Developing a Hardware and Software Complex for Measuring the Three-Dimensional Ice Geometry on Object Surfaces

The chapter discusses a system for measuring the three-dimensional geometry of ice that forms on the functional elements of a wind turbine’s surface within a climatic wind tunnel. A software and hardware complex has been developed to accurately measure three-dimensional ice geometry using the phase triangulation method. The phase triangulation method has been adapted for measurements under conditions of limited volume and optical signal refraction. A calibration method for the measuring system has been developed to establish a one-to-one correspondence between the coding phase of the sine wave and the three-dimensional coordinates of the object. This accounts for the limited volume and optical signal refraction. Additionally, a software module has been created to optimize measuring system parameters, considering the ice surface’s light scattering properties, external lighting conditions, and minimizing measurement errors. The software also supports automated search for optimal photodetector parameters based on intermediate measurement data. An automated search method for the optimal frequency of phase modulation based on calibration data has been developed and implemented. Another software module has been developed for analyzing the icing of an object based on the results of measuring its three-dimensional geometry. The developed software and hardware complex is extensively used in the process of scientific research within a climatic wind tunnel to evaluate the efficacy of methods for mitigating functional element icing in wind turbines.