Co-located Temperature and Pressure Probe for Wake Turbulence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for measuring wake turbulence behind aircraft are plagued by inaccuracies due to spatially separated temperature and pressure sensors, which require spatial correction and are prone to fatigue or malfunction from debris, and are slow to respond to rapid changes in turbulent air.

Innovation Solution

A probe with co-located temperature and pressure sensors, including a fast-response thermocouple, that allows for simultaneous high-speed measurement of total temperature and pressure, with a removable tip for easy servicing and minimal need for spatial correction, capable of operating at extreme conditions like 1200 degrees F and Mach 1+.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If spatially separated temperature and pressure sensors are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to spatial correction requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor arrangementVSAvoidtemperature and pressure measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the temperature sensor and pressure sensor into a single co-located sensor assembly that measures both parameters at the exact same spatial position. This merging eliminates the spatial separation between sensors, thereby removing the need for spatial correction algorithms and improving measurement precision without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If conventional temperature sensors are used, then device complexity is reduced, but speed of measurement deteriorates due to slow response to rapid temperature changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature sensing mechanismVSAvoidresponse speed to temperature changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional slow-response temperature sensors with a thermocouple-based temperature sensing system. Thermocouples provide rapid electrical response to temperature changes, enabling the sensor to capture rapid temperature fluctuations in turbulent flows. This substitution of the sensing mechanism dramatically improves measurement speed while maintaining acceptable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If fixed sensor tips are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates due to inability to quickly replace damaged sensors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor tip assembly accuracyVSAvoidsensor replacement capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sensor assembly into a replaceable tip portion containing the temperature and pressure sensors, and a permanent support structure. The tip can be quickly removed and replaced in the field without replacing the entire probe assembly. This segmentation maintains manufacturing precision through precise mating features while dramatically improving ease of repair and sensor replacement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If sensors are exposed to harsh wake turbulence conditions, then measurement capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to fatigue failure and debris accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor operation under harsh conditionsVSAvoiddebris accumulation and thermal fatigue

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the sensor tip with a replaceable structure that can be proactively replaced before fatigue failure occurs. The removable tip design allows operators to replace sensors during routine maintenance intervals or when signs of wear appear, preventing catastrophic failure in harsh wake turbulence conditions. This proactive replacement strategy cushions against the harmful effects of thermal fatigue and debris accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the discarded practice of replacing worn sensor tips while recovering and reusing the expensive support structure and wiring harness. The replaceable tip design allows selective replacement of only the consumable sensor portion, discarding the degraded sensors while recovering and retaining the durable mounting infrastructure for subsequent sensor installations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 probe provides rapid, accurate, and simultaneous measurements of wake turbulence, reducing measurement errors and allowing for quick field replacement, thus improving data accuracy and reliability in harsh conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The probe employs a fast response thermocouple device that reacts quickly to rapid changes in airflow temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermocouple effect: Thermocouple

Implementation Method 2

The pressure sensor includes a stagnation tube having an open end adapted to face the flow of fluid and a pitot tube within the stagnation tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPitot tube principle: Pitot Tube

Data Source

PatentUS8413501B2Wake measurement probe

Publication Date: 2013.04.09 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A probe includes a stem having a tip that measures a wake produced by an object moving through a fluid. The probe includes temperature and pressure sensors co-located in the tip.