Design of Micro-Ice Detection Sensor for Aerospace Application

MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) design systems are used for the development of Micro Ice Detection Sensors, which give change in capacitance as output when ice is detected on aircraft body. Ice detection technique using Silicon diaphragm as sensing element by using Intellisuit is presented. The capacitive technique for ice detection is used. Finite element analysis (FEA) is done to optimize the sensor geometry for enhanced sensitivity to ice accretion. The sensor is simulated in 2 modes, Pressure Sensitive Mode and Stiffness mode. In pressure sensitive mode, the capacitance change obtained is proportional to the ice accretion on the diaphragm. In Stiffness mode, the capacitance obtained is inversely proportional to the ice film formed on the diaphragm. Thus ice present on the body of aircraft can be detected by using Micro capacitive Ice detection Sensor.