Battelle Tests Anti-Icing Technology for Unmanned Aircraft
An example of the anti-icing capabilities of Battelle's HeatCoat technology. Photo: Battelle.
Battelle has successfully tested its HeatCoat anti-icing technology integrated on wing and engine elements over four days in a research aero-icing tunnel.
The carbon nanotube coating enabled the aircraft parts to bear temperatures as low as -22 degrees Fahrenheit and air speeds up to 182 knots.
HeatCoat is sprayed onto an aircraft surface like paint and creates a heated area when power is applied. An intelligent controller monitors performance and applies only the power needed for current conditions.
“Battelle has made a long term investment in this technology because we think it is so promising,” says HeatCoat Systems Product Manager Ron Gorenflo. He says Battelle is seeking a key partner to complete the next step in the testing process.
Traditional anti-aiding solutions are too heavy and require too much power to be effective on unmanned aircraft, however HeatCoat is a viable solution for these systems with limited payload and power. The technology also has no moving parts and can be retrofitted to existing assets, according to a company press release.
