Abstract:
An apparatus for measuring an air pressure includes a linear retaining means, a towed device, at least one pressure sensor for acquiring a static pressure, and an actuating device that can be positioned in an aircraft, for retracting and extending the linear retaining means. The towed device includes an enclosure, an autarchic voltage supply and a wireless first communication device that is connected to the autarchic voltage supply. The first communication device is equipped to transmit signals and/or data that represent acquired measurement data to a second communication device. Consequently, the linear retaining means can be attuned purely to the task of retaining the towed device and does not need to carry out any secondary tasks of transmitting signals and/or measured data.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2011/056527, filed Apr. 26, 2011, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/328,778, filed on Apr. 28, 2010, and German Patent Application No. 10 2010 018 547.7, filed on Apr. 28, 2010, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates to an apparatus for measuring an air pressure on an aircraft. The invention furthermore relates to a system for acquiring air data, to a method for measuring an air pressure, and to an aircraft comprising at least one device for measuring an air pressure. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Safe flight and proper operation of an aircraft make it indispensable on board the aircraft to regularly acquire essential air data, which, for example, also includes the static ambient pressure outside the aircraft. In order to fulfill this task, in the state of the art a host of various sensors exist which are, for example, arranged in close proximity to the outside of the aircraft. For the purpose of calibrating the anemometry and for re-gaining RVSM certification following structural repairs or the like, towed probes are temporarily used which are towed at a relatively large distance behind the aircraft in order to acquire air data with the least possible influence as a result of the aerodynamic flow around the aircraft. RVSM denotes “Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum”; it refers to reduced vertical separation which results in improved utilisation of airways. 
         [0004]    Such towed sensors are well known from the state of the art; they include, for example, towed probes that can be guided by an air hose behind an aircraft and that, by means of a sensor arranged within the aircraft, with the use of the air hose can measure the ambient pressure in the region of the probe. Furthermore, directly-measuring towed sensors are also known which can be guided by a fibre optic line behind the aircraft, wherein the energy supply to the towed sensor is provided by transforming optical energy to electrical energy, and the sensor can communicate, by way of the fibre optic line with the aircraft or with an arithmetic unit arranged therein, for transmitting a measured value. 
         [0005]    In the case of larger commercial aircraft, such towed sensors are frequently arranged on a vertical stabiliser so as to be extendable; they require a winding roll with a diameter significantly exceeding one metre, and thus conduit routing from the vertical stabiliser, which is normally not pressurised, to a pressurised region of an aircraft fuselage. This requires replacement of an end cap of the vertical stabiliser, a special ground test to determine the friction in the conduit, and re-painting of the end cap of the vertical stabiliser after deinstallation of the conduit. 
         [0006]    DE 40 13 921 C1 shows apparatus for measuring the air pressure in the context of aircraft, which apparatus is designed as a towed system, wherein a fibre optic line is designed to act at the same time both as a retaining means for a towed sensor and as an energy transmission means for supplying the towed sensor. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The above-mentioned towed sensors from the state of the art are not entirely suitable to meet all the requirements relating to light weight, good reliability in the context of repeated extension and retraction, and to little space requirement in a deactivated, i.e. retracted, state. 
         [0008]    An aspect of the present invention improves apparatus of the type mentioned above for measuring an air pressure in such a manner that the reliability can be improved while the weight and/or the installation space requirement can be reduced. 
         [0009]    According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus according to the invention comprises a towed device with an enclosure, which towed device is connected to an actuating device by way of a linear retaining means. The actuating device is designed to be arranged in the aircraft, and by way of the linear retaining means to move the towed device relative to the aircraft in order to extend or retract said towed device in this manner. 
         [0010]    In order to determine the static air pressure the apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention comprises at least one pressure sensor. 
         [0011]    Furthermore, the towed device comprises an autarchic voltage supply device and a first communication device that is designed to transmit signals and/or data to a second communication device or to receive signals and/or data from said second communication device. The autarchic voltage supply device is connected to the first communication device, which in turn is designed to transmit measured data acquired by the sensor to the second communication device. The at least one pressure sensor is equipped to forward a determined static pressure to the first communication device. 
