CFRP Fan Blade Joule Heating Anti-Icing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anti-icing and de-icing technologies for aircraft engines, such as using bleed air, electrothermal heaters, de-icing boots, coatings, and mechanical vibrations, face challenges like reduced effectiveness at low engine output, complexity, durability issues, and increased weight and maintainability concerns.

Innovation Solution

A fan blade made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) with energizing units on its leading and trailing edges that generate heat by passing current, allowing for adjustable and efficient anti-icing or de-icing with a simple structure, minimizing aerodynamic impact and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If bleed air is used for anti-icing, then the anti-icing function is provided, but the engine output is reduced and fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-icing functionVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal system of bleed air extraction with an electrical heating system. Electric heating elements are embedded in the fan blade leading edge, converting electrical energy directly to thermal energy for anti-icing, thereby eliminating the need to extract high-temperature air from the compressor and avoiding the associated engine output reduction and fuel consumption increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If electrothermal heater is attached to the surface of thin fan member, then heating function is provided, but aerodynamic performance is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-icing functionVSAvoidaerodynamic influence

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds the heating elements within the fan blade structure itself, nesting the anti-icing function inside the aerodynamic surface. The heating elements are integrated into the blade's internal structure or embedded beneath the surface, allowing the aerodynamic outer surface to remain smooth and undisturbed while still providing effective heating for anti-icing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If de-icing boot is attached to the leading edge, then de-icing function is provided, but the structure becomes complicated and maintenance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvede-icing functionVSAvoidmechanical structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex mechanical de-icing boot structure and replaces it with a simplified electrical heating system. By removing the need for inflatable rubber membranes, air supply lines, and mechanical actuation systems, the solution achieves de-icing functionality through embedded heating elements controlled by electrical signals, dramatically reducing structural complexity and maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If coating or nano-structured pins are applied to fan blade, then anti-icing property is improved, but durability becomes a concern

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-icing propertyVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces surface coating methods with embedded electrical heating elements. Instead of relying on external coatings that may degrade, peel, or lose effectiveness over time, the heating elements are integrated within the fan blade structure, providing active thermal management that maintains anti-icing capability throughout the service life of the blade without durability concerns related to coating degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enables efficient anti-icing and de-icing with reduced complexity and weight, maintaining aerodynamic performance while simplifying maintenance and power supply configurations.

Implementation Method 1

the fan blade uses the property of generating heat by passing current through itself

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11396844B2Fan blade, engine, and structure with anti-icing and de-icing functions

Publication Date: 2022.07.26 JAPAN AEROSPACE EXPLORATION AGENCY

AI summary

[Object] To provide a fan blade, an engine, and a structure with anti-icing and de-icing functions, which are capable of efficiently performing anti-icing or de-icing with a simple structure.[Solving Means] A fan blade 8 is disposed on an air inlet 4 side of a jet engine 1 of an aircraft. The fan blade 8 includes a fan blade main body 21 made of a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), and a pair of energizing units 31 and 32 that are provided on a leading edge 24 side and a trailing edge 25 side of a heating region 36 of the fan blade main body 21 and pass current through the fan blade main body 21. Voltage is applied between the pair of energizing units 31 and 32 and current passes through the fan blade main body 21 to heat the fan blade main body 21, thus performing anti-icing or de-icing.