Icing Condition Sensor Using Heat Transfer Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice mitigation systems often require manual intervention and can waste energy by remaining active unnecessarily, especially in situations where icing conditions cannot be readily determined, leading to inefficiencies and energy consumption issues, particularly in battery-powered systems.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that automatically determine icing conditions by using a sensor structure with a heater and temperature sensors to measure and compare heat transfer projections with actual measurements, generating a signal to control ice mitigation systems and reduce energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ice mitigation systems are left active permanently or more than required, then reliability of ice protection is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of icing conditions by measuring ambient temperature, wind speed, and humidity before activating the ice mitigation system. This preliminary action allows the system to predict icing risk and activate heating elements only when necessary, rather than operating continuously
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors environmental parameters (temperature, wind speed, humidity) and adjusts the heating element operation based on real-time feedback. When conditions indicate low icing risk, the system reduces or stops heating, and activates it again when conditions change to high risk, creating a closed-loop control system that balances protection reliability with energy efficiency
2Use of energy by moving object
If ice mitigation systems are controlled manually, then energy consumption is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-assessment of icing conditions by automatically measuring environmental parameters and determining whether heating is required. The controller autonomously decides when to activate or deactivate the heating element based on sensor inputs, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining energy efficiency
3Ease of operation
If ice mitigation systems are activated based on simple temperature thresholds, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision and reliability of icing detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from monitoring a single parameter (temperature) to monitoring multiple parameters simultaneously (temperature, wind speed, humidity). By evaluating the combination of these parameters, the system achieves more accurate icing condition detection while maintaining simple automated control logic through predefined threshold comparisons
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
This approach significantly reduces energy usage by automating the control of ice mitigation systems, allowing for timely activation only when icing is likely, thereby minimizing energy waste and optimizing resource usage.
Implementation Method 1
a heater positioned to apply a quantity of heat to at least a portion of the structure
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor positioned to obtain a temperature measurement of the sensor surface
Data Source
AI summary
The method includes receiving a value of a quantity of heat applied to at least a portion of a structure, said structure having a sensor surface exposed to the environment, receiving a temperature measurement of the sensor surface, receiving a wind speed measurement of the environment, receiving an ambient temperature measurement of the environment, determining a heat transfer projection of the sensor area using at least the wind speed measurement, the ambient temperature measurement, and one of the value of a quantity of heat and a target temperature of the sensor surface; comparing the heat transfer projection to an associated heat transfer value, and generating a signal indicating the icing condition status based on the comparison.