Multiplexed Aircraft Ice Detection Reducing Wiring Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice detection systems on aircraft surfaces require a large number of wires for temperature sensors, leading to increased weight, complexity, and potential failure points, which compromises mechanical reliability.
Innovation Solution
A multiplexed ice detection system that uses a single signal conducting bus to transmit signals from multiple temperature sensitive elements to a control unit, reducing the number of wires needed and incorporating a multiplexer and power supply, such as a step-down voltage regulator, to simplify the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional temperature sensors with separate wires for each sensor element are used, then temperature measurement capability is provided, but the number of wires increases significantly, adding weight and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate wire connections for individual temperature sensors are merged into a single shared communication bus. The patent implements a digital communication architecture where multiple sensor elements share common data and power lines, eliminating the need for separate dedicated wires for each sensor and reducing overall wiring complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication bus serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides power delivery to remote sensors, carries bidirectional digital communication signals, and enables configuration and diagnostics. This multi-functional approach replaces the conventional single-purpose analog signal wires with a universal digital interface.
2Reliability
If more temperature sensors are deployed to improve detection coverage, then ice formation detection capability is enhanced, but the number of wires increases threefold for each additional sensor
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensor connections are combined onto a single communication bus infrastructure. Instead of requiring three separate wires per sensor (power, data, ground), the patent uses a shared digital bus where multiple sensors communicate over common lines, dramatically reducing the total wire count and associated weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a distributed point-to-point wiring topology to a centralized bus topology. By organizing sensors in a networked architecture along a single communication backbone, the system reduces spatial complexity and wire length requirements while maintaining comprehensive monitoring coverage.
3Loss of information
If a large number of wires are used to connect sensors to the control unit, then signal transmission is enabled, but mechanical reliability decreases due to increased potential failure points
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple independent wire connections are merged into a single robust communication bus. This consolidation reduces the total number of connection points and potential failure locations while maintaining full signal transmission capability through digital communication protocols that can detect and correct errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital communication bus implements bidirectional feedback mechanisms where sensors can report status, configuration, and diagnostic information to the control unit. This feedback capability enhances system reliability by enabling real-time monitoring of wire integrity and sensor health, allowing for proactive fault detection and system reconfiguration.
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 significantly reduces wiring, enhancing mechanical reliability and simplifying signal processing, allowing for efficient detection of ice formation and activation of de-icing or alarm systems with fewer components and potential failure points.
Implementation Method 1
temperature sensitive elements configured to be arranged at respective points on the aircraft surface
Implementation Method 2
a multiplexer arranged to multiplex the signals from the plurality of temperature sensitive elements into a single signal for transmission on the signal conducting bus
Implementation Method 3
the means for providing power to the sensor assembly provides power to the multiplexer via a step down voltage regulator e.g. a Zener voltage regulator, a linear voltage regulator, a power switching voltage regulator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2
AI summary
An ice detection system for an aircraft surface, comprising a sensor assembly (10) comprising a plurality of temperature sensitive elements configured to be arranged at respective points on the aircraft surface, a control unit (20) arranged to receive signals indicative of a temperature sensed by each of the temperature sensitive elements, a signal conducting bus (50) to transmit the signals from the temperature sensitive elements to the control unit, and means for providing power to the sensor assembly, wherein the sensor assembly further comprises a multiplexer (40) arranged to multiplex the signals from the plurality of temperature sensitive elements into a single signal for transmission on the signal conducting bus to the control unit.