Rotor Blade Pressure Sensing for Damage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for detecting damage to aircraft or helicopter rotor blades, such as those from bullets or shelling, are prone to errors due to exposure to harsh environmental conditions and reliance on compressor and valve functionality, which can lead to false readings.
Innovation Solution
A circulation control system integrated within the rotor blade's passageway that uses autonomous pressure-sensing means to detect changes in pressure conditions, allowing for real-time monitoring and signaling of damage without reliance on external components like compressors or valves, utilizing electric sensors or air mass sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressure transducers are used to sense medium pressure in rotor blade ducts, then damage detection capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to false readings from compressor and valve malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the pressure sensing function from the external compressor-supplied system and places autonomous pressure-sensing means directly inside the rotor blade passageways. This eliminates dependence on compressor and valve functionality, removing the source of false readings and improving both reliability and measurement precision of damage detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure-sensing means are self-contained within each rotor blade, using the blade's own internal pressure conditions for sensing without requiring external compression systems. Each blade independently monitors its own pressure state, making the system self-sufficient and immune to external component failures.
2Reliability
If compressor and valves are used to supply pressurized air for damage detection, then circulation control is achieved, but device complexity increases due to additional external components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the compressor and valves from the damage detection system, retaining only the essential pressure sensing and signaling functions. By eliminating these complex external components, the system achieves circulation control through simpler means while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor blade's internal pressure system serves itself for damage detection without requiring external compression equipment. The autonomous pressure-sensing means utilize the natural pressure conditions within the blade structure, making the system self-sufficient and significantly simpler.
3Reliability
If sensors are exposed to harsh environmental conditions in rotor blade ducts, then real-time damage detection is enabled, but sensor durability deteriorates due to damage from particles and contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure-sensing means are nested deep within the rotor blade's internal passageways, surrounded by the blade's structural material. This nesting provides natural protection from external particles and contaminants while maintaining the ability to sense pressure changes that indicate damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing system utilizes the rotor blade's own structural shell as protection. The blade's skin and internal structure act as a protective barrier, shielding the pressure-sensing means from environmental harshness while allowing pressure transmission for detection.
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
Enables immediate detection and notification of damage to rotor blades or hulls, enabling pilots to take corrective action and prevent crashes by providing accurate and independent pressure monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
means sensing medium pressure in said at least one medium passageway inside each profile
Data Source
Figure 1~6
AI summary
The invention is related to a profile (1,10,20), particularly to a profile for an airfoil of an aircraft and more particularly to a profile for a rotor blade of a helicopter, with a circulation control system (13) having at least one passageway (4,15) for a pressure responsive medium inside said profile, wherein said circulation control system includes means (5) sensing medium pressure in said at least one medium passageway inside each profile, means (6) comparing the sensed medium pressure and signal means in response to the comparing means. The inventive profile allows monitoring of damages to the profile.