Wing Ice Runback Control Zones for Low-Power Electrothermal Deicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ice formation on the leading edge of aircraft wings degrades aerodynamic performance and poses safety risks, and existing electrothermal systems require constant electrical power to prevent ice formation and runback.
Innovation Solution
An electrothermal ice protection system with coils generating repelling magnetic fields to heat the wing, including anti-icing, deicing, and ice runback control zones, which selectively applies heat to prevent and remove ice formation and runback using less electrical power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrothermal systems apply constant heating to prevent ice formation, then ice prevention reliability is improved, but electrical power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wing leading edge is divided into multiple zones (anti-icing zone, deicing zone, ice runback control zone) with different heating requirements. Each zone receives targeted heating based on its specific function and ice risk, rather than uniform constant heating across the entire surface, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-icing zone applies heating in advance before ice formation occurs, preventing ice buildup proactively. This preliminary action reduces the need for more intensive heating later, optimizing the timing and intensity of power application to maintain reliability while minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 3:
The system maintains continuous heating in the anti-icing zone to prevent ice formation, while applying intermittent or reduced heating in the deicing and ice runback control zones. This continuous action where needed combined with selective action elsewhere ensures reliable ice prevention without unnecessary continuous power consumption across the entire wing.
2Reliability
If electrothermal systems heat the entire wing surface, then ice protection coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into multiple independently controllable zones along the wing leading edge. Each zone can be activated or deactivated based on ice conditions and location-specific requirements, simplifying control logic compared to a single unified system while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the wing leading edge are assigned different heating characteristics appropriate to their specific functions. The anti-icing zone uses continuous heating, the deicing zone uses intermittent heating, and the ice runback control zone uses targeted heating, creating local quality variations that reduce overall system complexity through standardized modular designs.
3Reliability
If electrothermal systems use high power to remove ice runback, then ice removal effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ice runback control zone applies heating in advance to prevent ice runback from forming in the first place, rather than relying solely on high-power heating to remove established ice. This preliminary heating action reduces the intensity and duration of power application needed for actual ice removal, improving effectiveness while reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice runback control zone acts as an intermediary between the deicing zone and the trailing edge, managing the transition of melted water and preventing it from refreezing as runback ice. This intermediary function allows for lower-power heating compared to directly heating the entire wing surface to remove ice, as it only needs to prevent refreezing rather than melt substantial ice accumulations.
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 system effectively prevents ice formation and runback while reducing power consumption and enhancing aerodynamic efficiency by targeting specific zones with controlled heating, thereby improving safety and performance.
Implementation Method 1
the first coil may be configured to induce a first magnetic field. In various embodiments, the second coil may be configured to induce a second magnetic field. In various embodiments, the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field may be configured to repel one another.
Implementation Method 2
the first coil and the second coil may be configured to heat the airfoil
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft wing may comprise an airfoil having deicing zone, an anti-icing zone, and an ice runback control zone. An aircraft wing may comprise an electro-thermal ice protection system disposed in the aircraft wing. The electro-thermal ice protection system may be disposed along the deicing, anti-icing, and ice runback control zones of the airfoil to improve aerodynamic performance of the aircraft and reduce ice formation along the wings of the aircraft.