Icing detector with early warning capability

A method for the early warning of icing conditions was developed. The method is based on the optical anomalous dispersion of water and ice, which is used for ice detection, and a temperature decrease to enable early warning. The changing refraction behavior at a detection boundary area was examined using a radiation source and an optical branching that leads the backscattered light to a photodiode receiver. Ice on the detection area was reproducably indicated by a significant intensity change. The temperature change at the test point was measured by thermoelectric (Peltier) heat pumps. The global system produces reliable results under artificial climatic conditions as well as in long term tests in a free environment.