Wing debris detector
First Claim
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1. A system for detecting wing debris on an aircraft having a wing main element, the system comprising:
- a probe coupled to the wing main element;
a deployment mechanism coupled to the probe and configured to deploy the probe around a leading edge of the wing main element; and
a sensor coupled to the probe and configured to measure a deviation of the probe from an expected nominally deployed position.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for wind debris detection comprises a spring loaded probe that is deployed on the leading edge of an aircraft wing into an area where debris formation might impact wing aerodynamic performance. The probe travel is sensed by sensors (angular displacement, linear displacement, proximity, torque, load cell on spring, and the like), and if the sensor(s) detect that probe travel is limited then presence of debris is indicated.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system for detecting wing debris on an aircraft having a wing main element, the system comprising:
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a probe coupled to the wing main element; a deployment mechanism coupled to the probe and configured to deploy the probe around a leading edge of the wing main element; and a sensor coupled to the probe and configured to measure a deviation of the probe from an expected nominally deployed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for detecting wing debris on an aircraft having a wing main element and a probe coupled to the wing main element, the method comprising:
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deploying the probe in front of a leading edge of the wing main element; measuring a position of the probe; and indicating presence of wing debris if the position of the probe deviates from an expected position by at least a threshold amount. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for detecting presence of debris on an aircraft wing comprising a leading edge and a Krueger flap coupled to the leading edge, the system comprising:
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a probe coupled to the aircraft wing, the probe having a measurement tip; a deployment mechanism coupled to the probe and configured to move the probe upon deployment of the Krueger flap such that the measurement tip of the probe extends between a gap formed between the Krueger flap and the leading edge, and to bias the measurement tip toward the leading edge until travel of the measurement tip is limited and the measurement tip reaches a measurement position; and a sensing architecture coupled to the probe and configured to compare the measurement position to an expected debris-free position. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification