvey, D. Zimcik, R. Aubert, and J. Perron. 2015. “Piezoelectric deicing system for rotorcraft.” J. Am. Helicopter Soc. 60 (4): 1–12. https://doi.org/10.4050/JAHS.60.042001.
Wiedemann, J., A. Reysler, and M. Sinapius. 2020. “46th European Rotorcraft Forum (ERF 2020).” In Electromechanical deicing system for a non-rotating structure of small and medium sized helicopters. Red Hook, NY: Curran Associates.
Zheng, D., et al. 2022. “Design of capacitance and impedance dual-parameters planar electrode sensor for thin ice detection of aircraft wings.” IEEE Sens. J. 22 (11): 11006–11015. https://doi.org/10.1109/JSEN.2022.3169477.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 37 • Issue 1 • January 2024
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 6, 2023
Accepted: Jul 28, 2023
Published online: Oct 4, 2023
Published in print: Jan 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Mar 4, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Aerospace engineering
- Aircraft and spacecraft
- Building materials
- Cold regions engineering
- Composite structures
- Deicing
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering materials (by type)
- Fabrics
- Ice
- Material mechanics
- Material properties
- Materials engineering
- Measurement (by type)
- Structural behavior
- Structural engineering
- Structures (by type)
- Temperature effects
- Temperature measurement
- Thickness
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.