# US 11,079,404 B2 · Test fixture for angle of attack (AOA) sensor vane

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- Number: US 11,079,404 B2
- Document ID: US11079404B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/421,073
- Filed: 2019-05-23
- Published: 2020-11-26
- Granted: 2021-08-03
- Earliest claimed: 2019-05-23
- Assignees: The Boeing Company
- Applicants: The Boeing Company
- Inventors: Charley Shin; Bally Bang
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11079404B2

## CPC

- G01P 21/025: {for measuring speed of fluids; for measuring speed of bodies relative to fluids (for measuring volume flow G01F25/10)}
- B64D 47/00: Equipment not otherwise provided for
- B64F 5/60: Testing or inspecting aircraft components or systems
- G01P 13/025: {indicating air data, i.e. flight variables of an aircraft, e.g. angle of attack, side slip, shear, yaw}
- G01P 1/026: {for speed measuring devices, e.g. pulse generator}
- G01P: MEASURING LINEAR OR ANGULAR SPEED, ACCELERATION, DECELERATION, OR SHOCK; INDICATING PRESENCE, ABSENCE, OR DIRECTION, OF MOVEMENT (measuring or recording blood flow A61B5/02, A61B8/06; monitoring speed or deceleration of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L3/00; vehicle lighting systems adapted to indicate speed B60Q1/54; determining position or course in navigation, measuring ground distance in geodesy or surveying G01C; combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement G01C23/00; measuring velocity of sound G01H; measuring velocity of light G01J7/00; measuring direction or velocity of solid objects by reception or emission of radiowaves or other waves and based on propagation effects, e.g. Doppler effect, propagation time, direction of propagation, G01S; measuring speed of nuclear radiation G01T; measuring acceleration of gravity G01V; {measuring or recording the speed of trains B61L23/00; speed indicators incorporated in motor vehicles B60K35/00; measuring frequency or phase G01R; traffic control G08G})
- B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64F: GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT; DESIGNING, MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLING, CLEANING, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING AIRCRAFT, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; HANDLING, TRANSPORTING, TESTING OR INSPECTING AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A test fixture for determining calibration accuracy of an aircraft angle of attack sensor vane includes an outer disc, configured to be transiently fixed to an aircraft exterior portion surrounding the sensor vane, and an inner disc that includes a spring-loaded plunger configured to physically engage the sensor vane during tests. The inner disc is rotatable relative to the outer disc to accommodate rotation of the sensor vane when engaged with the inner disc. The outer disc includes a ring gear fixed thereto; the inner disc includes a manually operated knob containing a spur gear that reacts with the ring gear to rotate the inner disc when the knob is rotated. The outer disc is a clamshell structure formed of an upper annular disc and a lower annular disc rigidly secured together, and the inner disc is rotatably retained between the upper and lower annular discs.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A test fixture configured to determine calibration accuracy of a sensor vane that measures an angle of attack of an aircraft , the test fixture comprising:
an outer disc configured to be transiently secured to an exterior portion of the aircraft, the exterior portion including the sensor vane , the outer disc including a ring gear; and
an inner disc configured to be coupled to the sensor vane, the inner disc being movably secured to the outer disc for rotary manipulation of the inner disc to rotate the sensor vane when coupled thereto; and
wherein the inner disc includes an adjustment feature including a spur gear that reacts with the ring gear to rotate the inner disc.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The test fixture of claim 1, wherein the outer disc defines a clamshell structure comprising a lower annular disc and an upper annular disc, wherein the inner disc is rotatably retained between the lower annular disc and the upper annular disc.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The test fixture of claim 2, wherein the lower annular disc of the outer disc is configured to be directly secured to the exterior portion.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The test fixture of claim 2, wherein the lower annular disc contains a spring-loaded mounting screw for transient securement of the test fixture to the exterior portion.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The test fixture of claim 1, wherein the adjustment feature comprises an adjustment knob that includes the spur gear fixedly attached to the adjustment knob for rotation therewith.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The test fixture of claim 5, wherein the adjustment knob has a base fixedly secured to the inner disc.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The test fixture of claim 1, further comprising a plunger assembly having a housing secured to the inner disc, the plunger assembly including a plunger, an actuator lever rigidly affixed to the plunger, and a spring disposed against the plunger, wherein the actuator lever and the spring are configured to control engagement and disengagement of the plunger with the sensor vane.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The test fixture of claim 7, wherein the plunger assembly includes a plunger block for supporting the plunger and enabling axial and rotary manipulation of the actuator lever and the plunger within the plunger block.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The test fixture of claim 7, wherein the plunger assembly includes an interlock plate secured to the housing, wherein the interlock plate retains the actuator lever against force of the spring when the plunger is disengaged from the sensor vane.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The test fixture of claim 7, wherein the spring is configured by default to engage the plunger with the sensor vane.

### Claim 11

A method of testing accuracy of a sensor vane for measuring an angle of attack of an aircraft by using a test fixture to determine calibration of the sensor vane, the method comprising:
transiently securing an outer disc of the test fixture to an exterior portion of the aircraft such that the outer disc overlies the sensor vane, the outer disc including a ring gear;
coupling an inner disc of the test fixture to the sensor vane, wherein the inner disc is rotatably secured to the outer disc; and
manipulating an adjustment feature of the test fixture, wherein the adjustment feature is fixed to the inner disc, causing a spur gear of the test fixture that engages the ring gear to react with the ring gear, to thereby rotate the sensor vane.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the outer disc includes a lower annular disc and an upper annular disc, and wherein the inner disc is rotatably retained between the lower annular disc and the upper annular disc.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the lower annular disc of the outer disc is configured to be directly secured to the exterior portion.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the lower annular disc contains a spring-loaded mounting screw for transient securement of the test fixture to the exterior portion.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the adjustment feature further comprises an adjustment knob fixedly attached to the spur gear for rotation therewith.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the adjustment knob has a base fixedly secured to the inner disc.

### Claim 17 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, further comprising:
providing a plunger assembly having a plunger, an actuator lever rigidly affixed to the plunger, and a spring disposed against the plunger;
securing the plunger assembly to the inner disc; and
configuring the actuator lever and the spring to control engagement and disengagement of the plunger with the sensor vane.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, further comprising forming the plunger assembly to include a plunger block for supporting the plunger, and to enable axial and rotary manipulation of the actuator lever and the plunger within the plunger block.

### Claim 19

A method of using a test fixture having a manual adjustment knob secured to an inner disc, and an actuator lever fixed to a plunger and also secured to the inner disc, to determine calibration accuracy of a sensor vane capable of measuring an angle of attack of an aircraft, the method comprising:
securing the test fixture over an exterior portion of the aircraft that includes the sensor vane projecting from the exterior portion;
moving the actuator lever to engage the plunger with the sensor vane; and
manipulating the manual adjustment knob to cause the sensor vane to rotate.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, further comprising using the manual adjustment knob to rotate the inner disc, thereby rotating the sensor vane, wherein the actuator lever is both axially and rotationally moveable on the test fixture.