Icing Wind Tunnel Tests Of A 15 Inch Propeller On Altitude

Abstract

In alpine environments, the performance of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be significantly affected by variations in air density associated with high-altitude conditions. Additionally, the combination of high humidity and low temperatures can lead to ice formation and accretion on the propellers, potentially compromising mission success. In this study, we adopt a single-rotor experimental approach to investigate the combined effects of altitude and icing conditions on key performance indicators of an ad-hoc version of a commercially available UAV propeller. Experiments are conducted inside a climatic chamber, with the temperature set to -2 °C and -14 °C to induce the formation of the two most distinct natural ice types: rime and glaze ice. To reduce variability, the cloud droplet size and liquid water content are kept constant throughout the tests. A constant throttle command is applied to the motor, and key performance variables such as thrust, torque, and electrical current are continuously monitored.