US 5,450,753 A · Method and apparatus for cooling sensors in high temperature environments

Abstract

Sensor assemblies, comprising one or more sensors for use in high-temperature environments such as an aircraft wing, include a thermally conductive retaining member in thermal communication with either the sensor or the environment surrounding the sensor. A housing assembly placed proximate to, and in thermal communication with, the retaining member defines a fluid passageway. During operation, fluid circulates through the housing to enhance the transfer of heat away from the sensor. Such heat transfer facilitates maintaining a sensor environment within the tolerance range of the sensor, thereby facilitating monitoring of the pressure fluctuation (or other sensor parameter) during operation of the aircraft.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A sensor assembly for monitoring at least one condition proximate a surface of an aircraft, said sensor assembly comprising:

a plurality of sensors;
at least one retaining member having at least one of said plurality of sensors retained therein, said at least one retaining member having an upper surface cooperatively configured with said surface of said aircraft to lie proximate said surface of said aircraft and further having a securing portion extending from said retaining member's surface through at least a portion of said surface of said aircraft;
and at least one fluid chamber cooperatively arranged proximate said at least one retaining member to establish thermal communication between said plurality of sensors in said at least one retaining member and a fluid within said at least one fluid chamber to control the temperature environment of said plurality of sensors.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for cooling sensors in high temperature environments

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for cooling sensors in high temperature environments

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims7