Icing condition detection method

A method for detecting an icing condition, the method comprising:

• causing vibrations in a first piezoelectric material having a first surface proximate to a surface of a vehicle and configured to vibrate in a shear mode such that the first piezoelectric material vibrates in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction in which waves generated by the first piezoelectric material propagate;
• causing vibrations in the shear mode in a second piezoelectric material remote from the surface of the vehicle, wherein the first piezoelectric material and the second piezoelectric material are exposed to a same temperature;
• and
• detecting a difference in a frequency of vibrations in the first piezoelectric material compared to a frequency of vibrations in the second piezoelectric material to determine whether the icing condition is present.

A method for detecting an icing condition, the method comprising:

• causing vibrations in a first piezoelectric material having a first surface proximate to a surface of a vehicle and configured to vibrate in a shear mode such that the first piezoelectric material vibrates in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction in which waves generated by the first piezoelectric material propagate;
• causing vibrations in the shear mode in a second piezoelectric material remote from the surface of the vehicle;
• detecting a difference in a frequency of vibrations in the first piezoelectric material compared to a frequency of vibrations in the second piezoelectric material to determine the icing condition is present;
• and
• removing ice from the surface of the vehicle using an electrical resistive heater.