Ice detection and tracking by the infrared thermography based on the electro-impulse de-icing system

Abstract

An infrared thermography method was proposed, which exploited the electro-impulse de-icing system as electromagnetic excitation to detect ice shape and track ice motion. The coupling physical fields of circuit, electromagnetic, stress and heat were expounded theoretically and numerical simulated to verify the feasibility of the measurement. With the use of image processing for ice samples of different system parameters and shapes, the original ice edge was obtained at discharge voltages of 100–200 V. As the residual icing state discussed at discharge voltages of 350–450 V, the trajectory of fragmented ice was tracked by interframe difference and centroid method, and de-icing effect was evaluated by the ratio of the Euclidean distance of the fragmented ice centroids as well. The proposed method presents a novel research insight into integrating ice detection and anti/de-icing technology of aircrafts. It can also be referenced for infrared thermography detection and fragmented ice tracking via heat sources.