Heating by electromagnetic induction is known as a very fast and efficient method for heating metallic surfaces, with very good controllability of the delivered power as well as for the lack of direct contact between the heated and the heating element. Induction heating is currently used in several industrial applications due to their advantages in efficiency, heating speed, low maintenance, safety and an accurate control. The aim was to achieve these clear advantages in the development of a novel de-icing system for air transport. Direct and fast action of inductive systems eliminate the ice created in very critical areas of aircraft, and allow better use of on-board resources, improving efficiency and reducing power demand of the aircraft.
INDUCTICE project contributed to achieve the major expectations from a more/all electrical aircraft architecture. In the framework of the Electrical Aircraft Airframe technologies, the low power electrical ice protection system developed in the project has a modular distribution in order to minimize weight while maximizing system efficiency.
The specific objectives for the project were:
1. Achieve 95% of heating Efficiency
2. Improve the speed, while providing a precise and targeted control of the generated heat facing the drawbacks of current on-board ice-protection systems
3. Direct Heating System Modular and flexible solution able to overcome the drawbacks of current electrothermal de-icing systems
In order to face the first objective, the ratio between the resistance of the heated element and the heating element was maximized. The resistance of the heated element was increased by using thin conductive layers, and, on the contrary, the resistance of the heating element (the coil) was reduced using Litz wire conductors. Regarding the targeted control of the generated heat, the coil was designed following a superimposed winding solution. The geometrical distribution of the coils, along with the phase shifted current distribution through them generated a uniform magnetic field, and therefore a uniform heating pattern.
Summarizing:
1. Achieve 95% of heating efficiency -> Yes but with respect of both the carbon fiber and the metallic mesh.
2. Improve the speed, while providing a precise and targeted control of the generated heat facing the drawbacks of current on-board ice-protection systems -> Yes because part of the generated power by the coil reached the metallic mesh.
3. Design a direct heating system -> No because all the power generated by the coil did not reach the metallic mesh.
4. Modular and flexible solution able to overcome the drawbacks of current electro-thermal de-icing systems -> Yes, a completely modular system was designed.
5. Design a lightweight system -> Yes, but if more power is needed to overcome the loss in the carbon fiber it is must be reevaluated.
