Single Pitot Static Probe Sideslip Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft pitot-static systems require multiple air data probes for sideslip compensation, which can be cumbersome and prone to common mode faults, and do not efficiently determine aircraft angle of slip and attack.
Innovation Solution
A single pitot static system with an angle of slip module that uses total, static, and differential pressure values to determine local and aircraft angles of slip and attack, allowing for sideslip compensation without additional probes, and can correct airspeed and altitude values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple air data probes are used for sideslip compensation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple probe functions into a single air data probe by integrating total pressure, static pressure, and differential pressure sensing capabilities. The single probe includes a pitot tube with total pressure ports and static pressure ports arranged to provide both absolute static pressure and differential pressure measurements, eliminating the need for multiple separate probes while maintaining measurement precision for sideslip compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The single air data probe is designed to perform multiple functions: measuring total pressure, static pressure, and differential pressure simultaneously. The probe configuration allows it to determine angle of attack, angle of slip, airspeed, and altitude information from a single location, making it a universal sensing device that replaces multiple specialized probes.
2Reliability
If multiple air data probes are used for sideslip compensation, then reliability is improved through independence, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple pressure sensing functions into a single integrated probe system. The probe includes total pressure ports, static pressure ports, and differential pressure ports that work together to provide comprehensive air data. This consolidation reduces the number of components that can fail while maintaining the ability to detect faults through differential pressure measurements and cross-validation of parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from differential pressure measurements to continuously monitor and validate the consistency of angle of attack and angle of slip calculations. By comparing measurements from different pressure ports and validating against expected aerodynamic relationships, the system can detect faults and inconsistencies, improving reliability through self-diagnosis capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If conventional pneumatic or digital averaging methods are used for sideslip compensation, then ease of operation is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional pneumatic averaging methods with electronic signal processing. Instead of using pneumatic channels to physically average pressures from multiple probes, the system uses electronic sensors to measure pressures and computational algorithms to calculate angle of slip. This substitution maintains ease of operation through automated digital processing while significantly improving measurement precision through more accurate differential pressure measurements and advanced calculation methods.
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 solution simplifies probe placement, enhances fault detection, and reduces the risk of common mode faults by enabling sideslip compensation and air data parameter determination using a single probe, while maintaining compliance with redundancy regulations.
Implementation Method 1
a pitot tube having at least one total pressure port and at least two static pressure ports 180 degrees apart from each other to allow determination of differential pressure value
Implementation Method 2
The AOS module can be configured to determine the LAOS at each location based on a comparison of total pressure to static pressure ratio (Pt/Ps) against LAOA at a given speed, altitude, and temperature
Data Source
AI summary
An air data probe system can include a pitot static system configured to sense at least one total pressure value of a flow at one or more locations, at least one static pressure value of the flow at the one or more locations, and, directly or indirectly, at least one differential static pressure value of the flow at the one or more locations. The system can include an angle of slip (AOS) module configured to determine a local angle of slip (LAOS) value at each location based on the at least one total pressure value at each location, the at least one static pressure value at each location, and the at least one differential static pressure value at each location.