Pitot Probe Heater Control Using Infrared Temperature Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft pressure measurement systems face issues with ice formation on Pitot static probes, leading to incorrect pressure readings due to blocked openings, and existing solutions like heating elements lack efficient control and diagnostic capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A heater control system for aircraft pressure measurement systems that includes a heating element within the Pitot probe, an optics system for detecting infrared heat, and a controller to dynamically control the heating element based on environmental conditions, optimizing power consumption and diagnosing heating element health.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a heating element is embedded in the Pitot probe to prevent ice formation, then ice protection capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an optical sensor to detect the temperature of the Pitot probe by measuring infrared radiation, and feeds this temperature information back to the controller. The controller dynamically adjusts the heating element's power consumption based on the detected temperature, activating heating only when ice formation is detected or temperature drops below a threshold, thereby preventing ice formation while minimizing unnecessary power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating control system transitions from static continuous heating to dynamic conditional heating. The controller continuously monitors probe temperature via optical detection and dynamically adjusts the heating element's operation state (on/off or power level) based on real-time temperature conditions, making the system adaptive to changing environmental conditions and reducing overall power consumption.
2Reliability
If continuous heating is applied to prevent ice formation, then ice protection reliability is improved, but energy waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor provides continuous temperature feedback to the controller, enabling the system to distinguish between cold conditions requiring heating and cold conditions where heating is unnecessary. This feedback mechanism ensures heating is applied only when ice formation is detected or temperature is below the threshold, maintaining ice protection reliability while eliminating energy waste from continuous unnecessary heating.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous heating, the system employs periodic temperature monitoring through optical detection and applies heating only during periods when temperature thresholds are violated. This periodic control approach maintains reliable ice protection by activating heating only when needed, reducing energy waste during periods when the probe temperature is already sufficient.
3Measurement precision
If an embedded temperature sensor is used to control heating, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an optical sensor as an intermediary non-contact temperature detection device between the Pitot probe and the controller. This optical sensor measures infrared radiation from the probe surface to infer temperature, providing precise temperature measurement without requiring physical contact or embedding sensors within the probe structure, thereby avoiding the complexity of embedded sensor integration while maintaining measurement precision.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the heating element is always on, then ice formation prevention is ensured, but diagnostic capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor continuously monitors the Pitot probe temperature and provides feedback to the controller. By analyzing the temperature response when heating is applied, the system can diagnose heating element health status - a healthy element should produce the expected temperature increase, while a degraded element will show insufficient temperature rise. This diagnostic capability is enabled by the temperature feedback mechanism without requiring continuous heating operation.
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 effectively prevents ice formation, optimizes heating efficiency, and accurately identifies faulty heating elements, reducing unnecessary maintenance and improving data accuracy by dynamically controlling the heating element and providing diagnostic functions.
Implementation Method 1
A heating element is disposed within the probe and emits heat in response to a supplied electrical current
Implementation Method 2
A heater control system for an aircraft... an optics system for detecting infrared heat
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An aircraft (10) includes an air data sensor (12) and a heating element (102). The air data sensor (12) includes a probe (13) and transducer (15) coupled to the probe (13). The heating element (102) is disposed within the probe (13) and is configured to emit heat that heats the probe (13). The aircraft (10) further comprises a heater control system (100) in signal communication with the heating element (102) and a thermal sensor system (108). The thermal sensor system (108) is configured to determine the emitted heat from the heating element (102) based on the thermal radiation of heat released from a surface of the probe (13). Infrared emission from the probe (13) may be detected by a pyrometer (108) and converted into a digital temperature signal. In this manner, the heater control system (100) can actively vary the temperature of the heating element (102) based on the emitted heat from the heating element (102). The heater control system may also be adapted to perform a heater diagnostic test. During this test, the health of the heating element may be determined by monitoring the rate at which the heating element's temperature changes during a period starting when the heater is activated and ending when a target temperature is reached.