Multi-hole Air Data Probe for Icing and Debris Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air data probes are prone to malfunction due to icing, bird strikes, and debris/plugging issues, leading to safety concerns and increased ownership costs in aircraft operations.
Innovation Solution
A multi-function air data probe with a cylindrical design and multi-hole ports, featuring flow stability structures and a self-aware health management system, which provides accurate measurements of angle of attack, static pressure, and total pressure while being robust against icing and debris, and capable of self-diagnosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional air data probe designs are used, then the probes can measure aircraft speed and angle of attack, but they are prone to malfunction caused by icing, impact with birds, and plugging with debris and/or insects
Solution Approach 1:
The probe head is divided into multiple sections with different functions: a forward-facing section for total pressure measurement, a rear-facing section for static pressure measurement, and angled sections for angle of attack measurement. Each section has dedicated ports that are spatially separated, reducing the likelihood that a single blocking event (ice, bird, debris) will affect all measurements simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the probe head are designed with different orientations and sensitivities. The forward-facing ports are optimized for total pressure, while rear-facing ports are optimized for static pressure. The angled ports are positioned to minimize exposure to direct airflow contaminants while maintaining measurement capability. This local differentiation ensures that harmful factors affecting one section do not compromise overall probe reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate sensors are used to measure different air data parameters, then measurement coverage is comprehensive, but system complexity and ownership costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions into a single integrated probe head structure. Total pressure sensors, static pressure sensors, and angle of attack sensors are all housed in one probe assembly with unified port configurations. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate sensors and reduces system complexity while maintaining comprehensive measurement coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe head is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously measures total pressure, static pressure, and angle of attack using a single integrated structure. The universal probe design allows one device to perform multiple measurement functions that would traditionally require separate specialized sensors, thereby reducing overall system complexity and ownership costs.
3Strength
If the probe head is made robust to withstand icing and impact, then reliability improves, but manufacturing precision and calibration accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The probe head employs a spherical or curved geometry in its overall structure and port configurations. This curved design provides inherent robustness against impact from birds, hail, and ice accumulation, as the rounded surfaces distribute mechanical stresses more evenly and prevent stress concentration points. Meanwhile, the spherical geometry maintains well-defined geometric relationships that facilitate accurate calibration and measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe head is constructed using composite materials that combine structural strength with dimensional stability. These composite materials provide the necessary robustness to withstand environmental harshness while maintaining the precision required for accurate pressure measurements and calibration. The composite structure allows for both durability and manufacturing precision to be achieved simultaneously.
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 probe offers enhanced accuracy and reliability in measuring aircraft speed, angle of attack, and altitude, reducing maintenance costs and improving aircraft safety through real-time monitoring and simplified manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of multi-hole ports are located in the probe head... operative to make measurements used to determine total pressure, static pressure, and angle of attack values
Implementation Method 2
The probe stem and the probe head can optionally each include flow stability features on their outer surfaces
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A multi-function air data probe comprises a probe stem having an outer surface that extends between a first end and an opposite second end, with the probe stem having a first cross-sectional diameter; and a probe head having an outer surface that extends between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the probe head is coupled to the first end of the probe stem. The probe head has a second cross-sectional diameter that is larger than the first cross-sectional diameter of the probe stem. A plurality of multi-hole ports is located in the probe head, with the multi-hole ports extending into and through the probe stem. The outer surface of the probe head includes an array of sensor holes arranged in a set of sensor hole rows that communicate with the multi-hole ports in the probe head. The multi-hole ports each include respective sensor manifold tubes that respectively communicate with one of the sensor hole rows through respective sets of multiple port tubes. The air data probe is operative to make measurements used to determine one or more of angle of attack values, total pressure values, and static pressure values.