Angle of Attack Sensor Thermal Management via Segmented Faceplate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Angle of attack sensors with rotatable vanes face ice accretion issues due to cold and moist airflow, leading to impaired vane rotation and inaccurate measurements, as traditional heating methods result in significant heat loss and power consumption without effectively preventing ice formation.
Innovation Solution
A multi-piece faceplate design with a thermally isolated heated chassis and mounting plate, utilizing standoffs and air gaps to direct heat flow towards rotating components, reducing ice accretion and improving measurement accuracy while minimizing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional heating methods are used on angle of attack sensors, then ice accretion is prevented, but significant heat loss and power consumption occur
Solution Approach 1:
The faceplate is divided into multiple pieces (outer faceplate and inner faceplate) that are thermally isolated from each other. This segmentation allows the heating element to be contained within the inner faceplate, directing heat only to the vane assembly rather than heating the entire sensor housing, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining ice prevention effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Heat is applied locally to the vane assembly and inner faceplate area rather than uniformly across the entire sensor. The heating element is positioned to provide concentrated thermal energy exactly where ice accretion occurs, improving heating efficiency and reducing overall power consumption while maintaining reliable ice prevention.
2Reliability
If traditional heating methods are used on angle of attack sensors, then ice accretion is prevented, but significant heat loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the faceplate into thermally isolated pieces, the patent contains heat within the inner faceplate and vane assembly area. This prevents heat from conducting into the outer faceplate and being lost to the surrounding environment, thereby reducing heat loss while maintaining effective ice prevention on the critical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermally isolated inner faceplate acts as an intermediary that transfers heat from the heating element to the vane assembly while preventing heat loss to the outer faceplate. This intermediary structure efficiently conducts heat to where it is needed while blocking the thermal path to external environments, reducing overall heat loss.
3Reliability
If the entire faceplate is heated, then ice accretion is prevented, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of heating the entire faceplate, the patent applies heating locally to the inner faceplate and vane assembly where ice accretion actually occurs. The thermal isolation between faceplate pieces ensures that heat energy is concentrated on the critical components rather than being distributed across the entire sensor housing, reducing power consumption while maintaining effective ice prevention.
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 solution effectively prevents ice accretion on the vane assembly by directing heat to the necessary components, enhancing measurement accuracy and reducing power requirements, thus ensuring reliable angle of attack readings in cold and moist conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a heated chassis defining a pocket and a mounting plate positioned adjacent the heated chassis
Implementation Method 2
utilizing standoffs and air gaps to direct heat flow towards rotating components
Data Source
AI summary
An angle of attack sensor includes a vane assembly and a multi-piece faceplate adjacent the vane assembly. The faceplate includes a heated chassis defining a pocket and a mounting plate positioned adjacent the heated chassis and having an opening. The vane assembly has a portion that is positioned in the pocket of the heated chassis and extends through the opening of the mounting plate.