Air data probes

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9341533-B2
Application number	US-201414183665-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 19, 2014
Priority date	Mar 5, 2013
Publication date	May 17, 2016
Grant date	May 17, 2016

Abstract

An air data probe includes a probe head defining a longitudinal axis with a forward tip, and a turbulence inducing surface defined in the probe head aft of the forward tip. The turbulence inducing surface is configured and adapted to trip a fluid boundary layer passing over the probe head to transition from laminar to turbulent to control or reduce boundary layer separation resulting in consistent readings at high altitudes.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An air data probe comprising:
a probe head, the probe head defining a longitudinal axis with a forward tip;
a turbulence inducing surface defined in the probe head aft of the forward tip, wherein the turbulence inducing surface 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
a first static port proximate the forward tip and a second static port aft the first static port, wherein the turbulence inducing surface is defined therebetween, and wherein the turbulence inducing surface is a single annular depression around the probe head.

2. The air data probe as recited in claim 1 , wherein the turbulence inducing surface is defined proximate the forward tip.

3. The air data probe as recited in claim 1 , wherein the turbulence inducing surface is configured and adapted to trip a fluid boundary layer at low Reynolds numbers on the order of 10 5 .

4. The air data probe as recited in claim 1 , wherein the turbulence inducing surface is configured and adapted to trip a fluid boundary layer at a speed of approximately Mach 0.9.

5. The air data probe as recited in claim 1 , wherein the turbulence inducing surface is configured and adapted to trip a fluid boundary layer at an angle of attack.

6. An air data probe comprising:
a probe head, the probe head defining a longitudinal axis with a forward tip; and
a serrated surface defined in the probe head aft of the forward tip, wherein the serrated surface includes at least one of peaks, raised features, and valleys, wherein the serrated surface includes serration cuts at opposing angles, wherein the serration cuts have a generally constant geometry, and wherein the serrated surface 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.

7. The air data probe as recited in claim 6 , wherein the serrated surface is arranged in a strip defined along a surface of the probe head in an axial direction.

8. The air data probe as recited in claim 6 , wherein the serrated surface is arranged in opposing strips each defined along a surface of the probe head in an axial direction.

9. The air data probe as recited in claim 6 , further comprising a first static port aft the forward tip and a second static port aft the first static port, wherein the serrated surface is arranged in a strip defined along a surface of the probe head in an axial direction 90 degrees from the static ports.

10. The air data probe as recited in claim 6 , further comprising a first static port aft the forward tip and a second static port aft the first static port, wherein the serrated surface extends from proximate the forward tip to proximate the second static port.

11. The air data probe as recited in claim 6 , wherein the serrated surface is configured and adapted to trip a fluid boundary layer at low Reynolds numbers on the order of 10 5 .

12. The air data probe as recited in claim 6 , wherein the serrated surface is configured and adapted to trip a fluid boundary layer at a speed of approximately Mach 0.9.

13. The air data probe as recited in claim 6 , wherein the serrated surface is configured and adapted to trip a fluid boundary layer at an angle of attack.

14. The air data probe as recited in claim 6 , wherein the serrated surface is arranged circumferentially around the probe head.

15. The air data probe as recited in claim 1 , wherein the annular depression is defined in a lateral plane, wherein the lateral plane is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

16. The air data probe as recited in claim 1 , wherein the annular depression has a generally constant geometry around the probe head.

Assignees

• Rosemount Aerospace Inc

Inventors

• Doolittle Charles Jae
• Matheis Brian Daniel
• Foster Roger Duane

Classifications

• G01L15/00 Primary

  Devices or apparatus for measuring two or more fluid pressure values simultaneously · CPC title

• G01P5/165 Primary

  Arrangements or constructions of Pitot tubes · CPC title