Hybrid de-icing method combining electrothermal system and ultrasonic guided waves

A novel hybrid de-icing method combining an electrothermal system and ultrasonic guided waves is proposed for the leading edge structure of wind turbine blades. The adhesion strength between the ice layer and the leadingedge structure is reduced by the electrothermal system. Piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers are used to generate shear stresses to crack and remove ice. The heating resistance wires and transducers are pasted onto the inner surface of the leading-edge structure. The spacing of the resistance wires was calculated by a theoretical thermal model. A temperature recorder was used to measure the temperature changes at different measuring points on the leading-edge surface under electric heating. This study conducted ultrasonic guided waves de-icing, electrothermal de-icing, and combined electrothermal-ultrasonic de-icing experiments in a freezer with an airfoil leading edge model. The results reveal that the combined electrothermal-ultrasonic method is feasible and has great potential for ice shedding acceleration.