Abstract:
A short multiple static pressure sensing probe (10) that is compenstated for both subsonic and supersonic speeds in the same probe and a family of such probes for different aircraft with each of the probes in the family having a common barrel (14) configuration except for the final shaping of compensation surfaces (51, 52, 53, 54) and the location of static pressure sensing ports (23, 35). In an assembly operation, heaters (46) and interconnecting wires, bulkheads (19, 32, 33) and pressure tubing (18, 37) are arranged, internal to the probe, to be clear of predetermined areas in which static pressure ports may be located. In a finishing operation, compensation surfaces (51, 52, 53, 54) are produced and static pressure ports (23, 35) are created at selected locations in the predetermined areas, thus avoiding damage to internal parts. A preferred arrangement of compensation surfaces (51, 52, 53, 54) facilitates multiple subsonic and supersonic compensation by providing at least two regions of relatively constant, but selectable, supersonic compensation pressures that coincide along the length of the barrel (14) with two regions of variable subsonic pressures. The supersonic compensation in this preferred arrangement is adjusted to the desired levels by selecting two of the compensation surfaces (51, 52, 53, 54). The subsonic compensation is then adjusted by selecting a second two of the compensation surfaces (51, 52, 53, 54) and the location of the static pressure ports (23, 35).
Abstract:
A preassembled air data sensor probe and air data transducer assembly (10) has permanently connected flexible tubing (13, 14, 15, 16) coupling the air data transducer fittings and the sensor fittings (13A, 14A, 15A, 16A). The flexible tubing (13-16) permits the air data sensor (11) and air data transducer (20) to be installed into an air vehicle (18) after having been preassembled and pretested for leaks at the factory. The permanently connected assembly (10) avoids the need for calibration or pressure checks after installation on the aircraft (18). The preassembled flexible tubing (13-16) permits manipulation of the transducer (20) to mount it into its proper location even in tight quarters. The flexible tubing (13-16) can have a section that acts as a drain trap (41) for accumulating ingested water.
Abstract:
A water separating device (10, 460D) for a pressure measurement such as static, pitot measurement system provides a passageway (82, 420A, 436A, 460A) having a portion formed as a plurality of ports (41, 420B, 436B, 460E) therethrough such that liquid water, and solid water such as snow and ice from atmospheric air are substantially removed from the air so that desired parameters such as temperature or pressure can be measured. Separation of water, snow and ice using ports (41, 420B, 436B, 460E) as disclosed eliminates additional chambers for collecting same and eliminates drain systems and drain valves.
Abstract:
A deployable probe (10) has pressure ports (21A, 22A, 23A, 24A) positioned radially around a longitudinal probe axis. The probe (10) mounts within a pressure chamber (30) such that it can reciprocate from a retracted position where the pressure ports (21A, 22A, 23A, 24A) are contained within the pressure chamber (30) for measuring static pressure to a deployed position where air flows generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the probe (10) and into the pressure ports (21A, 22A, 23A, 24A) such that differential pressures in oppositely facing pressure ports can be sensed for measuring relative flow magnitude and flow angles.
Abstract:
A unitized drain manifold apparatus (10) for removing water from air in a conduit of an air data sensor system (9) for an aircraft (10) comprises a manifold (11) having a plurality of drain cavities (13) therein. Each drain cavity (13) has a center chamber portion (15) and two end drain chambers (23) positioned vertically above and below the center chamber portion (15) when the aircraft (10) is at rest. The end drain chambers (23) are used for accumulation of water which is separated from the air pressure signal. The cavities (13) are each equipped with two drain passageways (28) such that the accumulated water can be removed from the manifold (11) in normal or inverted positions. The positioning of the external drain passageways (28) permits water accumulation and removal to occur independently of the spatial orientation of the sensor (9) and manifold (11) and the symmetry of the manifold (11) permits it to be mounted on either side of the aircraft (10).
