Session: 06-01-01: General Aerospace-1

Paper Number: 160025

Proof of Concept for Ice Detection Using Electroactive Polymer Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Actuators 

Ice formation and accumulation on aerodynamic surfaces constitute a critical challenge for both the aerospace and wind energy industries. Ice accretion on aircraft disrupts local airflow, increases weight, alters aerodynamic performance, and disturbs boundary layer flow. These effects can lead to critical issues such as loss of control, reduced lift, premature aerodynamic stall, and increased drag. Over the past twenty years, more than eight hundred aircraft accidents have been reported due to icing and ice accumulation. From a wind energy perspective, cold climates and high-altitude regions are highly attractive for wind power generation. These areas offer approximately ten percent more available wind power than lower-altitude regions due to higher wind speeds and increased air density. However, ice accretion on wind turbines in these environments poses a significant challenge. Recently, a new device called electroactive polymer dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuator has been proposed for simultaneous flow control and ice removal on aerodynamic surfaces. This novel plasma actuator configuration utilizes smart materials as dielectric barriers which deform under the presence of the plasma electric field and help to expel the ice from the surface. Simultaneously, the plasma discharge dissipates heat to melt the adjacent ice and allows to perform flow control to improve aerodynamic efficiency. Given their dielectric properties and electrically induced motion, these devices have been recently explored for coupled aerodynamic flow control and de-icing applications. Implementing EAP plasma actuators on wind turbine blades can mitigate ice accumulation, ensuring reliable operation while simultaneously optimizing energy production efficiency. Similarly, the integration of electroactive polymer (EAP) plasma actuators into various aircraft components offers a promising solution to enhance aerodynamic efficiency, reduce fuel consumption, and prevent ice buildup in critical areas. While the capability of EAP-DBD plasma actuators for plasma discharge, localized heating, and reactive motion makes them highly efficient for ice removal, their potential for ice detection has not been investigated. Considering that, this study aims to demonstrate the feasibility of using EAP DBD plasma actuators for ice detection. The proposed ice sensor consists of a pair of flexible electrodes, an EAP dielectric barrier, and a test capacitor, specifically designed to detect ice accumulation through variations in electrical properties. The experimental analysis involved measuring electrical signals in the presence of ice and conducting thermal visualization of the EAP-DBD sensor to examine its behavior upon ice interaction.

Preliminary results indicate that ice accumulation on the EAP electrode surface alters the sensor's electrical response, confirming the viability of this detection method. Furthermore, when higher voltages were applied, the EAP plasma actuator not only detected ice but also facilitated its removal through dissipated thermal energy and induced motion. These findings highlight the dual functionality of EAP plasma actuators for both ice detection and de-icing, demonstrating their potential for advanced sensing and mitigation applications. Further tests will be performed, for a better understanding of the effect of the dielectric thickness on the ice-sensing capability of EAP-DBD plasma actuators. Experimental tests will be conducted in static ice sensing conditions and also in the transient ice melting process.

Presenting Author: Frederico Rodrigues University of Beira Interior

Presenting Author Biography: Frederico Rodrigues has concluded his PhD in Mechanical Engineering in 2019. He is currently assistant professor in University of Beira Interior, Portugal, and researcher of Centre for Mechanical and Aerospace Sciences and Technologies. His research interests include active flow control, electrohydrodynamics, heat transfer, propulsion and renewable energies.

Authors:

Leonardo Mbanguine University of Beira Interior
Frederico Rodrigues University of Beira Interior
Mohammadmahdi Abdollahzadehsangroudi University of Beira Interior
Luis Pires University of Beira Interior
José Páscoa University of Beira Interior