Aircraft Air Intake Stator IR De-Icing for Guide Vanes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing de-icing methods for aircraft turboprop air intake modules, such as infrared devices mounted in the nacelle, are inefficient in reaching vanes due to bulkiness and misdirected radiation, leading to potential ice accumulation and damage.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an infrared wave emitting device within the stator members of the air intake module, specifically in structural casing arms and straightener vanes, to emit a directional and intermittent infrared beam directly onto the leading edges of guide vanes, ensuring precise and efficient de-icing without energy wastage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an infrared device is mounted in the nacelle to heat the walls of the air inlet, then the de-icing coverage is improved, but the device bulk increases and the infrared radiation cannot reach the vanes in the air vein
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared de-icing system is segmented into multiple independent infrared sources distributed along the air vein, with each source targeting specific vanes or regions. This segmentation allows the system to maintain effectiveness while reducing the bulk of any single device and improving radiation delivery to the vanes.
2Reliability
If an infrared device is mounted in the nacelle to heat the walls of the air inlet, then the de-icing coverage is improved, but the infrared radiation is misdirected and cannot reach the vanes
Solution Approach 1:
Each infrared source is positioned and oriented to provide localized heating to specific vanes or regions within the air vein. This local quality approach ensures that infrared radiation is precisely directed at the vanes that need de-icing, rather than attempting to heat the entire air inlet structure.
3Reliability
If continuous infrared radiation is used for de-icing, then the de-icing effectiveness is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared sources operate periodically rather than continuously, with each source being activated only when its corresponding vane or region requires de-icing. This periodic operation maintains effective de-icing while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation of all sources.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides localized, efficient, and low-energy de-icing of guide vanes, reducing the risk of ice accumulation and damage by directing infrared radiation precisely where needed, thus maintaining aerodynamic performance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one stator member comprises an infrared wave emitting device configured to emit an infrared beam on the leading edge of at least one of the guide vanes
Data Source
AI summary
An air intake module for an aircraft turbomachine extending along a longitudinal axis oriented from upstream to downstream and including an inner wall and an outer wall defining together a vein for circulating an air flow, a plurality of guide vanes of the air flow extending radially in the vein and each comprising an upstream leading edge, at least one stator member fixedly mounted on the inner wall and on the outer wall and extending radially in the vein upstream of the guide vanes, the stator member comprising an infrared wave emitting device configured to emit an infrared beam on the leading edge of at least one of the guide vanes for de-icing it.