Dual-Chamber Icing Detector with EM Melting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice detectors for aircraft are inefficient in accurately detecting ice accretion on aerodynamic surfaces, often leading to false alarms due to ambient pressure changes and require larger ice melting systems with higher power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A device with a dual-chamber design, utilizing an electromagnetic system to melt ice directly on the inlet openings, coupled with a pressure sensor to detect accurate ice accretion, and a surface tension breaker to facilitate ice removal, resulting in a compact, low-power solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single-chamber ice detector design is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot effectively distinguish between ambient pressure changes and ice accretion, leading to false alarms
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is divided into two separate chambers: a reference chamber that measures ambient pressure changes and a measurement chamber that measures total pressure (ambient + ice accretion). By segmenting the measurement function into two independent chambers, the system can distinguish between ambient pressure variations and actual ice accretion, eliminating false alarms while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Measurement precision
If a large chamber volume is used for pressure measurement, then ambient pressure changes can be better averaged, but the device size and drag increase
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement function is segmented between two chambers of optimized volume. The reference chamber and measurement chamber each have sufficient volume to average ambient pressure changes, but the total volume is minimized by using two smaller chambers rather than one large chamber, reducing drag while maintaining measurement stability.
3Reliability
If traditional ice melting systems are used with high power consumption, then ice removal is effective, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic radiation system continuously emits energy at a low level to prevent ice accretion before it becomes significant, rather than requiring high-power melting after ice has formed. This preliminary action approach maintains ice-free conditions with minimal energy consumption, improving reliability while reducing power usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses electromagnetic radiation in the microwave or infrared spectrum, which can be tuned to specific power levels and frequencies that are effective for ice melting but consume less energy than traditional heating systems. By changing the physical parameters of the energy delivery method, the system achieves effective ice removal with reduced power consumption.
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 device effectively reduces false alarms by averaging ambient pressure changes and requires less energy for ice melting, allowing for a smaller, more efficient ice detection and removal system with minimal drag penalties.
Implementation Method 1
a second chamber configured for being operatively coupled to at least one electromagnetic (EM) system that is configured for transmitting EM energy to said first chamber at least via said partition wall, said EM energy being configured for melting ice that can accrete with respect to the at least one inlet opening
Implementation Method 2
the device being configured for being operatively coupled to at least one air pressure sensor in fluid communication with said first chamber for detecting at least pressure changes in said first chamber responsive to ice accretion on said at least one inlet opening
Data Source
AI summary
A number of devices are provided for detecting presence of ice in an airstream. In some examples such device includes a housing defining a first chamber and a second chamber, and a partition wall separating the first chamber and the second chamber. The first chamber has at least one inlet opening on a front housing wall facing the airstream, and at least one outlet opening, smaller than the at least one inlet opening. The second chamber is configured for being operatively coupled to at least one electromagnetic (EM) system that is configured for transmitting EM energy to the first chamber at least via the partition wall, which is transparent and/or translucent with respect to the EM energy, the EM energy being configured for melting ice that can accrete with respect to the inlet opening. The device is configured for being operatively coupled to at least one air pressure sensor in fluid communication with the first chamber for detecting at least pressure changes in the first chamber responsive to ice accretion on the inlet opening.