A HIGLY ACCURATE, NON-INTRUSIVE MEASURING DEVICE FOR COLLECTING ICE DATA FROM SURFACES

We propose a highly accurate surface profile data collection device that can be used to measure the buildup of ice on aero-surfaces. The device will be able to remotely collect the required data in a very short time and can be used for measurements of both static or rotating surfaces. By combining moire topography, a pulsed laser, and a digital data collection system, surface characteristics of less than one inch to tens of inches in depth and width can be obtained quickly with a very high resolution (0.005 inches). The measured surfaces can then be reproduced for flight evaluation using computation fluid dynamic models (CFD) or used to support wind tunnel tests. The measurements can also be used for laboratory studies of mass and heat transport at the surface of rotating equipment.