Solid-State Airflow Angle Sensor Using Charged Particle Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft sensors for detecting the angle of attack are prone to mechanical failures and environmental interference, leading to inaccurate readings that can compromise flight safety.

Innovation Solution

A solid-state sensor system using an emitter electrode and an array of collector electrodes to generate and detect charged particles, providing redundant and reliable angle-of-attack measurements by detecting currents indicative of airflow angles without moving parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional mechanical sensors are used for angle of attack detection, then the sensor structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the sensor is prone to mechanical failures and environmental interference leading to inaccurate readings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor reliabilityVSAvoidsensor structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical angle-of-attack sensors with a solid-state sensor system that uses electrical fields and charged particles to detect airflow angle. The sensor includes an emitter electrode that generates charged particles and a collector electrode that detects their movement, eliminating mechanical moving parts while providing more reliable measurements resistant to environmental interference such as icing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If redundant sensors are installed to ensure accurate readings, then the safety and reliability are improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflight safetyVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system divides the detection function into multiple independent collector electrodes arranged in an array, each capable of detecting charged particle flow from different angular positions. This segmentation allows the system to determine angle of attack through signal processing of multiple electrodes rather than using multiple complete redundant sensor assemblies, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If mechanical sensors are used in adverse weather conditions, then the sensor structure is simple, but the sensor performance degrades due to icing and turbulence

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental resistanceVSAvoidangle of attack accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing mechanical sensing elements with electrical field-based detection, the system eliminates surfaces that can accumulate ice or be affected by turbulence. The charged particles generated by the emitter electrode are detected by the collector electrode through electrical field interactions that are not susceptible to icing conditions, maintaining measurement precision in adverse weather.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 sensor reliability by eliminating mechanical vulnerabilities and ensures accurate angle-of-attack readings even in adverse conditions, contributing to safer aircraft operations.

Implementation Method 1

The emitter electrode is configured to generate charged particles proximate the emitter electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 2

Each collector electrode of the array of collector electrodes is configured to detect a current associated with a flow of the charged particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20250361023A1Systems and methods for detecting an angle of an airflow

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A sensor includes an emitter electrode at a first position and exposed to a fluid airflow. The emitter electrode generates charged particles proximate the emitter electrode. The sensor includes an array of collector electrodes at a second position and exposed to the fluid airflow. Each collector electrode of the array of collector electrodes detects a current associated with an electric field of the charged particles during relative movement of the fluid airflow. The array of collector electrodes includes a first collector electrode aligned with the emitter electrode at a reference position, a first set of collector electrodes angularly offset from the first collector electrode in a first direction, and a second set of collector electrodes angularly offset from the first collector electrode in a second direction. Outputs from the array of collector electrodes indicate an angular direction of the relative movement of the fluid airflow.