SBIR 95-1 SOLICITATION
PROJECT SUMMARY
Contract Id:
Proposal Number:
Project Title:
A LOW POWER HYBRID ICE PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR AGATE CATEGORY AIRCRAFT
Technical Abstract:
While larger turbojet and turbofan powered aircraft are typically de-iced using bleed air,
electrothermal or a combination of those two technologies, lower powered aircraft are typically
de-iced using pneumatic de-icers. The primary reasons for using pneumatic de-icing systems are
low weight and low power requirements. However pneumatic de-icers typically impose a
performance penalty wich will become even more significant on future laminar flow and AGATE
category aircraft operating at over 200 kts. Pneumatic de-icers were invented prior to world war II
and while they are still being incorporated into new aircraft designs they have many design
limitations. Based on recent breakthroughs in low power de-icing technologies at IDI, we propose
to design and build a hybrid ice protection system based on Shape Memory Alloy and electro-
magnetic de-icing actuators, which are suitable for incorporation into todays high performance
laminar flow wings. This approach combines the recently proven Shape Memory Alloy de-icing
system which efficiently de-bonds accreted ices, and an efficient electromagnetic system which
sheds the debonded ice into the free stream air. A system of the type proposed would enable
the efficient de-icing of large surface areas with a very low power requirement. Such a system
could be needed to meet future requirements by the FAA for large droplet ice protection. The
Phase I effort will emphasize the development of a functional demonstrator. Phase II will center
around designing and building a full scale wing cuff system, then testing the wing cuff both in an
icing wind tunnel and in flight.
Potential Commercial Applications:
The proposed de-icing system could potentially be offered as a retrofit system to all general
aviation aircraft currently equipped with pneumatic de-icing boots. Additionally, resulting
improvements in thin-layer ice removal provide substantial enhancements to safety when
considering the sensitivity of modern airfoils to thin layers of ice. The market for such a device in
lower powered turboprop and general aviation aircraft is substantial. IDI will be teaming with Cox
& Company, Inc. and Bell Helicopter Textron for commercialization of the Low Power De-Icing
technology during the Phase II and III program (see enclosed letters)
.
Name and Address of Offeror:
Innovative Dynamics, Inc.
244 Langmuir Lab
95 Brown Road
Ithaca, NY 14850-1252
Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) &
Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) Programs
Electronic Management System (EMS)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
The SBIR/STTR EMS site is maintained by Steve
Hu, Hughes STX.
For comments and questions, contact
webmaster@sbir.hq.nasa.gov.
Updated: Feb. 7, 1996