Aircraft Sensor Strut Vented Bore for Adhesive Curing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Air data sensors face issues with sensor components, such as cartridge heaters, becoming displaced during adhesive curing due to trapped gas, leading to costly rework.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a strut with a bore and a vent shaft connected to it, allowing air to be evacuated as the sensor component is inserted, preventing displacement during adhesive curing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If sensor components are inserted into tight bores with minimal gap, then manufacturing precision is improved, but gas becomes trapped causing components to push out during curing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegap between sensor component and bore wallVSAvoidsensor component displacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vent shaft is pre-formed as part of the bore structure before sensor component insertion. This preliminary feature provides a gas escape path that prevents trapped gas from pushing the sensor component out during adhesive curing, thereby maintaining the tight fit while eliminating displacement issues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The vent shaft acts as an intermediary channel between the closed bore and the external environment. It mediates the gas trapped during component insertion by providing a controlled escape route, allowing the sensor component to remain securely positioned without gas pressure buildup

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If vent shaft is added to evacuate air, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor component retentionVSAvoidstrut structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vent shaft is merged with the bore structure as an integrated feature of the strut. Rather than being a separate component, the vent shaft is formed as part of the bore geometry, eliminating the need for additional parts while still providing the gas evacuation function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vent shaft serves multiple functions: it provides structural support as part of the strut, forms an integrated part of the bore assembly, and simultaneously acts as a gas evacuation channel. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity despite adding the venting capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution effectively reduces the likelihood of sensor components being pushed out of their bores during curing, minimizing rework costs and ensuring optimal performance.

Implementation Method 1

a vent shaft fluidly connected to the bore and including an outlet... allowing air to be evacuated as the sensor component is inserted

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentEP4530638A1Aircraft sensor with vented bores in a strut

Publication Date: 2025.04.02 ROSEMOUNT AEROSPACE INC

Figure 1
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Figure 3A

AI summary

An aircraft sensor includes a housing (12), a strut (14) connected to and extending from a top of the housing (12), and a probe (16) extending from the strut (14). The strut (14) includes a flange (18) extending radially outward from a bottom portion of the strut (14) and a body (20) extending from a top of the flange (18). The strut (14) also includes a bore (24) extending into the strut body (20) and having a closed end positioned in the body (20). The strut (14) also includes a vent shaft (28) fluidly connected to the bore (24) and including an outlet.