Ice detection and precautionary system shut-down event reduction systems and related methods

An ice detection system for use in a turbine engine test cell, the test cell includes a test cell air intake and an air ducting structure providing an air path between the test cell air intake and a turbine engine, wherein said turbine engine has an air intake and a static wall air pressure sensor positioned adjacent to the turbine engine air intake to measure pressure of air passing into the turbine engine intake, which is a second air pressure sensor, said ice detection system comprising:

• a turbine engine ice detection test apparatus positioned in proximity to the test cell intake section, wherein the turbine engine ice detection test apparatus comprises:
• an engine pressure simulation device configured for simulating conditions at the air intake of a turbine engine;
• an air moving device connected to said engine pressure simulation device for moving air through said engine pressure simulation device, wherein the air moving device is configured to adjust the air flow through the engine pressure simulation device to approximate to engine pressures of a turbine engine being tested;
• and a first set of sensors disposed relative to said engine pressure simulation device to measure pressure of air passing through the engine pressure simulation device, wherein the first set of sensors comprises a first static wall pressure sensor and a first ice sensor;
• and a controller in communication with said first set of sensors and said second air pressure sensor that receives inputs from the first set of sensors and said second air pressure sensor and performs comparisons of inputs from the first set of sensors and said second air pressure sensor against each other and stored values to determine whether actual icing conditions exist.

A method of ice detection on a turbine engine, wherein the turbine engine has an air intake and draws air from an outside environment, said method comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a turbine engine test system comprising a turbine engine test apparatus that simulates conditions at the air intake of the turbine engine and comprises a first air pressure sensor, and positioning said test apparatus in a location that is spaced away from the turbine engine and is in the presence of air that is representative of the air that will be drawn into the intake of the turbine engine;
• b. running the turbine engine so that air moves through its air intake, and receiving information on the air pressure at the air intake;
• c. moving air through the turbine engine test apparatus to produce an air pressure in said test apparatus that approximates to air pressure at the air intake of said turbine engine:
• and d. determining whether icing conditions are developing in said test apparatus, and comparing inputs from the first air pressure sensor and the information on the air pressure at the air intake of the turbine engine against each other and stored values to determine whether actual icing conditions exist on the turbine engine intake.