Strain Gauge Temperature Correction for Hypersonic Flight

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional strain gauges fail to accurately correct for high temperatures during hypersonic flight, leading to inaccurate data and requiring post-test analysis, which does not allow for real-time adjustments or self-learning corrections.

Innovation Solution

A method that collects strain gauge and temperature data, identifies relevant values, compares them to expected values to determine correction factors, and establishes a correction value-temperature relationship for real-time correction of strain gauge measurements, enabling accurate data analysis and potential self-learning adjustments during operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If strain gauges are used to measure in-flight performance during hypersonic flight, then real-time data collection is enabled, but measurement precision deteriorates due to high temperature effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrain gauge measurement accuracyVSAvoidhigh temperature during hypersonic flight

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where strain gauge measurements are continuously corrected based on temperature data from thermocouples. The correction factors are calculated in real-time and applied to compensate for temperature-induced measurement errors, enabling accurate strain measurements during hypersonic flight despite extreme thermal conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the strain gauge system by introducing temperature-dependent correction factors. These correction factors are derived from calibration data collected across a range of temperatures and are applied dynamically to adjust the strain gauge output, effectively compensating for temperature effects without changing the physical strain gauge itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If conventional strain gauge methods are used, then simple measurement is achieved, but loss of information occurs due to inability to perform real-time correction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accuracy during high temperature operationVSAvoidmeasurement and correction system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces thermocouples as intermediary devices that measure temperature and provide correction data to the strain gauge system. These thermocouples act as mediators between the thermal environment and the strain gauge measurements, enabling temperature compensation without directly modifying the strain gauge itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary calibration of strain gauges across a range of temperatures before flight operations. This preliminary action establishes correction factor relationships that are stored and applied during actual flight, allowing real-time correction without requiring complex real-time calibration procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of time

If post-test analysis is used instead of real-time correction, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time occurs due to delayed data analysis and inability to make real-time adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime delay in data analysis and correctionVSAvoidreal-time correction system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous real-time correction of strain gauge data during flight operations. The correction process operates continuously alongside data collection, eliminating the discontinuous nature of post-test analysis and ensuring that accurate measurements are available immediately for decision-making and flight adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS11686633B1Methods for strain gauge temperature correction

Publication Date: 2023.06.27 LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP

AI summary

A method includes identifying a plurality of measured strain gauge values of interest from a plurality of measured strain gauge values. The plurality of measured strain gauge values of interest corresponds to a plurality of temperature values of interest. The method further includes comparing the plurality of measured strain gauge values of interest to a plurality of expected strain gauge values of interest to determine a plurality of strain gauge correction values. The plurality of strain gauge correction values corresponds to the plurality of temperature values of interest. The method further includes correlating the plurality of strain gauge correction values to the plurality of temperature values of interest to determine a correction value-temperature relationship. The method also includes determining a corrected real-time strain gauge value by applying the correction value-temperature relationship to a real-time strain gauge value and a corresponding real-time temperature.