Microacoustic Ice Detection and Thickness Measurement for Wireless Condition Monitoring

Icing on wind turbine blades compromises both safety and energy yield, yet existing detection systems often lack reliability. This study presents a compact, passive, wireless sensor based on shear-horizontal surface acoustic waves (SHSAW) for discrete ice thickness measurement. Simulations identified$41^{\circ} \mathrm{Y}$-cut$\text{LiNbO}_{3}$with a$\text{SiO}_{2}$waveguide as the optimal configuration, offering high electromechanical coupling and strong differentiation of surface loads with a fully metallized wave propagation path. Reflective delay line sensors fabricated accordingly exhibited distinct attenuation in the time-domain$S_{11}$reflection coefficient under water and ice loading, enabling discrete ice thickness detection from 0 to over 13 mm. The sensor also provides temperature readings unaffected by surface conditions, enabling predictive icing condition detection.