Aircraft Pitot Probe Dual Heating Wire Power Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Pitot probes require high maximum electrical power for heating to prevent water accumulation and maintain accurate total pressure measurements, especially in icing conditions, leading to excessive energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The probe features two separate heating wires with independent power distribution based on the temperature of each part, allowing for optimized heating by prioritizing power allocation to areas that need it most, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a single heating resistance is used to heat the entire probe, then the probe can be heated uniformly, but the maximum electrical power consumption is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The heating resistance is divided into two independent segments: a first heating resistance for heating the first part of the probe and a second heating resistance for heating the second part of the probe. This segmentation allows independent control of power distribution to different probe sections, enabling reduced maximum power consumption while maintaining necessary temperature levels in each segment based on local requirements.
2Reliability
If heating power is increased to prevent water accumulation in all conditions, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but energy consumption increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
Different heating strategies are applied to different parts of the probe based on their specific operational conditions. The first part of the probe receives heating power according to its temperature requirements and environmental conditions, while the second part receives appropriate heating independently. This local quality approach ensures each section maintains sufficient temperature for accurate measurements without requiring the entire probe to be heated to maximum power levels.
3Device complexity
If a single heating wire is used for the entire probe, then the structure is simple, but the power distribution cannot be optimized for different probe parts
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into two independent heating wires or resistance elements, each可控 independently. This segmentation increases structural complexity slightly but enables optimized power distribution where each heating element can be controlled separately based on the specific thermal requirements and environmental conditions of its respective probe section, significantly improving power distribution efficiency.
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 approach reduces the maximum power necessary for heating, ensuring accurate total pressure measurements while minimizing energy usage, even in challenging conditions like icing, by efficiently managing power distribution between the Pitot tube and mast.
Implementation Method 1
The heating of the probe is commonly carried out by means of a heating resistance made in the form of a wire wound in the body of the probe
Implementation Method 2
The stream of air located upstream of the tube is gradually slowed down until it reaches almost zero speed at the tube inlet. Slowing the air speed increases the air pressure. This increased pressure forms the total pressure Pt of the airflow
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6
AI summary
The probe (10) has a pitot tube (14), and two separate heating wires (31, 32) heated separately, where one heating wire is intended to heat the pitot tube, and the other heating wire is intended to heat a mast (15). A distributing unit (35) distributes a given maximum power to each one of the two heating wires as a function of the current temperature of each of the pitot tube and the mast. A fixing unit includes a base (23) and a screw (25) for fixing the probe to the skin of an aircraft, where the mast connects the pitot tube to the fixing unit. An independent claim is also included for a method for using a probe for measuring the total pressure of an airflow.