Propeller De-icing System with Temperature Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing propeller de-icing systems operate on open loop control and cannot detect when ice has been shed, leading to inefficient heating and excessive power consumption as they continue to heat blades even after ice has been shed.
Innovation Solution
A closed loop control system with temperature feedback is implemented to detect the shedding of ice by calculating the rate of change of temperature increase, allowing for reduced or stopped heating once ice is shed, and allocating blades into groups for efficient power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heating is continued after ice has been shed, then the de-icing function is maintained, but power consumption increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control by monitoring the temperature rate of change on the propeller blade surface. When the rate of temperature increase exceeds a threshold, indicating ice has been shed, the heating control unit reduces or stops heating power. This feedback mechanism ensures heating is maintained only when necessary, preventing excessive power consumption while maintaining reliable de-icing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating power is dynamically adjusted based on real-time temperature monitoring. The system transitions from static heating (continuous or fixed-cycle heating) to dynamic heating where power levels change in response to ice shedding detection, optimizing the balance between de-icing effectiveness and energy consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If heating is stopped early after ice shedding, then power consumption is reduced, but ice may reform on the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system continuously monitors the temperature rate of change and maintains heating power until ice shedding is confirmed. The system only reduces or stops heating when the temperature increase rate indicates ice has been successfully shed, ensuring the de-icing function remains reliable while optimizing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures complete ice shedding before reducing heating power by monitoring temperature trends in advance. The preliminary detection of ice shedding through temperature rate of change analysis prevents premature heating reduction that could allow ice to reform.
3Reliability
If all blades are heated simultaneously, then de-icing effectiveness is maximized, but power requirements exceed available capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The propeller blades are divided into multiple groups, and heating is applied to one group at a time in a sequential manner. This segmentation allows the available power capacity to be distributed across different blade groups over time, achieving overall de-icing effectiveness without requiring excessive peak power that would exceed system capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system operates in periodic cycles, alternating between different blade groups. Each group receives heating treatment in sequence, ensuring all blades are de-iced over time while limiting the instantaneous power demand to levels within available system capacity.
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 reduces power consumption and prevents water accumulation on blades by precisely detecting ice shedding and adjusting heating accordingly, optimizing the de-icing process.
Implementation Method 1
applying power to a heating means to provide heat to said external surface
Implementation Method 2
sensing the temperature of the component
Data Source
AI summary
A method of detecting that ice has been shed from an external surface of a component is provided, the method comprising applying power to a heating means to provide heat to said external surface. The method further comprises sensing the temperature of the component and calculating the rate of change of temperature increase of the external surface over time. Further, the method comprises detecting a change in said rate of change of temperature increase over time, wherein said detected change in rate of change of temperature increase indicates that said ice has been shed from said external surface of said component.