Aerodynamic measuring probe

Abstract

Aerodynamic Measurement Probe The present invention relates to an aerodynamic measurement probe (10) comprising a body (14) including a surface of interest (40); the probe (10) being characterized in that it further comprises a temperature sensor (30) including a detection circuit (32) formed by one or more conductive coverings arranged on the surface of interest (40). Figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Aerodynamic measuring probe

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerodynamic measuring probe.

[0002] In particular, the probe according to the invention makes it possible to measure at least one of the following quantities: total pressure, static pressure, angle of incidence, temperature, velocity, etc. Probes of this type are known as anemobaroclinometric probes.

[0003] The aerodynamic measuring probe can thus be used in any device exposed to an aerodynamic flow such as an aircraft or a wind turbine.

[0004] The technical problem is to obtain temperature information in specific areas of the probes. Indeed, this parameter is key to ensuring the proper functioning of the probe in the different environmental conditions in which it operates (freezing conditions, water, etc.).

[0005] The present invention aims to solve this technical problem and to propose a solution enabling accurate temperature information in the areas of interest of a probe, while remaining compact and compatible with the use of the probe in a critical field such as, for example, the aeronautical field.

[0006] For this purpose, the invention relates to an aerodynamic measuring probe comprising a body including a surface of interest;

[0007] the probe being characterized in that it further comprises a temperature sensor comprising a detection circuit formed by one or more conductive covers arranged on the surface of interest.

[0008] The temperature sensor thus provides precise temperature information in a region of interest on the probe. The conductive coating or coatings remain particularly compact and prevent any modification of the probe's geometry. The invention can therefore be used in critical fields such as aeronautics.

[0009] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the probe comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0010] - the temperature sensor further comprises a measuring component suitable for measure a resistance and / or a voltage in the detection circuit to deduce the temperature of the surface of interest;

[0011] - the conductive coating or coatings are a conductive ink or paint driver;

[0012] - the detection circuit has at least two branches connected by a point of welded and formed of conductive coatings having different conductivities;

[0013] - the detection circuit has a pattern formed by the same overlap conductor and comprising two ends;

[0014] - the temperature sensor further comprises a pair of conductive tracks connected to the ends of the pattern;

[0015] - the conductive tracks extend at least partially over a surface of the body;

[0016] - the pattern is configured to maximize the contact area with the surface of interest;

[0017] - the motif is a spiral motif or a spiral motif with return or a hybrid motif spiral / crenellated;

[0018] - the probe further comprising heating means.

[0019] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0020] - [Fig. 1] [Fig. 1] is a schematic view of an aerodynamic measuring probe according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0021] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic view of an aerodynamic measuring probe according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0022] - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a view of different patterns applicable in the probe of the [Fig.2],

[0023] Figure 1 illustrates an aerodynamic measuring probe 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention. This probe can be used in any medium exposed to aerodynamic flows.

[0024] In particular, the probe 10 according to the invention makes it possible to measure at least one of the physical values ​​relating to the medium, such as total pressure, static pressure, incidence, temperature, speed, etc.

[0025] More specifically, probe 10 is an anemobaroclinometric probe which can, for example, measure several of the aforementioned quantities.

[0026] The medium in which the probe 10 is exposed is in particular a freezing medium, that is to say a medium in which frost accretions are likely to form outside or inside the probe.

[0027] The probe 10 is advantageously mounted on the fuselage of an aircraft or on an external part of a wind turbine.

[0028] Aircraft means any pilotable machine capable of moving through the air. In particular, an aircraft may refer to an airplane, a helicopter, or a drone.

[0029] As illustrated in [Fig.1], the probe 10 comprises an internal part 12 and a body 14.

[0030] The internal part 12 includes an electronic module 16 for ensuring the operation of the probe 10. The internal part 12 is advantageously arranged to sheltered from aerodynamic flows, for example in an internal part of the aircraft or wind turbine fuselage.