         [0012]    In this arrangement the first communication device is designed as a wireless communication device which for communication does not require an electrically or optically conducting connection to the second communication device. For this purpose the first communication device comprises, for example, a modulator, an oscillation circuit and a transmitting and receiving antenna. It is understood that all suitable communication devices from the state of the art can be used for the transmission of data between the first communication device and the second communication device, including, for example, devices to improve reliability and/or data security, with such devices not being limited to analogue transmission mechanisms but in particular also mastering digital transmission mechanisms. 
         [0013]    The apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention provides a special advantage in that transmission of the measured values relating to the static pressure between equipment in the towed device and the aircraft takes place independently of a mechanical connection between the towed device and the aircraft. Therefore this mechanical connection in the form of the linear retaining means can be attuned purely to the mechanical function of retaining the towed device. The linear retaining means used in the state of the art, for example a pressure hose or an optic fibre, are suited only to a limited extent to fulfilling this mechanical retaining function, because the primary functions consist of transmitting signals. There are other materials available to improve the retaining function. For example it would be advantageous to use wire cables or synthetic cables, for example comprising nylon or Kevlar of a particularly thin cross section, which cables not only feature very high tensile strength but at the same time are also particularly easily stowed away. In the case of thin wire cables or synthetic cables it is possible to achieve significantly smaller bending radii, which result in very easy stowability without negatively affecting the quality of physical signal transmission, which would be the case, for example, in a hose or an optical fibre as a result of excessive bending or buckling. The resulting small diameter of a winding roll or the like for taking up the linear retaining means can result in integration of the actuating device directly in a vertical stabiliser, and consequently it might thus be possible to do without conduit routing from a vertical stabiliser to a pressurised region of an aircraft. 
         [0014]    Transmitting and receiving units that can wirelessly communicate with other transmitting and receiving units are presently already available in a greatly miniaturised form, so that the weight of the towed device is not determined to a significant extent by the first communication device, but instead to a large extent also by the pressure sensor itself. Furthermore, for example, batteries as autarchic voltage supplies are also available in greatly miniaturised form, for example in the form of high-performance lithium cells, wherein at the same time rechargeable batteries featuring a very good capacity-to-weight ratio also exist, for example lithium-polymer accumulators, which can practically be adapted to any desired design shape. 
         [0015]    In a preferred embodiment the actuating device is designed as a winch that is equipped to retract or extend the linear retaining means, for example by rolling in or rolling out onto or from a reel or a winding roll. 
         [0016]    In a particularly preferred embodiment the linear retaining means is designed as a nylon cable that comprises low density while at the same time providing very high tensile strength. 
         [0017]    In a likewise preferred embodiment the linear retaining means is designed as at least one wire. If several wires are used they could be interconnected or twisted to form a wire cable. 
         [0018]    Preferably, the enclosure of the towed device tapers off and at a thinner end comprises a device for connection to the linear retaining means. In operation this form is used to tension the linear retaining means, with the towed device attached to it, behind the aircraft as a result of the effect of the airflow, and to carry out an even straight-line movement. 
         [0019]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention the towed device comprises a solar cell as an autarchic voltage supply, which solar cell is arranged on the enclosure of the towed device and can be used in addition to a battery as an energy storage device or can be used independently thereof. Since calibration flights are mostly undertaken during daylight hours, a solar cell would be able to generate an adequate voltage that allows operation of the sensor. 
         [0020]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention the towed device additionally comprises a GPS receiver which transmits data by way of the transmitting and receiving unit. The GPS receiver can, in particular, be used for transmitting a geometric altitude, which makes possible the subsequent linking between a barometric altitude, determined by way of absolute pressure sensors, and the geometric altitude. 
         [0021]    By linking the geometric altitude at the sensor position, the barometric altitude measured at the position of the towed vehicle, and the geometric altitude at a reference point of the aircraft, determined by means of an on-board GPS receiver, precise determination of the barometric altitude at an aircraft reference point can be undertaken. Any difference in altitude between the position of the towed vehicle and the position of the aircraft can thus be eliminated by correlating these various determined altitude values. 
