Air data probe electronics housing with thermal isolating features
AssigneeRosemount Aerospace Inc.
InventorsAndrew Gilb, Lisa C. Graham
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Abstract
In some applications, aircraft air data probes are heated to prevent rain, ice, or other moisture from attaching to the air data probe, ensuring proper functionality of the air data probe. But the elevated temperatures can have negative effects on the electronic components positioned within the air data probe. Therefore, thermal isolating features are added to a housing to thermally isolate the heated parts of the air data probe from the electronic components within the air data probe, which are required to stay relatively cool for proper functioning.
Claims17
An air data probe comprising:
- a body comprising an inlet fluidly coupled to an outlet;
- a heating element positioned within the body of the air data probe, wherein the heating element is configured to increase a temperature of the body;
- a sensing probe positioned within the body, wherein the sensing probe includes a sensing base coupling the sensing probe to the body;
- and
- a housing positioned within and coupled to the body, wherein the housing includes:
- a housing body including an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner surface of an inner wall, and an outer surface of an outer wall;
- wherein the inner wall is offset from the outer wall such that a gap is positioned between the inner wall and the outer wall;
- wherein the housing surrounds a plurality of electrical wires extending from the sensing probe, and wherein the plurality of electrical wires are electrically coupled to a plurality of electrical leads;
- wherein a connection point between the plurality of electrical wires and the plurality of electrical leads is encompassed by a potting, and wherein the potting is positioned within the inner surface of the inner wall of the housing body, whereby the potting is hindered from growing outside an intended adhesion area.
A housing for surrounding electrical components within an air data probe configured to gather data during flight of an aircraft, the housing comprising:
- a housing body including an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner surface, an outer surface, a rim positioned adjacent the upper surface, and a lower body positioned adjacent the lower surface;
- an inner wall offset from an outer wall such that a gap is positioned between the inner wall and the outer wall, wherein the inner wall and the outer wall converge and are coupled adjacent the lower body of the housing body, and
- a first alignment feature and a second alignment feature, wherein the first alignment feature is positioned adjacent the rim of the housing body, and wherein the second alignment feature is positioned adjacent the lower body of the housing body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.