Experimental investigation on de-icing by an array of impact rod-type plasma synthetic jets

Since flight accidents due to aircraft icing occur from time to time,this paper proposes an array of impact rod-type plasma synthetic jet de-icing methods for aircraft icing problems.The impact rod-type plasma synthetic jet actuator(PSJA)is based on the traditional PSJA with an additional impact rod structure for better de-icing in the flight environment.In this work,we first optimize the ice-breaking performance of a single-impact rod-type PSJA,and then conduct an array of impact rod-type plasma synthetic jet ice-breaking experiments to investigate the relationship between crack expansion and discharge energy,ice thickness and group spacing.The results show that the impact force and impulse of a single-impact rod-type PSJA are proportional to the discharge energy,and there exists a threshold energy Qmin for a single actuator to break the ice,which is proportional to the ice thickness.Only when the discharge energy reaches above Qmin can the ice layer produce cracks,and at the same time,the maximum radial crack length produced during the ice-breaking process is proportional to the discharge energy.When the ice is broken by an array of impact rod PSJAs,the discharge energy and group spacing together determine whether the crack can be extended to the middle region of the actuator.When the group spacing is certain,increasing the energy can increase the intersection of cracks in the middle region,and the ice-fragmentation degree is increased and the ice-breaking effect is better.At the same time,the energy estimation method of ice breaking by an array of impact rod-type PSJAs is proposed according to the law when a single actuator is breaking ice.

Peridynamic modeling and simulation of thermo-mechanical de-icing process with modified ice failure criterion

De-icing technology has become an increasingly important subject in numerous applications in recent years.However,the direct numerical modeling and simulation the physical process of thermomechanical deicing is limited.This work is focusing on developing a numerical model and tool to direct simulate the de-icing process in the framework of the coupled thermo-mechanical peridynamics theory.Here,we adopted the fully coupled thermo-mechanical bond-based peridynamics(TM-BB-PD)method for modeling and simulation of de-icing.Within the framework of TM-BB-PD,the ice constitutive model is established by considering the influence of the temperature difference between two material points,and a modified failure criteria is proposed,which takes into account temperature effect to predict the damage of quasi-brittle ice material.Moreover,thermal boundary condition is used to simulate the thermal load in the de-icing process.By comparing with the experimental results and the previous reported finite element modeling,our numerical model shows good agreement with the previous predictions.Based on the numerical results,we find that the developed method can not only predict crack initiation and propagation in the ice,but also predict the temperature distribution and heat conduction during the de-icing process.Furthermore,the influence of the temperature for the ice crack growth pattern is discussed accordingly.In conclusion,the coupled thermal-mechanical peridynamics formulation with modified failure criterion is capable of providing a modeling tool for engineering applications of de-icing technology.

Self-Structured Organizing Single-Input CMAC Control for De-icing Robot Manipulator

This paper presents a self-structured organizing single-input control system based on differentiable cerebellar model articulation controller (CMAC) for an n-link robot manipulator to achieve the high-precision position tracking. In the proposed scheme, the single-input CMAC controller is solely used to control the plant, so the input space dimension of CMAC can be simplified and no conventional controller is needed. The structure of single-input CMAC will also be self-organized;that is, the layers of single-input CMAC will grow or prune systematically and their receptive functions can be automatically adjusted. The online tuning laws of single-input CMAC parameters are derived in gradient-descent learning method and the discrete-type Lyapunov function is applied to determine the learning rates of the proposed control system so that the stability of the system can be guaranteed. The simulation results of three-link De-icing robot manipulator are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control methodology.

Piezoelectric resonant ice protection systems–Part1/2:Prediction of power requirement for de-icing a NACA 0024 leading edge

This paper proposes a numerical method to analyze the ice protection capability and predict the power requirements of a piezoelectric resonant de-icing system.The method is based on a coupled electro-mechanical finite element analysis which enables the fast computation of the modes of resonance of interest to de-ice curved surfaces and the estimation of the input voltage and current required for a given configuration(defined by its mode,actuator location,ice deposit,etc.).Eventually,the electric power to be supplied can be also assessed.The method is applied to a NACA 0024 leading edge equipped with piezoelectric actuators.First,two extension modes are analyzed and compared with respect to their efficiency and power requirements.Then,tests are carried out in an icing tunnel to verify the effectiveness of the piezoelectric ice protection system and the predictions of the maximal required power.The system allows de-icing the leading edge in less than 2 s for a glaze ice deposit.

