Icing resistant sensor port for a fuel tank environment
First Claim
1. A sensor port device for resisting formation and propagation of ice around a sensor port, comprising:
- an inlet assembly having a shaped volume that resists ice plug formation, wherein a shape of the shaped volume causes application of a force vector component to ice that forms within the shaped volume to eject the ice away from the inlet assembly;
a plurality of edges disposed on the inlet assembly, wherein the edges have small surface areas that resist ice formation; and
a plurality of openings disposed in the inlet assembly that provide for fluid flow across the shaped volume of the inlet assembly, wherein the fluid flow provided by the plurality of openings causes removal of the ice ejected by the shaped volume.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for an icing resistant sensor port assembly includes shaped and patterned features for resisting the formation and propagation of ice around a sensor port, such as for a pressure sensor in an aircraft fuel tank. Water may be present in fuel tanks due to condensation and other factors. The water, being heavier than fuel, such as jet fuel, sinks to the bottom of the tank and may be present around the sensor port. If the water completely fills the pressure port, it may damage the sensor. In various embodiments, an inlet assembly having a cone-shaped countersink, sharp edges that reduce surface area, anti-wetting coatings, and slots to allow fluid flow within the inlet assembly, among other features, may be used to help resist ice formation and propagation around a sensor port.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A sensor port device for resisting formation and propagation of ice around a sensor port, comprising:
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an inlet assembly having a shaped volume that resists ice plug formation, wherein a shape of the shaped volume causes application of a force vector component to ice that forms within the shaped volume to eject the ice away from the inlet assembly; a plurality of edges disposed on the inlet assembly, wherein the edges have small surface areas that resist ice formation; and a plurality of openings disposed in the inlet assembly that provide for fluid flow across the shaped volume of the inlet assembly, wherein the fluid flow provided by the plurality of openings causes removal of the ice ejected by the shaped volume. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of resisting formation and propagation of ice around a sensor port, comprising:
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disposing an inlet assembly over the sensor port, wherein the inlet assembly has a shaped volume that resists ice plug formation, wherein a shape of the shaped volume causes application of a force vector component to ice that forms within the shaped volume to eject the ice away from the inlet assembly; disposing a plurality of edges on the inlet assembly, wherein the edges have small surface areas that resist ice formation; and disposing a plurality of openings in the inlet assembly that provide for fluid flow across the shaped volume of the inlet assembly, wherein the fluid flow provided by the plurality of openings causes removal of the ice ejected by the shaped volume. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A sensor system, comprising:
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a sensor including a sensor port; and an icing resistant sensor port device disposed over the sensor port, wherein the icing resistant sensor port device includes; an inlet assembly having a shaped volume that resists ice plug formation, wherein a shape of the shaped volume causes application of a force vector component to ice that forms within the shaped volume to eject the ice away from the inlet assembly; a plurality of edges disposed on the inlet assembly, wherein the edges have small surface areas that resist ice formation; and a plurality of openings disposed in the inlet assembly that provide for fluid flow across the shaped volume of the inlet assembly, wherein the fluid flow provided by the plurality of openings causes removal of the ice ejected by the shaped volume. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification