A Rapid Prediction Model of Three-Dimensional Ice Accretion on Rotorcraft in Hover Flight

Helicopters often operate at altitudes where cloud activity is prevalent, making them susceptible to icing hazards. Accurate and rapid prediction of ice accretion on rotors is crucial for expanding helicopter flight capabilities and enhancing flight safety. In this paper, we first introduce an improved 3-D ice accretion simulation method that accurately models runback water characteristics by considering factors such as control volume size, runback water speed, and direction. This method precisely calculates the ice accretion mass and runback water distribution. Building upon this foundation, we then present a rapid ice accretion prediction model, designed to overcome the time-consuming nature of traditional CFD frameworks. In the experimental section, our simulation methodology is applied to a hovering UH-1H rotor. A comparative analysis with experimental results reveals that the maximum absolute ice thickness error remains below 3 mm, demonstrating satisfactory computational accuracy of the proposed approach. Moreover, we demonstrate the model’s rapid prediction capabilities (achieving within a computational time of 2.66 s and a maximum ice thickness error of 7.2 mm) and implement multi-parameter predictions.