Adjustable Pitot Probe Mount for Rapid Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Pitot tube mounts in aircraft are inflexible, requiring time-consuming and costly flight test iterations to optimize sensor positioning, which delays calibration and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable Pitot tube system with a streamline tube and mount that allows rotation, linear translation, and multi-dimensional positioning, enabled by actuators and computer control, facilitating quick reconfiguration during flight tests and operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional fixed Pitot tube mounts are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but calibration time and cost increase due to inability to adjust sensor positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed Pitot tube mount into an adjustable system. The mount includes actuators (electronic or manual) that enable the Pitot probe to move along the streamline tube and rotate to different angles. This dynamic capability allows rapid calibration by positioning the probe optimally without requiring multiple flight test iterations, thereby increasing calibration speed while accepting increased structural complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple flight test iterations are performed to optimize Pitot tube position, then measurement precision can be improved, but time and cost are significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by enabling the Pitot probe to be pre-positioned and pre-oriented to the optimal calibration position using the adjustable mount and actuators. This preliminary positioning capability allows the sensor to be correctly aligned before flight tests begin, eliminating the need for multiple iterative flight tests to optimize position. The system performs the positioning action in advance, thereby achieving measurement precision without the time loss associated with repeated iterations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the Pitot tube position is fixed during manufacturing, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different flight configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the mount to serve multiple functions: it can hold the Pitot probe in various positions along the streamline tube and orient it at different angles. The adjustable mount with actuators provides configuration flexibility for different flight test requirements and operational modes. This multi-functional capability increases adaptability to different configurations while accepting increased manufacturing complexity compared to a fixed mount.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes an adjustable Pitot tube and method for using the same for operating or flight testing an aircraft comprising: a Pitot probe; a streamline tube connected to the Pitot probe; a mount on the aircraft connected to the streamline tube, wherein the streamline tube can at least one of rotate about an axis of the mount, or the streamline tube can move the Pitot probe closer to, or away from, a skin of the aircraft.