Thales Avionics S.a.

Thales

Philippe Roberge

Lionel Collot

Nicolas Hanson

Alain Subtil

Serge Fromentin

Bernard Christin

The present invention relates to pressure probes for measuring the aerodynamic flight parameters of an aircraft and more particularly those in which the orifices for measuring the static pressure and total pressure are located on a moving angle-of-attack or angle-of-sideslip measurement vane designed to be oriented in the direction of the wind. It consists of a pneumatic rotary joint employing flexible tubings rather than friction rotary joints between abutted parts of rigid tubings. Such a joint offers a much smaller resistance to the rotational movement of the moving vane, which consequently is oriented with greater accuracy in the direction of the wind.

Rotary joint for a moving-vane multifunction pressure probe

The invention relates to a device for ensuring safe movement of a moving part. The movement of the moving part is guided along or about an axis () and is limited by at least one stop (). The device comprises means for recording the exceeding of a nominal force by a force exerted on the stop () by the moving part along or about the axis (). The invention is particularly applicable to angle-of-attack sensors used in aeronautics.

Device for ensuring safe movement of a moving part

Weather vanes () are delicate instruments partially exposed to external conditions. They are used in particular in the aeronautical industry. The measurements provided by these weather vanes are crucial to the flying of an aircraft. A type of weather vane is proposed in which a vane can be changed. Changing the vane entails adjusting the orientation sensors (). To perform this adjustment, use is made of a factory setting rig () that allows the various parts of the weather vane to be placed in a characteristic position.

Vane for measuring wind orientation with integrated heater

A device for the in situ angular positioning of an incidence probe, e.g., of the weather vane type, equipped with a vane and mounted, e.g., on an airplane. According to the device, the axis of rotation of the probe is used directly as a positioning reference. The angular-positioning device include a fixed structure secured to the wall of the airplane, of annular shape and including a circular track for a moving slider. The vane is immobilized in an enveloping structure. A coupling member coupling the slider and the enveloping structure is fixed to the enveloping structure. Coupling is afforded by a flat spring leaf including a stud at its end. The stud is slipped into a slit of the slider, which allows the vane to be driven about its axis of rotation. The position is measured using a digital inclinometer.

Device for angular positioning of an incidence probe on a wall, of the type comprising of a weather vane that can move about an axis, particularly on a wall of an aircraft

Weather vanes ( ) are delicate instruments partially exposed to external conditions. They are used in particular in the aeronautical industry. The measurements provided by these weather vanes are crucial to the flying of an aircraft. A type of weather vane is proposed in which a vane can be changed. Changing the vane entails adjusting the orientation sensors ( ). To perform this adjustment, use is made of a factory setting rig ( ) that allows the various parts of the weather vane to be placed in a characteristic position.

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Issy les Moulineaux, France

Philippe Roberge