Abstract:
An angle of attack sensor includes a mounting plate (68); a vane (12) supported from the mounting plate and extending from a first side of the mounting plate, wherein the vane is rotatable about a vane axis; a housing (36) extending from a second side of the mounting plate in a direction opposite to the vane; a resolver (64) coupled to the vane; and an electronics module (72) mounted within the housing, the electronics module comprising: at least one processor (88); a communication device (92); and computer-readable memory (90), encoded with instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronics module to: receive, from the resolver, a signal indicative of an angular position of the vane about the vane axis; compare the signal to a first damage criterion; and output, using the communication device, a first fault signal to a consuming system of an aircraft that is indicative of a damage event based on a comparison of the signal to the first damage criterion..
Abstract:
Apparatus and associated methods relate to detecting turbulence of an airstream over an airfoil surface of an aircraft (10) using a sequence of acoustic transducers (14A-D) attached to the airfoil surface (18) of the aircraft along a path. Each of the sequence of acoustic transducers is configured to detect acoustic waves indicative of airstream condition proximate the acoustic transducer. A processor (16) is configured to determine, for each of the sequence of acoustic transducers, a level of turbulence of the airstream proximate the acoustic transducer.
Abstract:
The method according to the invention includes receiving, over an aircraft data communications bus, a plurality of non-pneumatic inputs corresponding to aircraft operational parameters. The method further includes processing the plurality of non-pneumatic inputs through an artificial intelligence network to generate an air data output value, and outputting the air data output value to a consuming system for use when a pneumatic-based air data output value is determined to be unreliable.
Abstract:
An air data probe (46) has a pitot tube with a tap (47) at a forward end (48) that defines an inner flow path. The inner flow path decreases in the cross-sectional area until reaching a throat (50). Bleed holes (52) or slots are provided to eliminate air recirculation and boundary layer separation. The outer surface of the tube may comprise a relatively flat portion and a bulged portion, or a long-nosed portion of smaller diameter and an enlarged portion.
Abstract:
An air data probe (46) has a pitot tube with a tap (47) at a forward end (48) that defines an inner flow path. The inner flow path decreases in the cross-sectional area until reaching a throat (50). Bleed holes (52) or slots are provided to eliminate air recirculation and boundary layer separation. The outer surface of the tube may comprise a relatively flat portion and a bulged portion, or a long-nosed portion of smaller diameter and an enlarged portion.
Abstract:
An angle of attack sensor includes a rotatable vane (12) away and support from a mounting plate (68), a housing (36) extending way from an opposite side of the mounting plate, and a sensor (10) coupled to the vane. The angle of attack sensor communicates with an electronics module enclosed within the housing or mounted remotely with respect to the angle of attack sensor. The electronics module (72) includes a processor (88), computer-readable memory (90), and a communication device (92). The computer-readable memory is encoded with instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the electronics module to perform steps of a damage detection method.
Abstract:
An optical ice detector and airspeed probe includes an ice detection module (40) and an airspeed module (42). The ice detection module detects the presence or absence of ice, water, or ice and water particles, and the airspeed module determines a line-of-sight speed along a directional vector, each based on backscatter light returns emitted from a common collimated light source. An electronics module (78) determines an airspeed of an aircraft based on the line-of-sight speed determined by the airspeed module and at least one aircraft parameter received from the air data system.
Abstract:
Apparatus and associated methods relate to determining altitude of an aircraft during flight based on properties of vortex shedding. A vortex-shedding projection (14) is projected into the airstream adjacent to the exterior surface of the aircraft so as to cause vortex-shedding turbulence (36) of the airstream. One or more downstream sound-pressure detectors (16A - 16G), which are attached to the exterior surface of the aircraft downstream from the vortex-shedding projection, detect(s) a vortex-shedding frequency f of the vortex-shedding turbulence caused by the vortex-shedding projection. A processor (18) determines the altitude of the aircraft based, at least in part, on the vortex-shedding frequency f of the vortex-shedding turbulence as detected by the one or more downstream sound-pressure detectors.
Abstract:
An air data probe includes a body (11), a mount adjacent to the body (11), a primary low ice adhesion surface coating (32) on a primary impact region (28) of the air data probe, the primary impact region (28) being positioned for direct impact with water drops, and a secondary low ice adhesion surface coating (34) on a secondary impact region (30) of the air data probe, the secondary impact region (30) being positioned for indirect contact by water drops. The primary low ice adhesion surface coating (32) has a different composition than the secondary low ice adhesion surface coating (34).
Abstract:
An air data probe (10) includes a probe body (18) and an air data sensing port (20) disposed in the probe body (18). The probe body (18) includes a barrel region, a tapered head region extending forward from the barrel region, and a tip at a forward-most end of the tapered head region. The air data sensing port (20) is disposed in the probe body (18) at a port location aft of the tip. The probe body (18) has a turbulence-producing geometry originating at the tip that produces a turbulent boundary layer of airflow that extends from the tip to the port location.