Rosemount Aerospace Limited

Steve F Alwin

Dennis J Cronin

Roger Duane Foster

Thomas Jerome Bachinski

Ronald Fritz Liffrig

Mathew L Sandnas

Thomas D Amerson

Mark Charles Skarohlid

Eric J Rach

Matthew L Sandnas

Dennis James Cronin

An electronic multi-function probe (MFP) is provided for positioning adjacent an aircraft skin. The electronic MFP includes a plurality of pressure sensing ports and an electronics housing. Positioned within the electronics housing are air data processing circuitry and stall protection system processing circuitry. The air data processing circuitry is configured to generate air data parameters, including airspeed and altitude, as a function of pressures at the plurality of pressure sensing ports. The stall protection system processing circuitry of the electronic MFP is configured to detect stall conditions as a function of angle of attack and at least one air data parameter from the air data processing circuitry, and to generate stall protection system outputs indicative of the detected stall conditions.

Air data stall protection system

A method of detecting errors in air data sensing systems having multi-function probes being used in combinations to define probe systems includes a step (A) of, for each probe system, making a first prediction of an aircraft parameter as a function of local angles of attack at two member probes of the particular system, and making a second prediction of the aircraft parameter as a function of local pressure ratios at the two member probes of the particular system. A step (B) is performed in which, for each of the probe systems, the first and second predictions of the aircraft parameter are compared to determine whether the first and second predictions are within a predetermined threshold of each other. Then, a step (C) is performed in which, for each of the probe systems, if the first and second predictions of the aircraft parameter are not within the predetermined threshold of each other, then the particular probe system is identified as having a malfunctioning member probe.

Error detection and fault isolation for multi-function air data probes and systems

In an iterative method of determining aircraft flight data parameters using first and second multi-function probes, an assumed value of a first aircraft parameter is defined to be equal to an initial value. Using the assumed value of the first aircraft parameter together with the respective local angles of attack determined at first and second multi-function probes, first and second estimates of a second aircraft parameter are calculated and compared. If the first and second estimates of the second aircraft parameter are within tolerance of each other, then the first aircraft parameter is approximately equal to the assumed value, and the second aircraft parameter is determined from the first and second estimates. If the first and second estimates of the second aircraft parameter are not within tolerance of each other, then an iterative process is continued to correctly determine the first and second parameters.

Iterative method of aircraft sideslip compensation for multi-function probe air data systems

A method of generating, for an aircraft, a total air temperature compensated for recovery or deicing heater error includes measuring a total air temperature with a total air temperature probe. A local angle of attack for the total air temperature probe is determined. Then, a corrected total air temperature, compensated for recovery or deicing heater error, is generated as a function of the measured total air temperature and the determined local angle of attack for the total air temperature probe.

Method of reducing total temperature errors and multi-function probe implementing same

A smart probe assembly for an aircraft includes pressure sensing ports for sensing pressures indicating angle of attack, static pressure and pitot pressure, a circuit housing mounted on said probe includes cards for a central processing unit, and also includes a global positioning satellite receiver. An antennae for the global positioning satellite receiver is mounted adjacent to the probe, on a mounting plate so that the antennae is protruding from the aircraft without cutting an additional hole in the aircraft skin, the inputs from the global positioning satellite are used for providing various flight performance information.

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Saint Paul, MN, United States of America

Steve F Alwin