Device for measuring pressure, sound and vibration and method of analyzing flow on surfaces of structural parts

• US 6,752,020 B1
• Filed: 11/20/2001
• Issued: 06/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: Bosch, Dieter, Sobotta, Gerald
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): JENKINS, JERMAINE L
• Application Number:
  US09/979,160
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 737/02, 731/47, 731/78--18, 738/614.2, 738/614.7, 244/195, 244/35, 244/201, 364/424.03
• US Class Current: 73/702
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/00 Equipment not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 9/06 Measuring arrangements specially adapted for aerodynamic testing
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 9/065 dealing with flow

Abstract

In a method and apparatus for measuring pressure, sound and vibration, particularly for the flow analysis on missiles or airplanes, a sensor device which is used to sense pressure or sound waves, is linked to a structure of a structural part in order to measure forces acting upon the structural part surface. The sensor device is arranged completely inside the structure of the structural part or on the rear side of the structural part surface. In particular, the sensor device may comprise a piezoelectric foil which is situated under the structural part surface.

Claims

1. Apparatus for determining fluid flow characteristics on structural part surfaces, said apparatus comprising a sensor device for sensing pressure or sound waves, which sensor device is linked to a structure of a structural part for measuring forces acting upon the surface of the structural part, wherein:

the sensor device is mounted with an interior side of an outer wall of the structural part;

the sensor device is arranged completely beneath the surface of the structural part in order to detect said fluid flow characteristics by measurement of pressure or sound waves propagated through the surface material of the structural part; and

the sensor device comprises one of a piezoelectric foil and a foil sensor.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising an analysis unit for analyzing signals by means of artificial intelligence methods.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

the sensor device comprises a plurality of pressure sensors which are arranged on an interior side of a shell of the structural part, which shell forms an outer wall of the structural part.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

the structural part comprises a wing of a missile; and

the sensor device is arranged beneath a shell of a wing area.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of data lines and supply lines of the sensor device are arranged completely within the structural part.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein frequencies lower than or equal to 250 kHz are analyzed for flow characterization on the structural part surface, to detect occurrence of an event selected from the group consisting of turbulence start, compression shock, buffeting and local surface friction.

7. The device according claim 1, wherein:

the surface material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel and carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic material; and

thickness of the surface material is no greater than 5 mm.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device comprises a module that is a component of the structure of the structural part.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device is arranged in a space segment whose temperature can be adjusted.

10. A method of analyzing fluid flow on structural part surfaces, comprising:

measuring a parameter selected from the group consisting of pressure, sound and vibration on an interior surface of the structural part and generating measurement signals indicative thereof; and

determining at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of turbulence start, compression shock, buffeting and local surface friction based on measured signals, by means of artificial intelligence.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

using filtering methods for performing at least one function selected from the group consisting of preprocessing of signals, extraction of said fluid flow characteristics and classification of said fluid flow characteristics.