Aircraft Angle-of-Attack Sensor Credibility Coherence Test
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft angle-of-attack sensors are prone to malfunctions due to environmental and mechanical factors, leading to incorrect measurement readings that can result in unsafe flight conditions, and existing redundant systems are not entirely effective in providing reliable alternative data to pilots.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that perform coherence tests between angle-of-attack measurements and other flight characteristics, such as load factor and pitch angle, to determine the credibility of sensor data, activating low or intermediate states of credibility based on correlation indicators, and providing secondary speed information when primary measurements are deemed unreliable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stand by sensor probes are provided as redundant means, then reliability is improved, but the same malfunction risks persist because they are of the protruding type exposed to environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical protruding probe system with a coherent light-based measurement system. A laser source projects a light sheet through the aircraft structure, and photodetectors measure the light deflection caused by air flow over the surface, eliminating mechanical exposure to clogging and blocking while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical system (laser light sheet and photodetector arrangement) to measure angle of attack indirectly. Instead of directly measuring with exposed probes, the system uses light deflection as an intermediary phenomenon that correlates with air flow patterns, providing reliable measurements without mechanical exposure
2Measurement precision
If coherence tests between angle-of-attack measurements and flight characteristics are performed, then measurement credibility is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The flight control computer is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls aircraft operations and simultaneously performs coherence tests between angle-of-attack measurements and flight characteristics. This multi-functionality avoids adding separate dedicated testing equipment, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement verification capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously comparing angle-of-attack measurements with independent flight characteristic data (accelerometer, GPS, pitot-static readings) and using this comparison to assess measurement credibility. The feedback loop provides automatic verification without requiring complex external testing systems
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a state of credibility of measurements of an angle-of-attack sensor of an aircraft is provided. This method includes at least one coherence test between angle-of-attack measurements from said angle-of-attack sensor, and the measurements of a flight characteristic of the aircraft, distinct from the angle-of-attack. The coherence test includes determining an angle-of-attack value from said angle-of-attack sensor, determining said flight characteristic of the aircraft, determining a value of at least one indicator of the coherence of the angle-of-attack value with the value of said flight characteristic, and activating a low state of credibility, in which the measurements of said angle-of-attack sensor are deemed unreliable, or an intermediate state of credibility, in which the measurements from said angle-of-attack sensor are deemed coherent with said flight characteristic, based on the value of said coherence indicator.