Aircraft Cabin Sensor Filtration for Accurate Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial aircraft face challenges in accurately detecting cabin temperature due to the cramped cabin space and the presence of overhead luggage bins, which can lead to erroneous temperature readings and sensor damage from dust and debris.
Innovation Solution
A temperature sensor system with a filter assembly is placed behind the luggage bins, featuring a bleed assembly that ensures a controlled flow of cabin air over the sensor, reducing dust and debris exposure and improving accuracy, and a filter frame design allowing easy filter replacement without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is placed in the cabin to detect temperature, then temperature detection capability is improved, but the sensor is exposed to dust and debris causing damage and erroneous readings
Solution Approach 1:
A filter assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the cabin environment and the temperature sensor. The filter allows air to pass through to the sensor while blocking dust and debris particles, thereby protecting the sensor from harmful contaminants while maintaining temperature detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensor is extracted from direct exposure to the cabin environment by placing it behind the filter assembly. The sensor remains in a protected location while still receiving conditioned air for temperature measurement, separating the sensing function from the harsh environment
2Reliability
If the filter assembly is made secure to protect the sensor, then protection capability is improved, but filter replacement becomes difficult requiring tools
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is segmented into distinct components: a filter frame that attaches to the housing and a filter media that can be independently removed. The filter frame includes features like ribs and grooves that provide secure mounting, while the filter media can be easily extracted and replaced without tools by pulling it from the frame
Solution Approach 2:
The filter assembly incorporates dynamic characteristics allowing the filter media to be easily inserted and removed from the filter frame. The design includes flexible elements and open structures that enable tool-free installation and replacement while maintaining a secure protected state during operation
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 enhances the reliability and accuracy of temperature sensing by minimizing the impact of dust and debris on the sensor, providing more precise cabin temperature readings and reducing the risk of sensor damage.
Implementation Method 1
disposing a filter over the inlet
Implementation Method 2
providing a temperature sensor, enclosing the temperature sensor within an enclosure
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are provided for detecting a temperature of a cabin within an airplane. The method includes the steps of providing a temperature sensor, enclosing the temperature sensor within an enclosure, coupling an inlet of the enclosure to the cabin of the airplane and an outlet to an air conditioning air return of the airplane and disposing a filter over the inlet.In another aspect, the apparatus includes a mounting plate having a center aperture, a curved profile in a first direction to conform to a vertical curve on a spacer between adjacent overhead luggage bins of an aircraft and a width in a second direction that fits between doors of the overhead luggage bins, a U-shaped bezel that engages the mounting plate, the bezel defining a pair of notches between the bezel and mounting plate along opposing inside edges of a pair of upright arms of the U-shaped bezel and a filter cartridge with a pair of opposing flanges that engages the notches and a filter media over a central portion that covers the aperture in the mounting plate.