Aircraft Temperature Probe Fin Ice Particle Deflection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft temperature probes are prone to corrupted readings and reduced time response due to ice buildup, and they often require high power consumption and complex, costly manufacturing processes, especially when air is diverted at an angle to protect the sensor.

Innovation Solution

A temperature probe design featuring a fin positioned upstream of the sensor, which directs ice and water particles away from the sensor without diverting air, allowing it to operate directly in the airstream and eliminating the need for heating, thus reducing manufacturing costs and maintaining fast response times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If air is diverted at an angle using a scoop to protect the sensor from ice, then the sensor is protected from ice buildup, but air stagnation occurs and time response is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice protectionVSAvoidtime response

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of diverting air away from the sensor through a scoop, the patent inverts the approach by allowing air to flow directly over the sensor while using a heated coating on the probe exterior to prevent ice formation. This eliminates the air diversion path that caused stagnation while maintaining ice protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical air diversion system (scoop) with a thermal field solution (heated coating). The heating element creates a thermal barrier that prevents ice formation without mechanically altering airflow patterns, thus avoiding stagnation while protecting the sensor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a scoop is used to divert air and protect the sensor, then ice buildup is prevented, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice protectionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the ice protection function from the complex mechanical scoop structure and implements it through a simple heated coating applied to the probe exterior. This separates the protection function from the airflow management function, simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the protection mechanism from mechanical (scoop geometry) to thermal (heating power and temperature control). By controlling the thermal parameters of the coating, ice prevention is achieved without complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If air suction is used to draw air at an angle and separate ice particles, then ice particles are removed from the flow, but pressure reduction and airflow loss occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice particle removalVSAvoidairflow quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of ice particles in the airflow into a beneficial outcome by using a heated coating to melt or vaporize them before they can accumulate. The thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted is used to eliminate the harmful ice particles while maintaining full airflow.

Inventive Principle:

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

4Reliability

If a heater is used to prevent ice buildup, then ice protection is provided, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice protectionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial heating only to the exterior surface of the probe where ice forms, rather than heating the entire sensor assembly. The heated coating is applied only to the outer shell, providing ice protection with minimal power consumption by limiting the heated area to where it is most needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 design prevents ice buildup, maintains fast response times, and reduces manufacturing complexity and costs, enabling accurate temperature measurements in icing conditions without heaters, suitable for low-cost market segments like 'light jets' and 'uninhabited air vehicles'.

Implementation Method 1

the fin causes the ice particles to be directed away from the temperature sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInertial separation: Inertia

Data Source

PatentUS8100582B1Temperature probe

Publication Date: 2012.01.24 AEROSONIC LLC

AI summary

A temperature probe for measuring the temperature of an airstream containing ice particles includes a fin which is positioned upstream of a temperature sensor. The fin causes the ice particles to be directed away from the temperature sensor. Both the fin and the temperature sensor are disposed in an unsheltered location where they are directly exposed to the airstream.