A heat-pulse method for detecting ice formation on surfaces

Early detection of ice formation on surfaces is a crucial requirement in many applications such as wind turbines, aeroplane's wings, and radar domes. This paper presents the concept of a heat-pulse ice detection system. Its principle consists of recording the temperature evolution and assessing the relaxation time after the surfaces are subject to a heat excitation generated by an electrical pulse. The sensor comprises thin graphene films embedded in pre-preg layers of aeronautical grade as well as thermocouples to record the temperatures profiles at given locations. The criterion of ice detection exploits the high thermal capacity of ice compared to the air to capture the formation of icy spots. Numerical simulations and comparison with experimental investigations have been carried out to validate the principle and criteria of the ice detection system.