Goodrich Corporation, De-icing and Specialty System Division (DSSD) is a leader in the development and manufacturing of ice protection and detection systems for aerospace applications. Goodrich DSSD has developed and tested an Ice/No-Ice Sensor System for In-flight ice detection directly on or integral to the surface of ice accretion.
The Ice/No-Ice Sensor System (INISS) was developed to address the concern of detecting the onset of icing on General Aviation, Business, Commercial and Military Aircraft. A robust sensor was developed and manufactured to comply with the wear and erosion expectations of airfoil surfaces. The INISS can also be used in conjunction with ice protection systems to provide automated control of the deicing and anti-icing functions.
The INISS can be used to minimize the time an ice protection system is on. Turning the ice protection system on during icing conditions only also limits the system’s exposure to lightning strike damage. This is accomplished by electrically floating the de-icing and anti-icing circuits when icing conditions are not present.
Test results have demonstrated the capability of the Goodrich DSSD INISS to effectively determine the onset of icing on many airfoil shapes and configurations, including unprotected areas that might be susceptible to freezing drizzle or freezing rain (SLD).
System development and testing details are discussed for applications for in-flight ice detection.