Aerospace Pressure Sensor with Integrated Temperature Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pressure sensors in aerospace require complex compensation calculations for temperature variations, necessitating individual sensor data entry and updates, which is cumbersome and inefficient, especially when sensors need to be replaced.
Innovation Solution
A sensor design incorporating a first sensitive element for measuring a physical quantity, a second sensitive element for measuring influencing temperature, a memory with a compensation table, and a processing unit that generates corrected measurements using both signals, along with a heating component to maintain the processing unit's temperature above a threshold, eliminating the need for external compensation calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature compensation calculations are performed in the control system for each sensor, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to required data entry and updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the compensation calculation function from the control system and relocates it to a dedicated compensation device. This separation allows the control system to simply receive corrected values without handling complex compensation calculations or sensor-specific data, thereby reducing control system complexity while maintaining measurement precision through specialized compensation processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The compensation device acts as an intermediary between the sensor and the control system. It receives raw sensor signals, performs temperature compensation calculations using stored sensor characteristics, and outputs corrected values to the control system. This intermediary handles the computational complexity and data management, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Measurement precision
If individual sensor data is stored in the control system for compensation, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of repair and productivity deteriorate when sensors need to be replaced
Solution Approach 1:
Sensor-specific compensation data is extracted from the control system and stored in the compensation device. When a sensor is replaced, only the new sensor needs to be connected to the compensation device, which automatically manages its compensation characteristics. The control system requires no data updates, enabling rapid sensor replacement without system reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The compensation device autonomously manages sensor data storage and retrieval. Each sensor's characteristics are automatically associated with its signal, and the compensation device independently performs calculations without requiring external intervention for data management. This self-service capability streamlines sensor replacement procedures.
3Measurement precision
If complex compensation calculations are performed externally, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to calculation and data entry requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature compensation lookup tables and calculation parameters are pre-computed and stored in the compensation device during manufacturing or initialization. When operational, the device performs rapid table lookups based on current temperature readings rather than performing complex real-time calculations, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex real-time mathematical calculations with pre-computed lookup tables and simplified interpolation algorithms. This substitution transforms the compensation process from computationally intensive operations to rapid data retrieval and simple calculations, dramatically reducing processing time while preserving measurement accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution simplifies pressure measurement by directly generating corrected digital signals, reducing the need for complex calculations and data entry, enhancing precision and reducing the mass of connecting cables, while maintaining sensor accuracy across varying temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
the heating component comprises at least one resistance, the processing unit being configured to control the electrical supply of the resistance to maintain the temperature of the processing unit above the threshold value
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor which is configured to measure the temperature of the processing unit
Implementation Method 3
a first sensitive element configured to measure the first physical quantity
Implementation Method 4
a second sensitive element configured to measure the second physical quantity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a sensor (1) for measuring a first physical quantity whose measurement is affected by a second physical quantity, said sensor (1) comprising a sensor body (10) inside which are installed: - a first sensitive element (11) configured to measure the first physical quantity; - a second sensitive element (12) configured to measure the second physical quantity; - a memory (13) on which is recorded a compensation table which determines a corrected value of the first physical quantity as a function of the value measured of the first physical quantity by the first sensitive element (11) and the value measured of the second physical quantity by the second sensitive element (12);- a processing unit (14) which is connected to the first sensitive element (11), the second sensitive element (12) and the memory (13), the processing unit (14) being configured to generate a measurement signal from the sensor (1) corresponding to the corrected value of the first physical quantity from the measured value of the first physical quantity by the first sensitive element (11), the measured value of the second physical quantity by the second sensitive element (12), and the compensation table.