Thermal icing conditions detector
First Claim
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1. A method of indicating the presence of liquid moisture in an airflow, comprising:
- providing an indicator of actual power consumed by a heated probe in a portion of an airflow that includes liquid moisture content;
sensing an airflow rate in the airflow with a pitot pressure sensor;
sensing static pressure in the airflow;
sensing total air temperature in the airflow;
calculating in a computer, as a function of the sensing of the airflow rate, the static pressure and the air temperature, an amount of power that would be consumed by the heated probe in a dry airflow; and
coupling the computer to the indicator of actual power consumed, the computer providing an output indicating the presence of liquid moisture in the airflow when the indicator of the actual power consumed by the heated probe deviates from the amount of power that would be consumed by the heated probe in a dry airflow.
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Abstract
A sensor for detecting icing conditions in an airstream includes a flow housing mounted on an aircraft and in which one or more probes are mounted. At least one of the probes subjected to impingement of the airstream and liquid moisture droplets in such airstream. The heat removal, or cooling effect on the probe in the airstream carrying liquid droplets is determined. A temperature signal indicating the airstream temperature is combined with signals from the at least one probe for determining whether or not icing conditions are present.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of indicating the presence of liquid moisture in an airflow, comprising:
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providing an indicator of actual power consumed by a heated probe in a portion of an airflow that includes liquid moisture content; sensing an airflow rate in the airflow with a pitot pressure sensor; sensing static pressure in the airflow; sensing total air temperature in the airflow; calculating in a computer, as a function of the sensing of the airflow rate, the static pressure and the air temperature, an amount of power that would be consumed by the heated probe in a dry airflow; and coupling the computer to the indicator of actual power consumed, the computer providing an output indicating the presence of liquid moisture in the airflow when the indicator of the actual power consumed by the heated probe deviates from the amount of power that would be consumed by the heated probe in a dry airflow. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of indicating the presence of liquid moisture in an airflow, comprising:
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providing an indicator of actual power consumed by a heated probe in a portion of an airflow that includes liquid moisture content; sensing total pressure in the airflow with a pitot pressure sensor; sensing static pressure in the airflow; sensing total air temperature in the airflow; calculating in a computer, as a function of the sensing of the total pressure, the static pressure and the air temperature, an amount of power that would be consumed by the heated probe in a dry airflow; and coupling the computer to the indicator of actual power consumed, the computer providing an output indicating the presence of liquid moisture in the airflow when the indicator of the actual power consumed by the heated probe deviates from the amount of power that would be consumed by the heated probe in a dry airflow. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification