Wave propagation in an aircraft wing slat for de-icing purposes

Raffaele, Davide, Waters, Timothy and Rustighi, Emiliano (2020) Wave propagation in an aircraft wing slat for de-icing purposes. Euro-Mediterranean Conference on Structural Dynamics and Vibroacoustics, , Napoli, Italy. 17 - 19 Feb 2020. pp. 1-4 .

Abstract

Ice accretions on aircraft lifting surfaces must be removed in flight to avoid catastrophic accidents. Conventionally, this is done effectively but inefficiently by bleeding hot air from the engines prompting a number of low energy approaches to be explored that use high amplitude shock or vibration. One recently proposed method, which has so far been successfully implemented for a beam, generates a shock response at a target position by focusing elastic waves in time and space from a single actuator. However, prior knowledge of the dispersion characteristics of such waves is required. In order to extend the applicability of the technique, this paper aims to predict the dispersion curves of waves propagating along the leading edge of a Boeing 737 wing slat. A semi-analytical finite element (SAFE) model is implemented in Comsol Multiphysics software. By assuming a spatially harmonic displacement field in the direction of propagation only the 2-D cross section of the waveguide needs to be meshed.
Dispersion curves are presented for the leading edge portion of the erosion shield under several assumed sets of boundary conditions. The dispersion curves are compared with measured results from laboratory tests conducted on the real wing slat and found to be in good qualitative agreement. The model will be further developed to predict interfacial shear stresses between the wing skin and accreted ice under transient loading.

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Contributors

Author: Davide Raffaele

Author: Emiliano Rustighi

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