Abstract:
An angle of attack sensor (10) is provided with ports (20, 21, 22, 23) for sensing flow angles in desired planes based upon differential pressure at the ports (20, 21 or 22, 23) when a reference axis of the sensor (10) changes relative to the flow stream. Impact pressure (qcm) is also measured, and the angle of attack is calculated by subtracting the pressures at the angle sensitive ports (20, 21 or 22, 23), and dividing by the measured impact pressure (qcm). At higher angles of attack, the denominator qcm approaches and passes through zero. It has been discovered that if the angle of attack ratio is inverted at some point when the denominator qcm approaches zero, the useable range of indication of angle of attack can be greatly extended.
Abstract:
An air data sensor comprises a shaft probe (15) having a sharp edge orifice pitot port (24), and a tapered leading end (21) which blends into the main barrel portion (20) of the probe (15) a short distance downstream from the pitot port (24). Sets of sensing ports (31, 32, 33, 34) are utilized and at least one pair of ports (31, 32) or (33, 34) is oriented on a common axis and facing in opposite directions. By using the pressures sensed in more than one combination of ports, that is by co-using the pressure signals, static pressure, impact pressure, angle of attack and angle of sideslip can be derived. The ports (31, 32, 33, 34) are positioned on the tapered forward section (21), rearwardly of the pitot port (24) before the full size of the barrel (20) is reached, and are positioned very close to the leading end (24) for reliable readings at high angles of attack.
Abstract:
Sensing instrument (10) for sensing the angular position of the longitudinal axis (17) of a cyclindrical sensor body (14) of an object moving relative to a fluid medium with respect to a first plane. Such object has a leading end portion (15) joined to the sensor body (14) and exposed to the fluid medium. A first pair of pressure sensing ports (20 and 21) are on the object and face in the upstream direction and have their axes lying in a second plane at right angles to said first plane and disposed at predetermined angles with respect to the axis (17) of the object. A second pair of pressure sensing ports (22 and 23) on the object have their axes lying in the first plane, such axes being disposed at predetermined angles with respect to the axis (17) of the object. A single pressure port (16) on the object has an axis coinciding with the axis (17) of the object. The improvement comprises the leading end portion (15) of the sensor body (14) defining a spherical segment of one base.
Abstract:
A sensing instrument (24) is used for sensing atmospheric pressure and the output is connected in a method of operation to provide accurate measurement information. The instrument (24) comprises an enclosure (26) that has a shape exposed to a fluid medium, which fluid medium may be moving at a certain velocity relative to the sensing instrument. The sensing instrument has at least one port (28) open to the fluid medium for sensing the velocity of the medium and for measuring a pressure of the fluid medium. The measured pressure is corrected for the effects of the velocity of the medium according to the formula PATM=PM + K2 V where PATM is atmospheric pressure, PM is measured pressure in the enclosure means, K2 is a constant that is a function of the shape of the enclosure means, the shape of the port means and the density of the medium and V is the velocity of the medium.
Abstract:
Un tube statique multiple monté avec des entretoises permet d'obtenir, comme cela est illustré, des systèmes multiples séparés de mesure de pressions statiques et utilise une sonde (10) avec des ensembles séparés (23, 24 et 35, 36) d'orifices de détection de pression pour chaque système. La sonde (10) est conçue avec une configuration de surface qui établit des conditions de pression statique sensiblement identiques pour chaque ensemble d'orifices de détection (23, 24 et 35, 36), la longueur axiale de la partie cylindrique (14) de la sonde de détection (10) étant maintenue à un minimum et les effets de pression provenant des structures adjacentes telles que l'entretoise (13) étant compensées. La structure comprend une partie cylindrique (14) de la sonde (10) ayant une configuration d'ondes annulaires en surface (27, 28, 29, 30) avec des sections de diamètres différents qui provoquent des changements importants et uniformes de la pression le long de la sonde (10) pour établir des zones de niveaux de pression positives et négatives pour une compensation aérodynamique. Les positions des orifices (23, 24 et 35, 36) pour les systèmes séparés sont sélectionnées à partir d'un profil de pression de la sonde, de sorte que les orifices se trouvent dans des zones de pression désirées.