Sloped Faceplate Angle of Attack Sensor for Ice Shedding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing angle of attack sensors face accuracy degradation due to icing conditions, which are exacerbated by the power consumption required for heating elements to prevent ice accumulation on rotatable vanes, leading to inefficiencies in electrical power usage.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a faceplate with a sloped profile, such as frustoconical, that directs ice and water away from the vane assembly, combined with a direct thermal conduction path to the rotational position sensor, minimizing power usage and maintaining sensor accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heating elements are used to prevent ice accumulation on the vane and faceplate, then reliability is improved, but use of energy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of ice accumulation into a beneficial thermal conduction path. By allowing ice to form on the sloped faceplate, the ice acts as a thermal conductor that efficiently transfers heat from the heating element to the vane, preventing ice accumulation on critical surfaces while reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a sloped faceplate geometry that directs ice and water away from the vane assembly. The curved or angled surface profile enables ice to slide off naturally, reducing the need for continuous heating and thereby lowering electrical power requirements while maintaining measurement reliability.
2Measurement precision
If heating elements are used to prevent ice accumulation, then measurement precision is preserved, but use of energy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts ice accumulation from a harmful factor that degrades measurements into a beneficial thermal conduction medium. The ice on the sloped faceplate efficiently conducts heat to the vane, ensuring the vane remains ice-free and measurements remain accurate while reducing the power needed for heating elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the ice itself to serve the anti-icing function. The ice on the faceplate automatically conducts heat to the vane, creating a self-regulating thermal management system that maintains measurement precision without requiring continuous high-power heating.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a sloped faceplate is used to shed ice and water, then use of energy is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the slope angle parameters of the faceplate to achieve effective ice shedding at acceptable manufacturing tolerances. By carefully selecting the slope angle within a specific range, the design balances ice shedding effectiveness with manufacturability, reducing the need for extremely tight tolerance control.
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 effectively prevents ice accumulation while reducing power consumption, ensuring accurate angle of attack measurements by shedding ice and water efficiently and optimizing heat distribution.
Implementation Method 1
The exterior surface of the faceplate has a sloped profile from the periphery to the central opening
Implementation Method 2
combined with a direct thermal conduction path to the rotational position sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An angle of attack sensor includes a housing having an open end and a closed end, a faceplate positioned on the open end of the housing, the faceplate comprising a periphery at an outer edge of the faceplate, a central opening, and an exterior surface extending from the periphery to the central opening, and a vane assembly extending through the central opening of the faceplate. The exterior surface of the faceplate has a sloped profile from the periphery to the central opening.