DC Traction Power Supply System Based on Modular Multilevel Converter Suitable for Energy Feeding and De-icing

A novel DC traction power supply system suitable for energy feeding and de-icing is proposed in this paper for an urban rail transit catenary on the basis of the full bridge submodule (FBSM) modular multilevel converter (MMC). The FBSM-MMC is a novel type of voltage source converter (VSC) and can directly control the output DC voltage and conduct bipolar currents, thus flexibly controlling the power flow of the urban rail transit catenary. The proposed topology can overcome the inherent disadvantages of the output voltage drop in the diode rectifier units, increase the power supply distance and reduce the number of traction substations. The flexible DC technology can coordinate multiple FBSM-MMCs in a wide area and jointly complete the bidirectional control of catenary power flow during the operation of the electric locomotive, so as to realize the local consumption and optimal utilization of the recovered braking energy of the train. In addition, the FBSM-MMCs can also adjust the output current when the locomotive is out of service to prevent the catenary from icing in winter. The working modes of the proposed topology are illustrated in detail and the control strategy is specially designed for normal locomotive operations and catenary de-icing. Simulation cases conducted by PSCAD/EMTDC validate the proposed topology and its control strategy.

Photothermal superhydrophobic copper nanowire assemblies: fabrication and deicing/defrosting applications

Ice and frost buildup continuously pose significant challenges to multiple fields.As a promising de-icing/defrosting alternative,designing photothermal coatings that leverage on the abundant sunlight source on the earth to facilitate ice/frost melting has attracted tremendous attention recently.However,previous designs suffered from either localized surface heating owing to the limited thermal conductivity or unsatisfied meltwater removal rate due to strong water/substrate interaction.Herein,we developed a facile approach to fabricate surfaces that combine photothermal,heat-conducting,and superhydrophobic properties into one to achieve efficient de-icing and defrosting.Featuring copper nanowire assemblies,such surfaces were fabricated via the simple template-assisted electrodeposition method,allowing us to tune the nanowire assembly geometry by adjusting the template dimensions and electrodeposition time.The highly ordered copper nanowire assemblies facilitated efficient sunlight absorption and lateral heat spreading,resulting in a fast overall temperature rise to enable the thawing of ice and frost.Further promoted by the excellent water repellency of the surface,the thawed ice and frost could be spontaneously and promptly removed.In this way,the all-in-one design enabled highly enhanced de-icing and defrosting performance compared to other nanostructured surfaces merely with superhydrophobicity,photothermal effect,or the combination of both.In particular,the defrosting efficiency could approach∼100%,which was the highest compared to previous studies.Overall,our approach demonstrates a promising path toward designing highly effective artificial deicing/defrosting surfaces.

Design and Development of Anti-Icing Aluminum Surface

An anti-icing surface has been designed and prepared with an aluminum panel by creating an artificial lotus leaf which is highly hydrophobic. The hydrophobicity of a solid surface can be generated by decreasing its surface tension and increasing the roughness of the surface. On a highly hydrophobic surface, water has a high contact angle and it can easily rolls off, carrying surface dirt and debris with it. Super-cooled water or freezing rain can also run off this highly hydrophobic surface instead of forming ice on the surface, due to the reduction of the liquid-solid adhesion. This property can also help a surface to get rid of the ice after the water becomes frozen. In this study, a Cassie-Baxter rough surface was modeled, and an aluminum panel was physically and chemically modified based on the modeled structure. Good agreement was found between predicted values and experimental results for the contact and roll-off angles of water. Most importantly, by creating this highly hydrophobic aluminum rough surface, the anti-icing and de-icing properties of the modified surface were drastically improved compared to the control aluminum surface, and the cost will be reduced.

