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:
An ultrasonic air data system (100) can include a pole (103) having a length (103) longer than a boundary layer thickness (105) of a boundary layer flow (107) such that at least a distal end of the pole is configured to extend outwardly from an aircraft surface to be at least partially outside of the boundary layer flow. The system can include a transmitter (111) disposed on or in the pole at or near the distal end of the pole such that the transmitter is located at least partially outside of the boundary layer flow when in use, wherein the transmitter is configured to output a transmitter signal. The system can include one or more receivers (115) disposed downstream of the pole as defined by the boundary layer flow and configured to receive the transmitter signal.
Abstract:
An aircraft freestream data system can include a first ultrasonic air data system (UADS) (101) configured to sense local acoustic properties at a first location on an aircraft, a first local air data module (103) operatively connected to the first UADS and configured to determine first local air data of the first location and to output first local air data, and a freestream data module (105) operatively connected to the first local air data module. The freestream data module can be configured to receive the first local air data from the local air data module, determine one or more freestream air data parameters based on at least the first local air data, and output the one or more freestream air data parameters to one or more aircraft consuming systems.
Abstract:
Apparatus and associated methods relate to determining, based on a spatial extent of ice accretion, whether an atmosphere contains super-cooled water droplets that equal and/or exceed a predetermined size. A convex-shaped housing is mounted to an aircraft and exposed to an airstream. The convex-shaped housing has a testing region that is monitored for ice accretion by an ice detector. A boundary locator determines a specific location to be tested within the testing region. The determined specific location corresponds to a calculated boundary that separates an ice-accretion region from an ice-free region if the atmosphere contains super-cooled water droplets up to the predetermined size. If the ice detector detects ice accretion at the determined specific location, an alert is generated. The alert can advantageously inform a pilot of an atmosphere containing super-cooled water droplets that equal or exceed the predetermined size.
Abstract:
An air data probe includes a probe head (102;202;302;402;602) and a raised portion (106;206;306;406;606). The probe head defines a longitudinal axis (A) and includes a forward tip (104;204;304;404;604) and a probe head surface (107;207;307;407;607). The raised portion is defined in the probe head surface aft of the forward tip. The raised portion is raised radially relative to the probe head surface. The raised portion is configured and adapted to trip a fluid boundary layer passing over the probe head to transition from laminar to turbulent for reducing boundary layer separation for consistent readings at high altitudes and/or high mach numbers. A method of manufacturing an air data probe includes forming a probe head and applying a raised portion to a surface of the probe head aft of the forward tip. Applying the raised portion to the surface of the probe head includes using brazing, additive manufacturing, adhesives and/or any other suitable technique.
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 aircraft freestream data system can include a first ultrasonic air data system (UADS) (101) configured to sense local acoustic properties at a first location on an aircraft, a first local air data module (103) operatively connected to the first UADS and configured to determine first local air data of the first location and to output first local air data, and a freestream data module (105) operatively connected to the first local air data module. The freestream data module can be configured to receive the first local air data from the local air data module, determine one or more freestream air data parameters based on at least the first local air data, and output the one or more freestream air data parameters to one or more aircraft consuming systems.
Abstract:
An acoustic air data sensing system includes an acoustic transmitter, a plurality of acoustic receivers, and a skin friction sensor. The acoustic transmitter is located to transmit an acoustic signal into airflow about an exterior of a vehicle. Each of the acoustic receivers is located at a respective angle from a wind angle reference line and a respective distance from the acoustic transmitter. The skin fiction sensor is positioned in a boundary layer region of the airflow that interacts with the acoustic receivers and transmitter. Based on time of flight values of the acoustic signal from the transmitter to each of the receivers and a skin friction measurement from the skin friction sensor as inputs to a transformation matrix, the acoustic air data sensing system outputs, from the transformation matrix, the true airspeed, the relative wind angle, and the speed of sound for operational control of the vehicle.
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.