Cone-Shaped Air Data Probe for High-Speed Flight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air data systems are inadequate for air vehicles operating at high altitudes and speeds due to drag and stress issues, requiring minimal protrusions, yet still need to determine essential parameters like static pressure, angle of attack, and angle of sideslip effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cone-shaped air data probe with a minimal number of pressure ports, including a total pressure port at the tip and evenly spaced angle of attack and sideslip ports, coupled with pressure transducers and a processing device to calculate these parameters using algorithmic methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional air data systems with protrusions, pitot probes, and mechanical vanes are used, then air data parameters can be determined, but drag increases and structural stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential pressure sensing function from the complex conventional air data system, eliminating protrusions, mechanical vanes, and other non-essential components. The cone-shaped probe with minimal pressure ports achieves air data parameter determination through algorithmic processing of pressure differential signals, thereby removing the harmful drag and stress factors while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical measurement systems (protrusions, pitot probes, mechanical vanes) with an algorithmic processing system. Pressure transducers convert pressure differential signals into electrical signals, which are then processed by a computer to calculate air data parameters, eliminating the need for complex mechanical structures that generate drag and stress.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If minimal protrusions are used to reduce drag and stress, then drag and stress are reduced, but determining air data parameters becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cone-shaped probe serves multiple functions simultaneously: it measures total pressure at its tip, measures static pressure through pressure ports on its surface, and determines angle of attack and sideslip through pressure differentials. This multi-functionality allows accurate air data parameter determination with minimal protrusions, resolving the contradiction between reduced drag and maintained measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from direct mechanical measurement to pressure differential measurement. By measuring pressure differences between multiple ports and using algorithmic processing, the system determines air data parameters accurately while using minimal protrusions, thus reducing drag and stress without sacrificing measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If a cone-shaped probe with multiple pressure ports is used, then accurate determination of air data parameters is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the probe into functional zones: a tip region for total pressure measurement, a mid-section with pressure ports for static pressure and angle measurement, and a base region for signal processing. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function efficiently, achieving accurate air data parameter determination while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple and manageable.
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
Enables accurate determination of static pressure, angle of attack, and angle of sideslip with minimal drag, suitable for high-altitude and high-speed flight profiles, while maintaining a low number of protrusions, thus enhancing flight control capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, at a plurality of pressure transducers, a plurality of pressures transferred through a cone-shaped probe
Data Source
AI summary
An air data system is described that includes a cone-shaped probe, a plurality of pressure transducers, and a processing device. The cone-shaped probe includes a first pressure port formed in a substantial tip of the probe and extending therethrough, and a plurality of pressure ports formed in a substantially evenly spaced circular pattern about a sloped surface of the probe and extending through the probe. The plurality of pressure transducers are each configured to receive at least one pressure transferred through at least one of the pressure ports and output one or more signals related to the pressures sensed. The processing device is configured to receive signals originating from the transducers. The processing device is further configured to calculate a static pressure, an angle of attack, and an angle of sideslip based on the received signals.