         [0022]    Other embodiments and aspect of the invention include a system for measuring air data, a method for measuring an air pressure, and an aircraft comprising apparatus for measuring an air pressure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    Further characteristics, advantages and application options of the present invention are disclosed in the following description of the exemplary embodiments and of the figures. All the described and/or illustrated characteristics per se and in any combination form the subject of the invention, even irrespective of their composition in individual claims or their interrelationships. Furthermore, identical or similar components in the figures have the same reference characters. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 1   a,    1   b,    1   c,    1   d  and  1   e  show a diagrammatic view of exemplary embodiments of apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  shows a diagrammatic view of a system according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  shows an aircraft equipped with at least one system according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  shows a block diagram of a method according to an aspect of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]      FIG. 1   a  shows apparatus  2  according to an embodiment of the invention, which apparatus  2  comprises a towed device  4 , a linear retaining means  6  and an actuating device  8 . In this arrangement the towed device  4  comprises an enclosure  10  which in order to protect against dirt, moisture and dynamic pressure encloses a grouped arrangement of electronic and mechanical devices  12 . The term “towed device”  4  refers to the device, arranged on the retaining means  6 , which is towed behind the aircraft. It is not imperative for this towed device  4  to comprise measuring devices as shown in the exemplary embodiments of  FIGS. 1   c  and  1   d.    
         [0029]    In the towed device  4  a pressure sensor  14 , an energy storage device  16  as an autarchic voltage supply, and a first communication device  18  that is connected both to the energy storage device  16  and to the pressure sensor  14  are arranged. Preferably, apart from the actual provisions necessary for communication, the first communication device also comprises an electronics unit  20  which processes signals or measured values of the pressure sensor  14  in such a manner that they can be transmitted in the form of data or signals to the outside to a further communication device. 
         [0030]    Preferably, the first communication device  18  is a wireless communication device and is correspondingly connected to a transmitting and receiving antenna  21  that can be positioned at various positions inside or outside the enclosure  10 . With corresponding dimensioning it would also be possible for the entire enclosure  10  to serve as an antenna for a predetermined narrow frequency range. On the other hand the antenna  21  could also be bonded in the shape of a wire or the like onto the outer surface of the enclosure  10 , wherein corresponding insulation is to be affixed between the antenna  21  and the enclosure  10 . As an alternative to this, the antenna  21  could also be designed so as to be rigid and could extend away from the enclosure or it could be implemented as a slack stranded wire, protruding from the enclosure  10 , with a corresponding insulation sheath in the manner of a wire antenna. Without limiting the invention to this, the first communication device  18  can, for example, be designed to implement data transmission by means of a frequency-spreading method which is insensitive to narrow-band interference. 
         [0031]    The linear retaining means  6  is used to pull the enclosure  10 , together with the devices contained therein, behind an aircraft, wherein the linear retaining means  6  is exclusively equipped to exert a pulling force on the towed device  4 , which pulling force results from the aerodynamic flow around the enclosure  10  and from the associated aerodynamic resistance or drag. 
         [0032]    In the case depicted, the actuating device  8  is designed as a winch with a motorised winding roll or the like, which winding roll is equipped to roll in and roll out the linear retaining means  6  and in so doing to retract it from, or extend it to, an airstream present behind an aircraft. By means of rolling in and rolling out, the towed device  4  can be removed from the movement means  8  in order to, in this manner, be able to measure a static pressure, for example at a predetermined distance from an aircraft, for example at 1-1.5 times the aircraft length. 
         [0033]      FIG. 1   b  shows a modified towed device  4  which in addition to the components shown in  FIG. 1   a  also comprises a GPS receiver  17  that is connected to a GPS antenna  19  and to the first communication device  18 . The GPS receiver  17  usually transmits GPS information at continuous intervals to the first communication device  18 , which can use this information to transmit a geometric altitude to the aircraft, which geometric altitude has been determined by position finding. A barometric altitude determined in the aircraft can be correlated with the geographic altitude determined by position finding, or corresponding calibration of the barometric altitude display can be carried out. 
         [0034]    In order to save additional weight, the GPS antenna  19  is preferably designed as a ceramic chip antenna, but it can at the same time also be designed as a separate antenna affixed to the enclosure  10 , in particular if the enclosure  10  comprises a metallic material. 
         [0035]    In addition to the above, the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1   b  comprises a solar cell  23  as an autarchic voltage supply, which solar cell  23  could be arranged on the enclosure  12  and is connected to the first communication device  18 . This can be in support of an energy storage device  16  which could be dimensioned so as to be correspondingly smaller, thus predominantly serving as a buffer storage device. 
