Summary
This technical report presents an experimental analysis of icing on the rotor of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) conducted during the International Workshop on Atmospheric Icing of Structures (IWAIS) 2024. The study aims to assess the impact of atmospheric icing on UAV rotor performance in various flight conditions, specifically horizontal flight and vertical climb. Utilizing an icing wind tunnel, the researchers tested a 381 mm UAV rotor at temperatures of -5 °C and -10 °C. The analysis involved measuring thrust and torque changes due to ice accumulation, recorded through high-speed imaging and photogrammetry methods. Results indicate that the rotor's lift remains relatively stable after an initial drop in vertical configurations, whereas thrust declines continuously in horizontal configurations. The report emphasizes the importance of understanding ice accretion dynamics to enhance UAV operational capabilities in cold climates and to develop effective icing mitigation strategies.
