Conductive Pressure Measuring Rake for Electrostatic Charge Drain

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressure measuring instruments in aircraft engines, particularly turbojets, accumulate electrostatic charges due to airflow friction, leading to disruptive electrical discharges that interfere with measurements and communications.

Innovation Solution

An antistatic pressure measuring rake with a conductive layer and conductive blade that dissipates electrostatic charges by connecting to a conductive element, preventing charge accumulation and discharges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If measuring instruments are made of insulating materials to prevent moisture infiltration, then protection against moisture damage is improved, but electrostatic charge dissipation is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against moisture damageVSAvoidelectrostatic charge accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring instrument is divided into two distinct parts: an insulating housing (protective shell) and a conductive internal structure (sensors and measurement components). This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the housing protects against moisture while the internal conductive structure dissipates electrostatic charges, resolving the contradiction between protection and charge dissipation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A conductive element acts as an intermediary between the insulating housing and ground. This intermediary provides a dedicated path for electrostatic charge dissipation while maintaining the integrity of the insulating housing structure, allowing both moisture protection and charge dissipation to coexist.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If measuring instruments are positioned in airflow areas for measurement, then measurement capability is improved, but electrostatic charge generation through friction is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure measurement capabilityVSAvoidelectrostatic charge generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of airflow friction (which generates electrostatic charges) into a beneficial outcome by providing a conductive path that directs these charges to ground. The same airflow that causes charge generation now serves to validate the effectiveness of the conductive dissipation path, as the instrument remains positioned in the measurement area while charges are continuously drained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive element serves as an intermediary that intercepts electrostatic charges generated by airflow friction before they can accumulate on the insulating housing. This intermediary captures the harmful charges and redirects them to ground, allowing the instrument to remain in the airflow path for accurate measurements without suffering from charge accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If conductive materials are used to dissipate electrostatic charges, then electrostatic discharge prevention is improved, but moisture infiltration protection is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrostatic discharge preventionVSAvoidprotection against moisture infiltration
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument structure is segmented into an outer insulating housing that protects against moisture infiltration and an inner conductive framework that dissipates electrostatic charges. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different protective functions to different material layers, allowing both moisture protection and electrostatic discharge prevention to function simultaneously without compromise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 antistatic pressure measuring rake effectively prevents electrostatic discharges, ensuring accurate measurements and reliable data communication by continuously draining electrostatic charges.

Implementation Method 1

said conductive layer being intended to be electrically connected to at least one conductive element configured to drain charges that may accumulate on the conductive layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

These measuring instruments are positioned in areas of airflow and are therefore subject to friction that can generate electrostatic charges

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTriboelectric effect: Triboelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4417954B1Anti-static pressure measuring rake
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)
  • EP4417954B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4417954B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4417954B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

- The pressure measuring rake (1), intended to be mounted on a connecting rod (12), comprises at least: a sleeve (17) comprising two lateral walls (18A, 18B) defining, between them, a housing (19) for receiving the connecting rod (12) and an electronic circuit (25) mounted on the sleeve (17) and comprising at least one sensor (29), said pressure measuring rake (1) further comprising at least one conductive layer (37) covering, at least partially, the sleeve (17) and a conductive blade, said conductive layer (37) and said conductive blade being intended to be electrically connected to at least one conductive element configured to drain charges that may accumulate on the conductive layer (37), said pressure measuring rake (1) preventing the accumulation of electrostatic charges that may interfere with measurements taken by the sensors (29) and/or electrical communication between the sensors (29) and a data processing unit.