Abstract
A conceptual coaxial Pitot tube (PT) has been developed using fiber optic sensors combined with actuators to monitor and maintain its correct operation under different environmental conditions. Experiments were performed showing that the dynamic and static tubes can be cleared of ice. It was also demonstrated that the dynamic tube could be cleared of dust and sand which was not the case for the static tube in the coaxial configuration. An approach was proposed to overcome this problem involving a conventional configuration where the static tube was operated independently orthogonal to the dynamic tube, and a second set of sensors and actuators was used. Sensors and associated actuators were developed for temperature and intensity for a linear PT. The aim of this work is to propose a solution for a problem that has caused the loss of the lives of many passengers and crew of aircraft. Resources were not available to test a full implementation of a PT incorporating the proposed modifications.
Highlights
The Pitot tube [1] (PT) was introduced in 1732; it still remains a key sensor for all modern aircrafts
The PT can be configured in different formats but the designs are invariably based on two tubes: one of the tubes is aligned with the direction of air velocity, the dynamic pressure tube (DPT), and the other, the static pressure tube (SPT) is aligned orthogonally to the flow or velocity direction
A fiber optic temperature [9] sensor based on a serial array of 3 fiber Bragg grating (FBG) temperature sensors with the resolution of about 0.2 °C at 1545 nm, 1550 nm, and 1555 nm was mounted strain free inside a 0.3 mm thin wall diameter brass tube located on the bottom of the SPT, respectively
Summary
The Pitot tube [1] (PT) was introduced in 1732; it still remains a key sensor for all modern aircrafts. Aircrafts have crashed due to PT blockage caused by flying through volcanic ash and sand It has occurred in hot countries where insects have nested in the dynamic tube and where the PT was covered for maintenance and the covers were not removed [3, 4]. The motivation for this project is to design a PT that detects blockage but is able to clear it, preventing a crash and saving lives.
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