Pressure and temperature sensors and methods of removing ice from pressure and temperature sensors

A method of removing ice or preventing ice formation, comprising:

• at a sensor including a mount arranged along a sensor axis, an airfoil body fixed to the mount and having a first face and second face extending along the sensor axis, and a heater element positioned within the airfoil body and extending axially through the airfoil body, the airfoil body defining therein a pressure channel having an inlet segment extending between the heater element and the first face of the airfoil body,
• receiving an airflow having entrained ice crystals or super-cooled moisture at the inlet segment of the pressure channel;
• heating the inlet segment of the pressure channel with the heater element;
• and
• melting at least some of the entrained ice crystals or warming at least some of the super-cooled moisture within the inlet segment using heat generated with the heater element;
• wherein the expansion chamber fluidly couples the inlet segment to the mount;
• wherein the inlet segment of the pressure channel traces an arcuate path between the first face and the second face of the airfoil body.

A method of making a sensor, comprising:

• forming, with an additive manufacturing technique, an airfoil body having a first face and a second face extending along a sensor axis;
• defining, with the additive manufacturing technique, a heater element seat and a pressure channel having an inlet segment extending between the heater element and the first face of the airfoil body to melt ice entrained within air traversing the pressure channel;
• defining, with the additive manufacturing technique, a temperature probe seat extending axially within the airfoil body;
• defining, with the additive manufacturing technique, an expansion chamber extending axially between the temperature probe seat and the heater element seat, the expansion chamber fluidly coupled to the inlet segment;
• positioning a heater element within the airfoil body in the heater element seat such that the heater element extends axially through the airfoil body;
• positioning a temperature probe within the airfoil body in the temperature probe seat;
• and
• fixing the airfoil body to a mount arranged along the sensor axis.