Air Data System Hydrophobic Membrane Moisture Diversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pitot-static systems used to measure air speed on aircraft are prone to inaccuracies and potential failures due to moisture and debris accumulation, especially at high altitudes where freezing can occur, leading to incorrect data and catastrophic failures.
Innovation Solution
An air data system comprising a housing with a bore, dynamic and static ports, and a gas permeable membrane that directs moisture away from the ports, allowing for the determination of pressure differential between dynamic and static air, thereby minimizing the impact of debris and moisture accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pitot tubes and static ports are used to measure air speed, then air data can be obtained, but moisture and debris accumulate in the ports leading to inaccurate readings and potential failures
Solution Approach 1:
A hydrophobic coating is applied to the interior surfaces of the bore and ports, acting as an intermediary layer that repels moisture and prevents accumulation. This coating allows the system to maintain measurement accuracy while improving reliability by preventing freezing and clogging issues
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the properties of hydrophobic materials that create a barrier against moisture penetration. The coating's molecular structure repels water molecules, preventing moisture from entering and accumulating in the ports, thus maintaining both measurement precision and system reliability
2Temperature
If heaters are implemented to prevent freezing, then moisture accumulation is reduced, but moisture and debris may still accumulate in the pitot tube or static opening providing incorrect data
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophobic coating serves as a preventive intermediary that stops moisture accumulation before it can cause freezing or measurement errors. This eliminates the need for heaters while maintaining data accuracy by preventing the root cause of the problem
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophobic coating provides self-service protection by automatically repelling moisture through its inherent chemical properties. The system maintains itself without requiring external energy input from heaters, while continuously preventing both freezing and moisture accumulation that would compromise data accuracy
3Reliability
If the membrane spans the dynamic port to direct moisture away, then moisture diversion is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophobic coating acts as a distributed intermediary across all interior surfaces, eliminating the need for a separate membrane component. This approach achieves effective moisture diversion through the coating's inherent properties while maintaining simple device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophobic coating performs multiple functions simultaneously: it diverts moisture, prevents freezing, and maintains measurement accuracy. This universal solution replaces the need for separate components like membranes and heaters, reducing device complexity while improving reliability
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
The system provides accurate air data by effectively diverting moisture and debris from the ports, reducing the risk of freezing and clogging, and ensuring reliable operation even in harsh environments such as high altitudes or submerged conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a gas permeable membrane spanning the dynamic port, the static port, or both and configured to direct moisture away from the port which it spans
Data Source
AI summary
An air data system including a housing, a bore, a dynamic port, a static port, a gas permeable membrane, and a device configured to determine a pressure differential. The bore may be located within the housing and may extend from an inlet for receiving air flow to an outlet. The dynamic port may be located in the bore and be configured and positioned to receive air passing through the bore. The static port may be configured and positioned to receive unmoving or ambient air. The device may determine the pressure differential between dynamic air received at the dynamic port and static air received at the static port. And the membrane may span the dynamic port, the static port, or both and is configured to direct moisture away from the port which it spans.