[0031] The body 14 comprises an external surface 17 exposed to aerodynamic flows. The body 14 is, for example, fixed to an external surface of the aircraft fuselage or to an external surface of the wind turbine such as a blade.

[0032] The body 14 has or forms a movable part or a sensitive part that allows the necessary measurements to be taken when exposed to aerodynamic flows. For example, the electronic module 16 is capable of generating measurements (such as an angle of attack, for example) as a function of the position of the movable part.

[0033] In the example of [Fig.1], the body 14 has an angle-of-attack probe vane.

[0034] The body 14 includes heating means (not shown) for preventing icing on the various parts of the body 14, and in particular on the moving part or the sensitive part. The operation of the heating means is controlled, for example, by the electronic module 16.

[0035] The heating means include a heating circuit which is for example integrated into the body 14 or extends at least partially over its outer surface 17.

[0036] The heating circuit may have, for example, a resistive circuit or any other means known in itself.

[0037] According to the invention, the probe 10 further comprises a temperature sensor 30 for measuring the temperature of the body 14 in one or more areas of interest. The area or areas of interest are advantageously located near the moving part or the sensitive part of the body 14. Alternatively or advantageously, the area or areas of interest are at least partially connected to the heating circuit.

[0038] The temperature sensor 30 includes a detection circuit 32 and a measuring component 34.

[0039] In the example of [Fig. 1], the detection circuit 32 has at least two branches 35A, 35B connected at one of their two ends by a solder point 36. At the other end, each branch 35A, 35B is connected directly to the measuring component 34. Alternatively, the branches 35A, 35B are connected indirectly to the measuring component 34, for example via a connecting circuit. This connecting circuit includes, for example, a pair of wires.

[0040] Each branch 35A, 35B extends over a surface of interest 40 of the body 14. The surface of interest 40 presents, for example, a portion of the outer surface 17 of the body 14 and advantageously covers the area or areas of interest as defined above. Alternatively, the surface of interest 40 presents any other surface of the body 14.

[0041] According to the invention, each branch 35A, 35B is formed of a conductive coating disposed on the surface of interest 40. Advantageously, the branches 35A, 35B are formed of conductive coatings having different conductivities. For this purpose, these conductive coatings may, for example, be made of materials of different natures and / or different densities and / or different masses and / or different compositions and / or different crystalline structures and / or different thicknesses or geometries and / or specific barriers or interfaces and / or particular thermal or chemical treatments, etc.

[0042] In particular, with regard to the use of materials of different natures, the conductivities vary according to the materials used. For example, copper is a good electrical conductor, while aluminum has a slightly lower conductivity.

[0043] With regard to the crystalline structure, in certain materials, such as semiconductors, the conductivity can be modified by manipulating its crystalline structure. For example, by doping a semiconductor material with impurities, its conductivity can be altered.

[0044] With regard to thickness or geometry, the conductivity of a material can also be influenced by varying at least one of these elements. For example, by using thin layers of conductive materials of different thicknesses, different conductivities can be obtained.

[0045] With regard to the introduction of barriers or interfaces, by creating these between different materials, conductivity can also be influenced. For example, by superimposing layers of conductive and insulating materials, different conductivities can be obtained.

[0046] With regard to the use of specific thermal or chemical treatments, these treatments can modify the conductivity of the materials. For example, by oxidizing or reducing a material, its conductivity can be altered.

[0047] It should be noted that the aforementioned techniques for making the conductivities of the corresponding branches different can be combined with each other.

[0048] Advantageously, each conductive coating is a conductive ink or a conductive paint, such as, for example, an ink based on silver, copper or graphene.

[0049] Advantageously, each conductive coating is placed on the surface of interest 40 by spraying or by any other means known per se directly on the surface of interest 40.

[0050] According to some examples, each conductive cover is protected by a protective cover in order to protect the detection circuit from external effects. This protective cover extends, for example, over the entire surface of interest 40.

[0051] The measuring component 34 allows a voltage (i.e., a potential difference) to be measured between the different branches 35A, 35B. From these measurements, the measuring component 34 allows the temperature of the surface of interest 40 and possibly of the or each zone of interest to be deduced.

