Aircraft de-icing using high frequency vibration

飞机机翼在飞行过程中结冰是很常见的现象。严重的积聚会导致空气动力学性能的灾难性损失，飞机需要有除冰系统来防止这种情况的发生。目前使用的技术是通过加热机翼表面来融化冰键，但这对功率有重大影响，要么降低了发动机的效率，要么增加了电力需求。宾夕法尼亚州立大学最近的研究率先使用超声波振动来打破冰键。在实验室测试中，与电热方法相比，节省了65%的电力，并且有可能进一步显著提高性能。然而，在实践中实施这项技术仍然存在基本的技术障碍。南安普顿大学的研究人员已经开发出一种理论框架，能够模拟超声波在带有不需要的吸积材料层的结构上的产生和影响。该项目旨在探索该模型的应用，以预测使用超声波从结构中去除冰。该模型有可能为超声波除冰带来新的物理见解，这将指导未来的研究和性能改进。还将进行联合进行的实验，以熟悉宾夕法尼亚州立大学结冰设施的能力，并初步进行模型验证活动。除冰系统的安全性至关重要，目前使用的任何超声波替代技术都必须在所有操作条件下既坚固又有效。这项拨款将促进双方就如何在这些方面加强这项技术交流意见。在南安普顿确定的一种方法是同时部署一系列超声波致动器，以这种方式提供不成比例的好处。这种通用技术已经在其他地方成功地应用于非常不同的目的。将访问已成功实施该技术的加拿大舍布鲁克大学。对该技术的复杂性和实际实施的更充分的认识将为未来的研究计划提供信息。

Ice build-up on aircraft wings during flight is a common occurrence. Severe build-up can lead to catastrophic loss of aerodynamic performance and aircraft are required to have de-icing systems to prevent this eventuality. Technologies currently in use heat the wing surface to melt the ice bond but this has significant power implications, either through reduced efficiency of the engines or through electrical power requirements. Recent research at Pennsylvania State University has pioneered the use of ultrasonic vibrations to break the ice bond. In laboratory tests a 65% saving in power has been demonstrated compared with an electrothermal approach and significant further performance improvements are possible. However, fundamental technical barriers remain to this technology being implemented in practice. Researchers at the University of Southampton have developed a theoretical framework which is capable of modelling the generation and effect of ultrasonic waves on a structure with an unwanted layer of accreted material. The proposed project aims to explore the application of this model to predict the removal of ice from a structure using ultrasonic waves. The model has the potential to bring fresh physical insight to ultrasonic de-icing which will direct future research and performance improvements. Jointly conducted experiments will also be undertaken to provide familiarity with the capabilities of the icing facility at Pennsylvania State University and to prime model validation activities.The de-icing system is safety critical and any ultrasonic replacement for currently employed technologies must be both robust and effective in all operating conditions. The grant will facilitate an exchange of ideas on how the technology can be enhanced in these respects. One approach identified at Southampton deploys an array of ultrasonic actuators simultaneously in such a way as to give disproportionate benefits. The generic technique has been applied successfully elsewhere for very different purposes. A visit will be made to the University of Sherbrooke in Canada, where the technique has been successfully implemented. A fuller appreciation for the intricacies and practical implementation of the technique will inform a future research proposal.