EASA Part 66 Propellers

Category A Module 17 17.5 Propeller Ice Protection

"These notes and diagrams are compiled by AAGH1 Shannon

Aviation Training Academy Maintenance Training Organisation and
although comprehensive in detail they are intended for use only with
a course of instruction. When compiled they are as up to date as SUB-MODULE 17.5
possible and amendments will not be issued”.

All pages contained in this training manual are to be considered as

issue 0 (zero). Any future revisions to a page shall have the issue Propeller Ice Protection
number printed on the relevant page.

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 EASA Part 66 Propellers

Category A Module 17 17.5 Propeller Ice Protection

EASA Part 66 Module 17.5 Category A Syllabus Level

17.5 Propeller Ice Protection 1

Fluid and Electrical De-Icing Equipment

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 EASA Part 66 Propellers

Category A Module 17 17.5 Propeller Ice Protection

Table of Contents Page Issue

Fluid Systems (Anti-Icing) 1 0

Electrical De-Icing Equipment 2 0

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 EASA Part 66 Propellers

Category A Module 17 17.5 Propeller Ice Protection

Propeller Ice Protection

Effects of Propeller Icing

Ice formation on a propeller blade, in effect, produces a distorted blade

airfoil section, which causes a loss in propeller efficiency. Generally, ice
collects unsymmetrically on a propeller blade and produces propeller
unbalance and destructive vibration.

Fluid Systems (Anti-Icing)

A typical fluid system (Fig. A) includes a tank to hold a supply of anti-icing
fluid. This fluid is forced to each propeller by a pump. The control system
permits variation in the pumping rate so that the quantity of fluid delivered
to a propeller can be varied, depending on the severity of the icing. Fluid is
transferred from a stationary nozzle on the engine reduction gear case (or
nose case) into a circular U-shaped channel (the slinger ring) mounted on
the rear of the propeller assembly or the back of the spinner. The fluid
under pressure of centrifugal force is transferred through nozzles to a
receiving cup at each blade root.

Because airflow around a blade tends to disperse anti-icing fluids to areas

on which ice does not collect in large quantities, feed over-shoes, or boots, Fig A
are installed on the blade leading edge. These over-shoes are a narrow
strip of rubber, extending from the blade root to a blade station that is Isopropyl alcohol is used in some anti-icing systems because of its
approximately 75% of the propeller radius. The over-shoes are moulded availability and low cost. Phosphate compounds are comparable to
with several parallel open channels in which fluid will flow from the blade isopropyl alcohol in anti-icing performance and have the advantage of
root toward the blade tip by centrifugal force. The fluid then flows laterally reduced flammability. However, phosphate compounds are comparatively
from the channels, over the leading edge of the blade. expensive and, consequently, are not widely used.

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 EASA Part 66 Propellers

Category A Module 17 17.5 Propeller Ice Protection

Electrical De-Icing Equipment

An electrical propeller icing control system (Fig. B) consists basically of an To prevent element overheating, the propeller de-icing system is generally
electrical energy source, a resistance heating element, system controls, used only when the propellers are rotating and only for short periods of
and necessary wiring. The heating, elements are mounted internally or time during ground run-up.
externally on the propeller spinner and blades. Electrical power from the
aircraft system is transferred to the propeller hub through electrical leads,
which terminate in slip rings and brushes. Flexible connectors are used to
transfer power from the hub to the blade elements.

Icing control is accomplished by converting electrical energy to heat

energy in the heating element. Balanced ice removal from all blades must
be obtained as nearly as possible if excessive vibration is to be avoided.
To obtain balanced ice removal, variation of heating current in the blade
elements is controlled so that similar heating effects are obtained in
opposite blades.

Electrical de-icing systems are usually designed for intermittent application

of power to the heating elements to remove ice after formation but before
excessive accumulation. Proper control of heating intervals aids in
preventing "runback", since heat is applied just long enough to melt the ice
face in contact with the blade.

If heat supplied to an icing surface is more than that required to melt just
the inner ice face, but insufficient to evaporate all the water formed, water
will run back over the unheated surface and freeze. Runback of this nature
causes ice formation on uncontrolled areas of the blade or surface.

Cycling timers are used to energise the heating element circuits for periods
of 15 to 30 seconds, with a complete cycle time of usually 2 minutes. A
cycling timer is an electric motor driven contactor which controls power
contactors in separate sections of the circuit.

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 EASA Part 66 Propellers

Category A Module 17 17.5 Propeller Ice Protection

1. What is the purpose of the slinger ring? 6. How is power transferred out to the propeller?

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2. What is the principal of operation of a slinger ring? 7. Where are the carbon brushes located?

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3. How is fluid transferred out along a blade kept at the front of 8. Explain the timing system on a propeller heating system?
the blade?
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9. What detrimental effects have ice got on a propeller?

4. What anti icing fluids can be used?
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5. Describe the parts of an electrical heating system?

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 EASA Part 66 Propellers

Category A Module 17 17.5 Propeller Ice Protection

NOTES:

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