[0052] The measuring component 34 is advantageously integrated into the internal part 12 of the probe 10. In some examples, the measuring component 34 may be part of the electronic module 16.

[0053] The measuring component 34 is capable of transmitting information on the temperature of the surface of interest 40 to the electronic module 16 which is capable, for example, of controlling the operation of the heating means according to this information or of raising an alert, in the event, for example, of a temperature that promotes frosting.

[0054] Figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of an aerodynamic measuring probe 10 according to the invention.

[0055] This probe 10 is substantially similar to that described previously. Thus, analogous or identical elements of the probe 10 according to the second embodiment will not be described below.

[0056] The probe 10 according to the second embodiment differs from that according to the first embodiment only by the temperature sensor which will be denoted in this second embodiment by reference 130.

[0057] Thus, according to the second embodiment, the temperature sensor 130 comprises a detection circuit 132, a measuring component 134 and a pair of conductive tracks 136.

[0058] According to this embodiment, the detection circuit 132 has a pattern formed by a single conductive coating and comprising two ends. The conductive coating corresponds, for example, to one of the conductive coatings described above and notably includes a conductive ink or a conductive paint.

[0059] The pattern is arranged on the surface of interest 40 using any possible technique as described above.

[0060] Advantageously, the pattern is configured to maximize the contact area with the surface of interest 40. Thus, in the example of [Fig.2], the pattern has the shape of an "E" extending over the entire surface of interest 40.

[0061] However, other examples of patterns are also possible. Thus, [Fig. 3] illustrates a spiral pattern (part A), a spiral pattern with a return (part B), and a hybrid spiral / crenellated pattern (part C). These patterns can be used individually or in combination to cover the area of ​​interest 40.

[0062] The pair of conductive tracks 136 connects the ends of the pattern to the measuring component 134. The pair of conductive tracks 136 extends, for example, at least partially on the outer surface 17 of the body 14. This pair 136 can be made of the same material as the sensing circuit 132 (i.e., a conductive coating) or of a different material. In the latter case, the pair of conductive tracks 136 can, for example, be made of electrical wires.

[0063] The measuring component 134 is suitable for measuring the resistance of the detection circuit 132 or any change in such resistance in order to deduce the temperature of the surface of interest 40. As in the previous case, the measuring component 134 is integrated into the internal part 12 of the probe and can be part of the electronic module 16.

[0064] The temperature sensor 130 according to the second embodiment has a particular advantage because the sensing circuit 132 can adapt to any geometry of the body 14. In addition, it offers high accuracy, fast response and good long-term stability.

Claims

Demands

1. Aerodynamic measuring probe (10) comprising a body (14) comprising a surface of interest (40); the probe (10) being characterized in that it further comprises a temperature sensor (30; 130) comprising a detection circuit (32; 132) formed by one or more conductive covers arranged on the surface of interest (40).

2. Probe (10) according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor (30; 130) further comprises a measuring component (34; 134) capable of measuring a resistance and / or a voltage in the sensing circuit (32; 132) to deduce the temperature of the surface of interest (40).

3. Probe (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conductive coating or each coating is a conductive ink or a conductive paint.

4. Probe (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensing circuit (32) has at least two branches (35A, 35B) connected by a weld point (36) and formed of conductive overlaps having different conductivities.

5. Probe (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sensing circuit (132) has a pattern formed of a single conductive covering and comprising two ends.

6. Probe (10) according to claim 5, wherein the temperature sensor (130) further comprises a pair of conductive tracks (136) connected to the ends of the pattern.

7. Probe (10) according to claim 6, wherein the conductive tracks (136) extend at least partially over a surface of the body (14).

8. Probe (10) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the pattern is configured to maximize the contact area with the surface of interest (40).

9. Probe (10) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the pattern is a spiral pattern or a spiral pattern with return or a hybrid spiral / crenellated pattern.

10. Probe (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising heating means.

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