Low power de-icing systems for light weight helicopters

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Rotorcraft is vulnerable to rotor-blade in-flight icing. As so far only large helicopter may have rotor blades de-iced by means of high-energy electro-thermal systems, whereas small helicopter is lacking in the electrical power required to run them. That is why Bell Helicopter Textron, a manufacturer of small rotorcraft, realized at University of Quebec at Chicoutimi (UQAC) between 2006 and 2014 two CRSNG-CRIAQ projects, in which three approaches were evaluated in simulated icing tests and demonstrated practical for rotorcraft application. These were then recommended for further investigation at higher TRL: as energy-wise technologies, low-ice-adhesion coatings and piezoelectric actuators, and as solution avoiding slips rings the low-weight mast-mounted generator (MMG). The project consists of developing in laboratory up to TRL level 5, the three technologies previously demonstrated feasible at TRL 3, or a combination thereof: ice-phobic coatings poised to reduce ice adhesion, but requiring high erosion resistance (Objective 1), efficient piezoelectric system equipped with resistant piezo-elements to ensure a durable anti-icing blade protection (Objective 2); and for MMG technology a wireless system for efficiently controlling the rotor blade heating (Objective 3). The project includes two fundamental works : the development of a new software for modelling the heat transfer on rotorcraft blades during de-icing (objective 4) and the continuation of the previous work on a physic-based model elaborated on ice adhesion (objective 5). The grant proposal will involve three Canadian industrial partners, Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, MagChem Inc. Canada, and Iders Canada; and four institutional partners: Anti-Icing Materials Laboratory of UQAC, National Research Council Aerospace, Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal and Ecole de Technologie Superieure. Three graduate students, two Ph. D. and a Master degree, will be involved in Objectives 2, 3 and 4. Given the present state of knowledge and scientific advancement, the full development of a durable ice-phobic coating or/and a reliable piezo-equipped system will constitute a breakdown, which will profit to all Canadian partners.