Aircraft Bleed-Air Moisture Collection for 5-10 ppm Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current humidity sensors, such as MEMS sensors, are not sensitive enough to measure atmospheric moisture levels in the 5-10 ppm range, which is crucial for reducing contrail formation, and existing advanced sensors are complex and expensive for airborne applications.
Innovation Solution
An atmospheric moisture measuring system using an aircraft air bleed system, comprising a moisture collector, heater, and timer system, which concentrates moisture for detection by low-cost sensors, potentially using multiple systems with staggered activation frequencies to enhance precision and redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If advanced humidity sensing technologies (e.g., optical based sensors) are used to reach precision in the 5-10 ppm range, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary concentration of moisture from the air sample before measurement. The moisture collector gathers moisture over a defined period, then the heater evaporates the collected moisture to concentrate it in the sensor chamber, allowing low-cost sensors to achieve high measurement precision through this pre-concentration step
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary concentration system between the air sample and the sensor. The moisture collector and heater act as intermediaries that transform dilute atmospheric moisture into concentrated evaporated moisture, enabling inexpensive sensors to detect trace moisture levels that would otherwise require complex optical sensors
2Measurement precision
If advanced humidity sensing technologies are used to reach precision in the 5-10 ppm range, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces expensive, complex optical sensors with inexpensive MEMS or capacitive sensors. The cost-saving approach uses a disposable/consumable moisture collection cycle where low-cost sensors achieve high precision through the concentration mechanism rather than through expensive sensor technology
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the concentration parameter of the moisture sample from 5-10 ppm atmospheric levels to highly concentrated evaporated moisture. This parameter transformation allows low-cost sensors operating at higher concentration ranges to achieve the same measurement precision that would require expensive sensors for direct atmospheric measurement
3Reliability
If multiple moisture measuring systems with staggered activation are used, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the measurement function into multiple independent moisture measuring systems that operate in parallel with staggered activation. Each system is a complete but simpler unit, and their coordinated operation provides redundancy and improved reliability without requiring each individual unit to be overly complex
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 provides low-cost, precise moisture measurements in the 5-10 ppm range, enabling effective contrail reduction by adjusting flight paths and operating parameters, while reducing the need for highly sensitive and costly sensors.
Implementation Method 1
Each heater is configured to heat an associated moisture collector to generate the evaporated moisture received by an associated moisture sensor
Implementation Method 2
Inexpensive sensor technology, such as a capacitive type microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensors can only measure moisture levels of around 500 ppm to 1000 ppm
Data Source
AI summary
An atmospheric moisture measuring system is provided that includes at least one moisture collector, at least one moisture sensor, at least one heater and at least one timer system. The at least one moisture collector is coupled to receive an airflow from a bleed system of a vehicle. Each moisture sensor is coupled to receive evaporated moisture from an associated moisture collector of the at least one moisture collector. Each heater is configured to heat an associated moisture collector to generate the evaporated moisture received by an associated moisture sensor. Each timer system is configured to selectively activate an associated heater.