LiDAR Air-Data Verification for Pitot Probe Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air-data systems, including pitot probes and angle of attack vanes, can become clogged or malfunction due to ice, sand, dirt, or insect nests, leading to inaccurate or unreliable readings that can cause dangerous flight conditions such as aircraft stalls or loss of control.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a simplified optical LiDAR system to verify the proper operation of air-data systems by emitting optical signals along different lines of sight, comparing velocity projections with air-data measurements, and transmitting alerts if discrepancies exceed predefined parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional air-data measurement system is used, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but it becomes unreliable when pitot probes become clogged with ice, sand, dirt, or insect nests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces LiDAR technology as an intermediary measurement system that uses optical signals to measure atmospheric parameters independently of the conventional pitot-static system. The LiDAR system serves as a mediator to verify air-data measurements without being susceptible to clogging by ice, sand, dirt, or insect nests, thereby resolving the reliability issue while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pitot-static probe system with an optical LiDAR-based measurement system. By substituting mechanical components that are prone to clogging with optical sensors that emit and detect light signals through the atmosphere, the system achieves higher reliability without requiring complex mechanical maintenance, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
2Reliability
If a standalone LiDAR system is implemented to verify air-data measurements, then measurement reliability improves, but the system complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the LiDAR verification system with the existing air-data measurement system by integrating the optical measurement capabilities into the conventional framework. This combination allows the system to use LiDAR for verification purposes while maintaining the simplicity of the original air-data system architecture, thus improving reliability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the LiDAR system multi-functional by using it for both primary atmospheric parameter measurement and verification of air-data system readings. This universal application allows a single optical system to serve multiple purposes, reducing the need for separate verification equipment and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining high measurement reliability
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
Ensures accurate air-data measurements by detecting potential malfunctions in air-data systems, thereby enhancing flight safety and preventing dangerous flight conditions.
Implementation Method 1
for each emitted optical signal, receiving, at the vehicle, a reflected optical signal, wherein each reflected optical is a reflection, from the different region of atmosphere, of at least a portion of an emitted optical signal emitted along the different LOS
Implementation Method 2
for each different LOS, determining, using data derived from a pair of optical signals emitted and reflected, an optical velocity projection, of the vehicle, along the different LOS with respect to the atmosphere about the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided for a simplified system to verify proper operation of an Air-data system. The simplified system includes the Air-data system and at least one LiDAR system each of which is on or in a vehicle. Each LiDAR system emits and receives optical signals along a different line of sight. Data from each LiDAR system and the Air-data system are used to verify proper operation of the Air-data system. If operation is not verified, then an alert is transmitted indicating a potential fault in the Air-data system.