Aerodynamic Probe Chicanes for Liquid Evacuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aerodynamic measurement probes with rotating pins that operate frictionlessly face challenges in preventing liquid penetration, leading to corrosion and premature wear, especially under harsh conditions like pressurized liquid sprays, as existing sealing solutions are inadequate and generate torque resisting rotation.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a series of successive chicanes between the rotating shaft and support, utilizing gravity to evacuate liquid through a primary path while counteracting liquid flow through a secondary path, with capturing chambers and expansion cavities to effectively manage liquid transport and prevent return flows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sealed rolling bearings are used to prevent liquid penetration, then sealing performance is improved, but friction torque increases resisting rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidfriction torque

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the sealing function from the bearing system by introducing a separate wick-based capillary wick system that removes liquid without requiring contact seals. The wick material absorbs and transports liquid away from the bearing interface through capillary action, allowing the bearing to rotate freely without sealing friction while maintaining protection against liquid penetration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If frictionless bearings are used to allow free rotation, then rotation precision is improved, but liquid penetration increases causing corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation freedomVSAvoidliquid penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a wick material as an intermediary element between the liquid environment and the bearing system. The wick acts as a mediator that captures liquid through capillary action and transports it away from the bearing interface, protecting the frictionless bearing from liquid penetration and corrosion while maintaining rotation freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If mechanical protectors are used to prevent liquid penetration, then corrosion protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion protectionVSAvoidmechanical structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces complex mechanical sealing systems with a passive capillary wick system that utilizes surface tension and capillary action to prevent liquid penetration. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical protectors, seals, and moving seal components, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining effective corrosion protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If liquid evacuation capacity is increased to prevent accumulation, then corrosion resistance is improved, but liquid transport complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidliquid evacuation system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements a self-service liquid evacuation system where the wick material automatically absorbs and transports liquid away from the bearing through capillary action without requiring external power sources, pumps, or complex control mechanisms. The system uses the liquid's own surface tension properties to drive the evacuation process, maintaining simple structure while effectively preventing liquid accumulation and corrosion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 configuration significantly enhances the evacuation of penetrated liquid by gravity, reducing corrosion risks and maintaining precise rotation, even under pressurized conditions, by favoring the primary path for liquid flow and limiting secondary path transport to prevent liquid accumulation and return.

Implementation Method 1

The wick material is in contact with the pin in the region of the circular opening and is configured to transport liquid away from the pin by capillary action

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

along a first path, under the effect of gravity, towards an evacuation circuit associated with the chicane and formed in the support

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS9804187B2Aerodynamic measurement probe with evacuation of penetrated liquid by gravity

Publication Date: 2017.10.31 THALES SA

AI summary

An aerodynamic measurement probe intended to measure a local angle of attack of an airstream flowing along the fuselage of an aircraft, comprises a support and a shaft that is able to rotate about a longitudinal axis with respect to the support. The support and the shaft are configured to form between one another a plurality of successive chicanes about the longitudinal axis. Each chicane makes it possible to transport liquid that has penetrated into the chicane: along a first path, under the effect of gravity, towards an evacuation circuit associated with the chicane and formed in the support, and along a second path, and counter to the effect of gravity, towards a successive chicane or towards the shaft. The evacuation circuit of each of the chicanes makes it possible to evacuate liquid out of the support under the effect of gravity moving away from the shaft.