Novel synthetic jet based anti icing system for the MQ-9

ABSTRACT: There is an urgent need for a light weight and low power technology that can provide anti-icing and de-icing capability for the MQ-9 reaper. The Lynntech team proposes to use a proprietary technology based on Pulsed Plasma Jet actuators (PPJ) to generate high impulse and elevated temperature jets that disrupt ice formation on the MQ-9 wings, tail and engine intakes. Lynntechs Pulsed Plasma Jet (PPJ) actuators are lightweight, simple to build and install onto the MQ-9, and do not require access to the bleed air from the MQ-9 engine. Lynntech will prove the efficacy of the PPJ system for anti icing through a combination of experimental testing and computational simulations. The Pulsed Plasma Jet (PPJ) technology has been thoroughly investigated by Lynntech in the past for several aerodynamic applications including stall delay and skin friction reduction. The proposed anti icing technology when applied in the appropriate configuration could have the added benefit of reducing aircraft drag and thereby increase the MQ-9 flight range.; BENEFIT: The light weight and low power PPJ technology can provide effective protection for various UAV and aircraft platforms under a variety of ice forming flight conditions. In addition to being a effective anti-icing technology, the PPJ actuators have been demonstrated to assist in delaying aircraft stall as well as reduce aircraft drag.Therefore the PPJ technology can have a multi faceted benefit on aircraft safety (both anti-icing and stall delay) and can significantly reduce fuel consumption or increase payload.Either will make aircraft operation more safe and profitable. Reducing fuel consumption will also reduce emissions, including aircraft-produced CO2.