         [0036]    In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1   c  the pressure sensor  14  is not arranged within the enclosure  10  of a towed device  7 , but instead, when seen upstream, is spaced apart from the enclosure  10  by a distance l 1  so as to be free of any aerodynamic influences of the enclosure  10 . In this arrangement the pressure sensor  14  is preferably wired to the first communication device  18 , which is located within the enclosure  10 . If the retaining means  6  comprises a metallic material, it could be used as part of the wiring. 
         [0037]    At the same time, according to  FIG. 1   d  it is also possible to implement measuring a pressure gradient behind an aircraft in that a multitude of pressure sensors  14  are arranged, so as to be spaced apart from each other, on the retaining means  6  upstream of the enclosure  10  of a towed device  9 . For example, the space d between the individual pressure sensors  14  is between 2 and 10 m, wherein the pressure sensors extend along a rear section of the retaining means  6 , for example along a third. The overall length l 3  of this arrangement of pressure sensors  14  could, for example, be 50 m, with an overall length of the retaining means  6  of 150 m and a distance l 2  of, for example, less than 5 m from the enclosure  10 . 
         [0038]    In the design of such an exemplary embodiment a particularly flat and compact pressure sensors  14  may be used so that rolling-in the retaining means  6  is not negatively affected. Furthermore, the pressure sensors  14  must be wired to the first communication device  18  so that the determined measured values can be transmitted to the aircraft. This could take place by means of particularly fine wiring, wherein in the embodiment of the retaining means  6  as a thin wire cable the retaining means  6  could be used as a shared voltage supply terminal or the like for the pressure sensors  14 . 
         [0039]      FIGS. 1   e  and  1   f  show further different positions of a pressure sensor  14 .  FIG. 1   e,  for example, demonstrates a pressure sensor  14 , arranged behind the enclosure  10 , on a towed device  11 , while in  FIG. 1   f  the pressure sensor  14  is arranged on the outside of the enclosure  10  of a towed device  13 . 
         [0040]    In a manner that differs from the above,  FIG. 2  shows an overall system according to an embodiment of the present invention, which apart from the apparatus  2  also comprises a second communication device  24  with an antenna  22 , furthermore also a regulating unit  26  that is designed to both control the actuating device  8  and to forward the data transmitted by the towed device  4  to at least one corresponding electronics device  28  within the aircraft. The second communication device  24  could preferably be equipped for initiating the communication with the first communication device  18  so that, in an existing connection, data is transmitted in packets to the second communication device  24 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 3  shows an aircraft  30  with a system according to an embodiment of the invention, which system makes it possible for the aircraft  30  to extend the towed device  4  behind the aircraft  30  in order to determine a static air pressure in that location. The distance between the towed device  4  and the rear delimitation of the aircraft  30  could, for example, be 1-1.5 times the aircraft length. Preferably, the apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention is arranged in a vertical stabiliser, particularly preferably in a front spar of the vertical stabiliser and/or in an end cap of the vertical stabiliser, wherein the linear retaining means  6  could be fed through an opening at an upper region of the vertical stabiliser above the rudder. 
         [0042]    Furthermore,  FIG. 4  shows a block diagram of a method according to an aspect of the invention, which method essentially comprises the steps of: extending  32  a towed device  4 ; measuring  34  a static air pressure; transmitting  36  the measured air pressure to a second communication device  24 ; and retracting  38  the towed device. Optionally, the method according to an aspect of the invention could also comprise transmitting  40  geometric altitude data. 
         [0043]    In addition, it should be pointed out that “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and “a” or “one” does not exclude a plural number. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that characteristics or steps which have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments can also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference characters in the claims are not to be interpreted as limitations. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS 
       [0000]    
       
           2  Device 
           4  Towed device 
           5  Towed device 
           6  Linear retaining means 
           7  Towed device 
           8  Actuating device 
           9  Towed device 
           10  Enclosure 
           11  Towed device 
           12  Grouped arrangement 
           13  Towed device 
           14  Pressure sensor 
           16  Energy storage device 
           17  GPS receiver 
           18  First communication device 
           19  GPS antenna 
           20  Electronics unit 
           21  Antenna 
           22  Antenna 
           23  Solar cell 
           24  Second communication device 
           26  Regulating unit 
           28  Electronics device 
           30  Aircraft 
           32  Extend 
           34  Measure 
           36  Transmit 
           38  Retract 
           40  Transmit