Aircraft Probe Blockage Detection Using Pressure Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft air data probes are susceptible to blockage conditions due to icing, moisture, volcanic ash, sand/dirt, and insect nesting, leading to erroneous or lost data readings, which can impact downstream systems.
Innovation Solution
A blockage detection system within an air data computer uses a blockage detection algorithm to convert static and impact pressures into a correlating variable, evaluating it against thresholds to detect and indicate probe blockages, and optionally uses external probes to confirm blockage clearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional probe measurement systems are used without blockage detection, then the system structure remains simple, but the reliability of air data readings deteriorates due to undetected blockages from icing, moisture, volcanic ash, sand/dirt, and insect nesting
Solution Approach 1:
The probe blockage detection system uses the probe's own measurements (static pressure and impact pressure) to detect blockages, eliminating the need for separate external sensors or additional hardware. The system self-diagnoses by analyzing its own operational data against predetermined thresholds, achieving reliable blockage detection without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects blockages by monitoring changes in the relationship between static pressure and impact pressure measurements. When the correlating variable derived from these parameters exceeds predetermined thresholds, a blockage is indicated. This parameter-based detection approach maintains system simplicity while improving reliability
2Measurement precision
If additional external sensors or hardware are added to detect blockages, then the detection accuracy improves, but the weight and cost of the aircraft system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves accurate blockage detection by independently analyzing data from the probe itself without requiring external sensors or additional hardware attachments to the aircraft. This self-sufficient approach maintains measurement precision while avoiding any increase in aircraft weight
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the blockage detection functionality from the existing probe measurements by deriving a correlating variable from static and impact pressure data. This extraction method achieves accurate detection without adding physical detection hardware, thereby avoiding weight penalties
3Measurement precision
If additional external sensors or hardware are added to detect blockages, then the detection accuracy improves, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The probe blockage detection system utilizes the probe's existing measurement capabilities to detect blockages, eliminating the need for additional sensors, processors, or hardware components. This approach maintains high detection accuracy while minimizing manufacturing costs by avoiding extra bill of materials items and assembly steps
Solution Approach 2:
The system makes the existing probe serve multiple functions: both measurement and self-diagnosis. By programming the air data computer to analyze the correlating variable from static and impact pressure data, the probe becomes universally functional for both data collection and blockage detection, reducing overall system cost
4Reliability
If complex blockage detection algorithms are implemented, then the detection reliability improves, but the processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms multiple pressure measurements into a single correlating variable that can be directly compared against predetermined thresholds. This parameter transformation simplifies the detection logic to a straightforward threshold comparison, achieving reliable blockage detection with minimal computational overhead and rapid processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The algorithm performs a focused analysis on the specific correlating variable relationship between static and impact pressure rather than comprehensive analysis of all possible probe parameters. This partial action approach achieves sufficient detection reliability for blockage conditions without the computational burden of exhaustive analysis
Data Source
AI summary
A blockage detection system for detecting aircraft probe blockages includes a processor, a communication device, and computer-readable memory. The computer-readable memory encoded with instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to execute a blockage detection algorithm. The processor receives a static pressure and an impact pressure from one or more aircraft probes. The processor converts the static pressure and the impact pressure to a correlating variable, via the blockage detection algorithm. The processor evaluates the correlating variable, via the blockage detection algorithm, to determine if a value of the correlating variable exceeds a threshold indicative of a blockage. The processor outputs a blockage indicator, to a receiving system in response to the correlating variable exceeding the first threshold indicative of a blockage. The processor is further able to determine if the blockage has cleared by reference to an external comparative pressure measurement.