Hollow Probe Head Structure for Small-Droplet Ice Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetostrictive oscillating ice detectors struggle to efficiently collect and detect small supercooled water droplets, leading to suboptimal ice formation rates and inaccurate detection of ice accretion on aircraft surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A magnetostrictive oscillating ice detector sensor with a probe head featuring a plurality of hollow protrusions, optimized for additive manufacturing, which enhances local collection efficiency and increases surface area, thereby improving ice formation rates and detection accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional smooth probe head is used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the collection efficiency for small droplets is low and surface area is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The probe head is divided into multiple protrusions (at least two) instead of being a single smooth surface. Each protrusion creates its own localized collection zone, increasing the total surface area available for droplet accumulation and improving ice formation rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe head transitions from a two-dimensional smooth surface to a three-dimensional structure with protrusions. This dimensional change increases the effective surface area and creates multiple collection zones, enabling better capture of small droplets while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through additive manufacturing.
2Area of stationary object
If the probe head surface area is increased to collect more droplets, then ice formation rate improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the probe head by introducing protrusions with specific dimensional ratios. The protrusions have heights and diameters that can be optimized to maximize surface area while keeping the overall structure manufacturable using additive manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions create a surface structure that effectively increases the active area for droplet collection. The geometric configuration of multiple protrusions provides a porous-like surface topology that enhances collection efficiency without requiring actual porous materials.
3Measurement precision
If smaller droplets are targeted for collection, then detection accuracy improves, but the collection efficiency for these small droplets is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Each protrusion creates a localized collection zone with specific geometric characteristics optimized for capturing small droplets. The local geometry of each protrusion (height, diameter, spacing) is designed to enhance the collection efficiency for small droplets in that specific region, thereby improving overall detection accuracy.
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 sensor achieves a nearly 50% improvement in collection efficiency for small droplets and a threefold increase in surface area, resulting in enhanced ice detection and reduced melting time, while maintaining effective performance across varying airstream angles.
Implementation Method 1
magnetostrictive oscillating (MSO) ice detector (ID) sensors
Implementation Method 2
depositing a first layer of powder of a first material and sintering a portion of the first layer of powder
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
A probe head of a magnetostrictive oscillator includes a base (46) and a plurality of hollow protrusions extending from the base (46). Each protrusion of the plurality of hollow protrusions includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The second end is connected to the base (46). Each protrusion also includes an inner side and an outer side opposite the inner side.