Independent Aircraft Probe Blockage Detection by Pressure Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft air data probes are susceptible to blockage conditions due to icing, moisture, volcanic ash, sand/dirt, and insect nesting, leading to erroneous or lost data readings, which can impact downstream systems.
Innovation Solution
A blockage detection system within an air data computer uses a blockage detection algorithm to convert static and impact pressures into a correlating variable, evaluating it against thresholds to detect and indicate probe blockages, and optionally uses external probes to confirm blockage clearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blockage detection system using algorithms and existing sensors is implemented, then probe blockage detection capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the probe's own existing sensors (static pressure and impact pressure sensors) to detect blockages, eliminating the need for external sensors. The algorithm processes data from the probe's inherent measurement capabilities to self-diagnose blockage conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces potential mechanical detection methods with an algorithmic approach. By using software-based analysis of pressure differentials and correlating variables, the system achieves blockage detection without additional mechanical sensors or physical inspection mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If external sensors are added to confirm blockage clearance, then detection accuracy is improved, but weight and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing static pressure and impact pressure sensors serve multiple functions: they provide data for both normal air data measurements and blockage detection algorithms. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated external sensors to confirm blockage clearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses virtual modeling and correlating variables created through algorithms to represent physical blockage conditions. By comparing actual sensor readings against modeled expectations, the system achieves accurate detection without physical copy sensors.
Data Source
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AI summary
A blockage detection system for detecting aircraft probe blockages includes a processor (108), a communication device (110), and computer-readable memory (112). The computer-readable memory (112) encoded with instructions that, when executed by the processor (108), cause the system to execute a blockage detection algorithm. The processor (108) receives a static pressure and an impact pressure from one or more aircraft probes (102). The processor (108) converts the static pressure and the impact pressure to a correlating variable, via the blockage detection algorithm. The processor (108) evaluates the correlating variable, via the blockage detection algorithm, to determine if a value of the correlating variable exceeds a threshold indicative of a blockage. The processor (108) outputs a blockage indicator, to a receiving system in response to the correlating variable exceeding the first threshold indicative of a blockage. The processor (108) is further able to determine if the blockage has cleared by reference to an external comparative pressure measurement.