Aircraft Airflow Sensor Error Correction via Accelerometer Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft airflow sensors face inaccuracies during high G force and low speed maneuvers due to differences in moment arms between counterweights and vanes, leading to improper angle of attack measurements.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft airflow sensor probe with a vane assembly, rotatable shaft, accelerometers, and an angle of attack processor that detects aircraft movement and applies correction factors to ensure accurate angle of attack measurements, even during high G force and low speed maneuvers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a counterweight is used to balance the vane mass in the airflow sensor, then the sensor can more easily align with the airstream, but measurement accuracy deteriorates during high G force maneuvers due to moment arm differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical counterweight balancing system with an electronic correction system. Instead of mechanically balancing the vane with a counterweight, the invention uses accelerometers to detect aircraft maneuvers and computationally corrects the angle of attack measurements to compensate for the moment arm differences, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy without the mechanical complexity.
2Device complexity
If the counterweight is positioned closer to the aircraft centerline than the vane, then the sensor structure is more compact, but measurement accuracy deteriorates during high G force and low speed maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces accelerometers and a correction algorithm as intermediary elements between the imbalanced sensor structure and the measurement output. These intermediaries detect the aircraft's motion state and apply computational corrections to compensate for the structural imbalance, allowing the sensor to maintain accuracy despite the compact asymmetric configuration.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the vane and counterweight have equal and opposite moments, then the sensor achieves mechanical balance, but measurement accuracy deteriorates during pitch and roll maneuvers with high angular acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical balance requirement with an electronic correction approach. Rather than ensuring perfect mechanical balance between vane and counterweight, the system uses accelerometers to detect maneuver conditions and applies computational corrections to the angle of attack measurements, replacing the need for precise mechanical balancing.
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 solution provides more accurate angle of attack data, enhancing safety and performance by correcting for errors induced by aircraft maneuvers, ensuring precise airflow sensing and improved pilot feedback.
Implementation Method 1
at least one accelerometer configured to detect aircraft movement
Data Source
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AI summary
An aircraft airflow sensor probe configured to correct measurements based on aircraft movement includes a vane assembly configured to sense a direction of local airflow outside an aircraft, at least one accelerometer configured to detect aircraft movement, a sensor configured to sense and output a rotational position of the vane assembly, and an angle of attack processor configured to determine at least a measured angle of attack of the aircraft based on the rotational position of the vane assembly. The angle of attack processor further configured to determine a correction value based on the aircraft movement data provided by the at least one accelerometer and output a corrected angle of attack of the aircraft.