Air data system and method for rotary aircraft
First Claim
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1. An air data system for a rotary aircraft, comprising in combination:
- a plurality of ports arranged around a main rotor shaft and beneath a rotor hub of the rotary aircraft; and
a plurality of air flow sensors connected to the plurality of ports, wherein the plurality of ports permit air to flow into the plurality of air flow sensors, and wherein the plurality of air flow sensors are operable to measure speed and direction of cross-wind components of air flow surrounding the rotary aircraft based on the air that flows through the plurality of ports.
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Abstract
An air data system and method for a rotary aircraft is described. The air data system includes a plurality of flush ports connected via tubing to a plurality of air flow sensors that can measure air flow speeds as low as approximately 0.02 knots. The flush ports are arranged around a main rotor shaft and below a rotor hub of the rotary aircraft to help reduce the impact of rotor downwash. The flush ports and tubing permit air to flow into the air flow sensors, which allows the plurality of air flow sensors to measure speed and direction of cross-wind components of air flow surrounding the rotary aircraft.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An air data system for a rotary aircraft, comprising in combination:
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a plurality of ports arranged around a main rotor shaft and beneath a rotor hub of the rotary aircraft; and a plurality of air flow sensors connected to the plurality of ports, wherein the plurality of ports permit air to flow into the plurality of air flow sensors, and wherein the plurality of air flow sensors are operable to measure speed and direction of cross-wind components of air flow surrounding the rotary aircraft based on the air that flows through the plurality of ports. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An air data system for a rotary aircraft, comprising in combination:
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a plurality of flush parts arranged around a main rotor shaft and below a rotor hub of the rotary aircraft, wherein the plurality of flush ports is integrated into a cowling of the rotary aircraft; and a plurality of air flow sensors operable to detect air flow speeds as low as approximately 0.02 knots, wherein each air flow sensor is connected to two flush ports via tubing, wherein the plurality of flush ports and the tubing permit air to flow into the plurality of air flow sensors, and wherein the plurality of air flow sensors are operable to measure speed and direction of cross-wind components of air flow surrounding the rotary aircraft based on the air that flows through the flush ports.
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14. A method of measuring air data for a rotary aircraft, comprising in combination:
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integrating a plurality of ports into a cowling of the rotary aircraft, wherein the cowling is located around a main rotor shaft and beneath a rotor hub of the rotary aircraft; and connecting the plurality of ports to a plurality of air flow sensors, wherein the air flow sensors are located within the cowling, wherein the plurality of ports permit air to flow into the plurality of air flow sensors, and wherein the plurality of air flow sensors are operable to measure speed and direction of cross-wind components of air flow surrounding the rotary aircraft based on the air that flows through the ports. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification