초록 ▼

A system and method for generating air flight data for an aircraft includes a network of substantially flush-mounted sensor modules which generate flow rate information and/or static pressure information for the many of the aircraft's aerodynamic surfaces, preferably near the respective leading edge

A system and method for generating air flight data for an aircraft includes a network of substantially flush-mounted sensor modules which generate flow rate information and/or static pressure information for the many of the aircraft's aerodynamic surfaces, preferably near the respective leading edges of the aerodynamic surfaces. The generated flow rate information and static pressure information are collected by a remotely-located controller. A processor calculates desired air flight data, including airspeed, aircraft altitude and airframe attitude information, based on the collected flow rate information and the static pressure information. Preferably, the processor selectively weights flow rate and static pressure information when calculating the desired air flight data such that flow rate information predominates at relatively low airspeeds and pressure information predominates at relatively higher airspeeds.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A system for generating information which characterizes the movement of an object through a fluid, wherein the object has at least one fluid-engaging exterior surface, the system comprising:at least one sensor module having a first surface mounted substantially flush wi

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A system for generating information which characterizes the movement of an object through a fluid, wherein the object has at least one fluid-engaging exterior surface, the system comprising:at least one sensor module having a first surface mounted substantially flush with a respective one of the exterior surfaces of the object, each module including:a first flow sensor generating a first signal representative of a flow rate of the fluid over the first surface along a first sensing axis, anda temperature sensor generating a second signal representative of a temperature of the first surface;a first processor in communication with the first flow sensor and the temperature sensor of each module, wherein the first processor generates a third signal for each module based on the first and second signals; anda second processor in communication with first processor, wherein the second processor calculates the characterizing information based on the third signals.