Electrode-Arc Air Data Sensor for High-Speed Flight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air data sensor systems, such as pitot-static systems and LIDAR-based systems, face reliability issues at high velocities and altitudes due to common mode failures like blockages and low particulate concentrations, rendering them unreliable for supersonic or hypersonic flight.
Innovation Solution
The electrode-arc sensor system, which consists of a first and second electrode arranged parallel to form a fluid gap, generates an arc by applying a voltage sufficient to induce an arc between them, and a controller determines fluid speed and density based on time-series voltage measurements, allowing for accurate airspeed and air density estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pitot-static systems are used to measure airspeed, then the system is widely used and simple to implement, but it suffers from common mode failures such as blockages, icing, and overheating at high velocities and altitudes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pitot-static system with an optical LIDAR-based system that uses laser scattering and Doppler measurements to determine airspeed, eliminating mechanical components susceptible to blockages, icing, and overheating
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the measurement parameter from direct pressure differential (pitot-static) to optical scattering and Doppler shift measurements, allowing air data measurement without physical contact with the airstream that could cause blockages or icing
2Reliability
If LIDAR based systems are used to overcome common mode failures, then immunity to blockages and icing is achieved, but at higher altitudes the particulate concentrations are too low to estimate air data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a discharge-type flowmeter as an intermediary that generates electrical discharges in the airstream, using the electrical properties of the plasma rather than relying on particulate scattering, thus working effectively at high altitudes where particulate concentration is low
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the optical LIDAR system with an electrical discharge-based flowmeter that measures air data through electrical conductivity and discharge characteristics, which are effective independent of particulate concentration
3Reliability
If discharge type flowmeters are used to measure flow rate, then the system can operate without mechanical blockages, but the complexity of the electric spark generating device and electrode system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the discharge-type flowmeter to serve multiple functions: measuring flow rate, determining gas composition, and monitoring temperature, all through a single electrical discharge system, reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention simplifies the system by changing from optical measurement parameters to electrical measurement parameters, where a single voltage sensor can detect multiple aspects of the discharge process (breakdown voltage, arc frequency, current characteristics)
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
This solution provides reliable air data measurement at high velocities and altitudes, immune to common mode failures, by accurately determining airspeed and air density through the electrode-arc sensor system's ability to induce and analyze arcs in the airstream.
Implementation Method 1
A voltage source operatively connected to the first and second electrodes is configured to generate a voltage sufficient to induce an arc therebetween
Implementation Method 2
The LIDAR based systems operate by measuring laser scattering of air particulates to estimate airspeed based on Doppler measurements
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrode-arc sensor for measuring air data. The sensor includes a pair of electrodes which are arranged substantially parallel to one another to form a fluid gap therebetween. The fluid gap is arranged to receive a stream of fluid such as air. A voltage source is operatively connected to the pair of electrodes to generate a voltage and induce an arc therebetween. A controller operatively connected to the voltage source is configured to command the voltage source to generate a voltage until the arc is induced. Once induced, a time-series of the voltage measurements is generated based on a voltage sensor across the pair of electrodes. The ionized air surrounding the induced arc is acted upon by the fluid stream. The controller determines a fluid speed and fluid density of the fluid stream based on the time series of voltage measurement as the arc travels past the pair of electrodes.