A Review on Self-Cleaning Coatings for Tunnels

Self-cleaning coatings for tunnels can effectively remove dust and stains accumulated over the surface of tunnel linings and their appurtenances due to the closed environment and poor ventilation.This paper systematically introduces the current research status of self-cleaning coatings for tunnels,focusing on the development of super-hydrophobic self-cleaning coatings,superamphiphobic self-cleaning coatings,exhaust gas degradation coatings,fire retardant coatings,and tunnel de-icing coatings.The advantages and disadvantages of the five functional coatings are then briefly described,and the problems of self-cleaning coatings for tunnels at the present stage are pointed out.Finally,the development direction of self-cleaning coatings for tunnels is proposed to provide a reference for the research and application of self-cleaning coatings for tunnels.

Laboratory study of a hydronic concrete deck heated externally in a controlled sub-freezing environment

Geothermal heating of bridge decks is a reliable and sustainable method for bridge de-icing that has been in-creasing in demand since conventional de-icing methods were proved to be environmentally hazardous.Previous research on geothermal heating of bridge decks relied on hydronic pipes embedded inside of bridge decks,which are confined to newly constructed bridges.For existing bridges,a newly devised method for external heating has been recently tested under limited laboratory conditions to determine its overall performance.This study explores laboratory heating tests of a concrete slab with a thickness representing a typical concrete bridge deck.This slab was equipped with a simulated geothermal bridge de-icing system and tested inside a freezer subjected to sub-freezing controlled conditions.Various winter scenarios were applied to the system to determine its heat-ing performance and how feasible it will be for the system to be transferred to the field.A prediction equation was developed to estimate the total energy reserves required to permit de-icing,and statistical analysis was performed and validated with test results.The slab surface heat flux was estimated to range from 27 W/m^(2) K to 73 W/m^(2) K from the heating test.The externally-heated deck can be designed with the developed prediction equation for snow melting.

Evaluating the environmental impact of selected chemical de-icers

In this study,the environmental impacts of six commercial chloride-based de-icer products,including Rock Salt and Salt Brine,were evaluated.The nutrients,oxygen demand,heavy metal concentration,corrosion and toxicity of all six de-icers were analysed.With an assumed 500-fold dilution,the test results were compared to the public water-quality criteria.The results show that the selected chemical de-icers have little chance of severely damaging the environment and ecosystem under a normal dilution scenario.However,attention needs to be paid to small water bodies and sensitive receiving water.

Research progress on construction strategy and technical evaluation of aircraft icing accretion protection system

The impact of unstable supercooled water droplets suspended in the cloud on the solid will cause its surface to freeze,and the flight safety of the aircraft will be seriously affected when flying in this environment.Aircraft icing protection system is an important device to reduce icing accidents and improve aircraft safety performance,which is of great significance to ensure flight safety.Based on the energy source,this paper proposes a general strategy for constructing an aircraft icing protection system,including Active Anti-icing and De-icing(AAD)system,Passive Antiicing and De-icing(PAD)system and Composite Anti-icing and De-icing(CAD)system.The principle,scope of application,advantages and disadvantages of aircraft anti-icing and de-icing technologies such as electric pulse de-icing,low-frequency piezoelectric de-icing,and hydrophobic material anti-icing are explored in detail,and the corresponding improvement measures are proposed.The future development of aircraft anti-icing and de-icing technology is prospected,and some new ideas are provided for the improvement of aircraft anti-icing and de-icing technology.

Superior anti-icing strategy by combined sustainable liquid repellence and electro/photo-responsive thermogenesis of oil/MWNT composite

This paper introduces an effective anti-icing strategy that uses passive anti-icing property and active de-icing functions concurrently.These dual capabilities can alleviate the icing problem more effectively than either a passive or active function alone.The developed material is a slippery liquid-repellent elastic conductor(SLEC);it is an organogel that is composed of multi-walled carbon nanotubes,oil,and polydimethylsiloxane.The SLEC maintains passive water-droplet sliding ability even on wet surfaces that frequently occur in cold conditions(e.g.,during condensation and defrosting),suppresses ice nucleation,and shows ice adhesion strength as low as^20 kPa.The SLEC releases heat when it is subject to electrical or photonic stimulation,and can therefore it can prevent ice formation and melt ice that has already formed on a surface.This material has sustainable liquid repellence by syneresis and replenishment;this ability ensures long-lasting anti-icing property,and results in exceptional durability.This durability is stable against mechanical damage.The superior dual anti-icing capabilities together with the sustainable and stable liquid repellence should generate synergistic effects,and yield a powerful anti-icing tool that can broaden the range of icing applications.