Greased Silicone Ice Release Coating for Aircraft

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for preventing ice accretion on critical structures, such as aircraft and wind turbine blades, are either short-lived, environmentally hazardous, or costly, and no durable, effective ice-phobic coatings have been successfully commercialized.

Innovation Solution

A silicone composition with a greased surface, utilizing a fluid lubricant and thickener components like lithium soap or polyurea, which reduces ice adhesion to less than 21 kN/m², providing a long-lasting and environmentally friendly solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If liquid deicing agents are applied, then ice accretion is prevented temporarily, but the effectiveness is short-lived and environmental hazards occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice prevention effectivenessVSAvoidduration of deicing agent effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a durable coating that provides long-term ice phobic properties, replacing the need for repeated applications of short-lived liquid deicing agents. The coating system creates a persistent protective layer that maintains effectiveness over extended periods, eliminating the cyclic reapplication requirement of conventional agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the surface properties of the substrate by applying a coating with specific chemical composition and surface energy characteristics. This changes the adhesion parameters between ice and the surface, creating permanent ice-phobic properties rather than temporary chemical inhibition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If thermal or mechanical solutions are implemented, then ice accretion is prevented, but the implementation cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice accretion preventionVSAvoidimplementation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces active mechanical or thermal deicing systems with a passive coating-based solution. Instead of using heating elements, pneumatic systems, or mechanical scrapers, the invention uses a surface-modified coating that inherently prevents ice adhesion through its chemical and physical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The coating system provides self-service ice prevention without requiring external energy input or active control systems. The ice-phobic properties are inherent to the coating material itself, eliminating the need for powered heating elements, pumps, or mechanical actuators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If existing ice phobic coatings are applied, then ice adhesion is reduced, but durability and field effectiveness remain unproven

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice adhesion strengthVSAvoidcoating durability in field conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite coating system comprising multiple layers or components with complementary functions. The coating includes ice-phobic surface layers combined with adhesion-promoter layers and protective topcoats, creating a multi-functional composite structure that addresses both ice release and durability requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different functional layers at different locations within the coating system. The surface layer provides ice-phobic properties, while underlying layers provide adhesion, flexibility, and environmental resistance. Each layer is optimized for its specific function, creating a differentiated multi-layer structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 greased silicone coating significantly reduces ice adhesion, offering a durable and cost-effective solution that maintains performance even after repetitive icing events and extended water exposure.

Implementation Method 1

a grease absorbed in to the silicone composition, the grease having a fluid lubricant component and a thickener component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP2465905B1Ice release systems comprising silicone and grease compositions

Publication Date: 2017.02.22 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

An article with ice phobic surface along with method of making and using the article are disclosed. The article includes a silicone composition disposed on a surface of the article and a grease applied to the silicone composition. The grease includes a fluid lubricant component and a thickener component. The method of making the article includes the steps of disposing a silicone composition on a surface, curing the silicone composition, and applying a grease on the cured silicone composition to form a greased silicone.