Multiphysics Based Design Study of an Atmospheric Icing Sensor

Abstract

A design study of an atmospheric icing sensor is presented in this article. The proposed design of the sensor is aimed to detect an atmospheric icing event, to determine ice type as well as to measure icing load, icing rate and melting rate. This sensor is constantly slowly rotating cylinder with four fins which measure atmospheric icing load and icing rate using rotational load measurement technique. By replacing the fins with capacitance measurement cards, this sensor will be able to confirm an icing event, determining icing type and measure melting rate. Combination of multiphysics tools are employed to optimize the various design parameters of the sensor. Finally a working model was manufactured to check the basic functionality of the sensor in the laboratory.