Abstract:
An open circuit natural icing wind tunnel sucking cold air from the outside in winter provides affordable icing wind tunnel test methods for full scale models and aircrafts. Information of natural icing wind tunnels is summarized, and test capabilities on large scale wings, propellers, and aircrafts are analyzed. The propeller and aircraft icing test methods were researched in Harbin using a single module natural icing wind tunnel, and ice accretion and shedding on the propeller are documented and analyzed, test results of which have a certain reference value for propeller and aircraft icing researches. A seasonal, moveable and assembled icing wind tunnel concept is presented which can take the advantage of cold winter climate, and allows a similar period from November to March to conduct icing tests compared with the outdoor icing test facility in Winnipeg, Canada. Researches provide references for the construction of national large scale natural icing test facilities and development of test methods.