Coaxial Static Port Apertures for Aircraft Pressure Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional static air data probes with multiple co-located static plates are complex, expensive, and difficult to heat adequately, leading to inaccurate pressure measurements and increased complexity in determining transducer failures.
Innovation Solution
A static port apparatus with coaxially arranged port apertures and a manifold assembly that channels airflow from each set of apertures into respective output ports, reducing complexity, weight, and energy requirements while ensuring accurate pressure measurements and simplified failure detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple co-located static plates are used, then measurement redundancy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple static port patterns that were previously distributed across separate static plates into a single integrated static plate. The static plate contains multiple sets of port apertures arranged in different patterns (e.g., linear, circular, triangular) all on one component, eliminating the need for multiple separate plates and their associated mounting hardware, thus reducing installation complexity while maintaining measurement redundancy
Solution Approach 2:
The single static plate serves multiple functions by incorporating different port patterns suitable for various sensor configurations and measurement requirements. The plate can accommodate linear arrangements, circular arrangements, and triangular patterns simultaneously, making it a universal component that replaces multiple specialized plates while maintaining the ability to provide redundant measurements
2Manufacturing precision
If static port patterns are spaced apart, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests multiple port patterns within a compact circular region on the static plate. Different patterns (linear, circular, triangular) are arranged concentrically or in nested configurations where smaller pattern sets are positioned within or around larger pattern sets, all contained within a small diameter region. This nesting approach allows multiple spaced-apart patterns to coexist in a compact area, avoiding the need for large plates while maintaining manufacturability
3Device complexity
If small distances between static port patterns are used, then device complexity is reduced, but heating capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing dedicated heating elements or heating zones associated with specific regions of the static plate where port patterns are located. Each cluster of port apertures can have its own heating capability, allowing localized thermal management. This ensures that even though port patterns are closely spaced, each region receives adequate heating to prevent ice formation or moisture condensation, maintaining heating effectiveness despite compact arrangement
Data Source
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AI summary
A static port apparatus for an aircraft having a static plate having inner and outer surfaces for fixture on the aircraft. The static plate including a first set of a plurality of port apertures and at least a second set of a plurality of port apertures. Each port aperture of the second set of port apertures is coaxially positioned with respect to each port aperture of the first set of port apertures.