Modeling and Experimental Demonstration of a Hybrid Heatable Coating Ice Protection System for the MQ-9 Vehicle

ABSTRACT: Currently the MQ-9 avoids icing conditions by scheduling flights that avoid such conditions.Invercon is the exclusive supplier of elastic semi-conductive polymers that can be used for de-icing and applied as a thin coating (< 0.01) yielding a heatable layer with a surface density of approximately 200 g/m2.The coating is heated electrically and has a positive temperature coefficient and does not experience damaging hot spots encountered by traditional resistive heaters.Voltage can be applied across the entire surface using flexible, low profile electrical buses on either side of the coated area, enabling extremely simple wiring configurations that can be laid out in a multitude of geometries to fine tune desired power densities.Additionaly, recent research at Penn State has shown that surface roughness is a dominant factor affecting ice adhesion strength via mechanical clamping forces.There is a linear positive trend between surface roughness and adhesion strength.It was observed that an increase in surface roughness from 0.651 micron to 2.67 micron resulted in a 250% increase in ice-adhesion strength.Invercon is proposing to combine the low-power (<1kW), low-weight polymer electrothermal ice protection system with a low surface roughness treatment to yield a surface with low ice adhesion strength.; BENEFIT: Because Invercon and its partners will be developing a lightweight, retrofittable de-icing system that uses significantly less power than conventional electro-thermal systems, the target market for this technology is a fairly wide arena that encompasses nearly all existing and future fixed wing aircraft that are subjected to icing conditions.By focusing on the systems retrofittable nature, the licensed technology can be made available to virtually every existing unmanned and manned fixed wing aircraft in production.In addition, after the technology is licensed to GE Global, Boeing, and General Atomics, for instance, those manufacturers will be in a position to integrate the hybrid de-icing system into future aircraft currently in the planning and design stage.An additional market to pursue is the ever emerging use of wind turbines.Like aircraft, wind turbines will often be subject to sub-zero conditions that will encourage the build-up of rime ice on blades.Turbines will automatically shut down if too much ice is sensed and will not be reactivated until the ice has thawed or removed, resulting in lost energy revenue.Therefore, Invercon will partner with GE to pursue partnerships with wind turbine manufacturers as the Phase I and II progress.Therefore, considering all of the above potential target markets,Invercons licensed technology will have a high probability of successfully reaching end users through GEs extensive marketing and distribution channels.