Apparatus and method for measuring the side slip of a low observable aircraft
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorKevin J. Renshaw
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for measuring airflow past an aircraft by extending a probe (14) from the aircraft into the airflow with a retraction-extension mechanism (20) when a measurement is desired, and retracting the probe (14) when a measurement is not desired. In a low observable aircraft (12), the probe (14) can extend to measure angle of sideslip for flight in a slow speed regime, such as is experienced in vertical take-offs and landings, and can retract during normal wing borne flight to reduce the aircraft's radar signature.
Claims20
An apparatus for measuring airflow past an aircraft, the apparatus comprising:
- a probe having a front and a center of pressure;
- a support member coupled to the probe between the front and the center of pressure;
- a retraction-extension mechanism located in the aircraft, the mechanism cooperating with the support member to extend the probe into the airflow so that the probe can rotate to align with the airflow, and to retract the probe into the aircraft.
An apparatus for measuring airflow to determine angle of sideslip for a low observable aircraft, the apparatus comprising:
- a tetrahedron-shaped probe rotationally coupled to the aircraft, the probe extending into the airflow;
- and
- a sensor associated with the probe for measuring the rotational position of the probe to determine the aircraft's angle of sideslip.
A method for measuring airflow past an aircraft, the method comprising the steps of:
- testing for a first set of at least one predetermined condition;
- extending an aerodynamically-stable probe into the airflow if the first set of at least one predetermined conditions exists;
- and
- measuring the direction of the airflow past the aircraft by determining the rotational position of the probe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.