Electrostatic Airflow Angle Sensor Without Moving Parts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft sensors, particularly angle-of-attack sensors, are prone to damage and failure due to environmental factors such as icing, turbulence, and mechanical issues, leading to inaccurate readings that can compromise flight safety.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state sensor system using an emitter electrode and an array of collector electrodes to detect charged particles in airflow, providing redundant and reliable angle-of-attack measurements without moving parts, capable of withstanding adverse conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical angle-of-attack sensors are used, then the aircraft can obtain angle-of-attack data, but the sensors are prone to damage and failure due to environmental factors such as icing, turbulence, and mechanical issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical angle-of-attack sensors with an electrostatic sensor system that uses charged particles and electric fields to detect airflow angle. The sensor comprises an emitter electrode that generates charged particles and a collector electrode that detects particle flow, eliminating mechanical moving parts that are susceptible to icing and turbulence damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from mechanical displacement to electrical current measurement. By measuring the current generated by charged particles flowing between electrodes at different potentials, the system obtains angle-of-attack data without mechanical components, thereby improving reliability in adverse environmental conditions.
2Reliability
If redundant sensors are installed, then the aircraft can cross-check data and identify failures, but the complexity and cost of the sensor system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the collector electrode into multiple segments arranged in different orientations. Each segment detects charged particle flow in a specific direction, allowing the system to determine both magnitude and direction of airflow angle. This segmented approach provides redundant measurement capability within a single integrated sensor unit, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical sensors are used in adverse weather conditions, then the aircraft can operate in various environments, but the sensor readings become unreliable due to icing and turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sensors with an electrostatic field-based sensor that has no moving parts. The charged particles are generated and detected through electric fields between electrodes, making the measurement process immune to mechanical disturbances from turbulence and icing, thereby maintaining measurement precision in adverse weather conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces charged particles as an intermediary medium between the airflow and the detection system. The charged particles respond to electric fields and their flow patterns carry information about airflow angle, providing a measurement mechanism that is not directly affected by environmental factors like icing and turbulence.
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 enhances sensor reliability and maintainability by eliminating vulnerabilities of mechanical sensors, ensuring accurate angle-of-attack data even in challenging conditions, and providing additional air data like airspeed and temperature.
Implementation Method 1
The emitter electrode is configured to generate charged particles proximate the emitter electrode
Implementation Method 2
Each collector electrode of the array of collector electrodes is configured to detect a current associated with a flow of the charged particles
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A sensor includes an emitter electrode at a first position and exposed to a fluid airflow. The emitter electrode generates charged particles proximate the emitter electrode. The sensor includes an array of collector electrodes at a second position and exposed to the fluid airflow. Each collector electrode of the array of collector electrodes detects a current associated with an electric field of the charged particles during relative movement of the fluid airflow. The array of collector electrodes includes a first collector electrode aligned with the emitter electrode at a reference position, a first set of collector electrodes angularly offset from the first collector electrode in a first direction, and a second set of collector electrodes angularly offset from the first collector electrode in a second direction. Outputs from the array of collector electrodes indicate an angular direction of the relative movement of the fluid airflow.