Heat resistant pitot tube cover

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pitot tube cover which can be easily and securely emplaced on a hot pitot tube, and which is composed of material capable of withstanding the high temperatures found on such a pitot tube. The disclosed pitot tube cover can be formed from a multilayer laminate of heat resistant materials and a weather resistant material. The disclosed pitot tube cover also has a fastening mechanism which secures the pitot tube cover to the pitot tube. The disclosed pitot tube cover substantially covers the entire pitot tube and its associated fuselage mounting structure.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A heat resistant pitot tube cover comprising: 
 a body of heat resistant material;    an opening for accommodating an end of the pitot tube;    a fastening mechanism to secure said body to the pitot tube; and    wherein said body covers substantially the entire pitot tube.    
     
     
         2 . The heat resistant pitot tube cover of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a laminated material.  
     
     
         3 . The heat resistant pitot tube cover of  claim 2 , wherein the laminated material comprises: 
 an outermost layer of weather resistant material, having an inner surface;    an innermost layer of heat resistant material, having an inner surface;    a first mid layer of heat resistant material, said first mid layer located adjacent said inner surface of said outermost layer; and    a second mid layer of heat resistant material, said second mid layer located adjacent said inner surface of said innermost layer.    
     
     
         4 . The heat resistant pitot tube cover of  claim 3 , wherein the outermost layer of weather resistant material is selected from the group consisting of leather, naugahyde, plastic, vinyl, or synthetic material.  
     
     
         5 . The heat resistant pitot tube cover of  claim 3 , wherein the innermost layer of heat resistant material is selected from the group consisting of carbon fabric, silica fabric, and KEVLAR fabric.  
     
     
         6 . The heat resistant pitot tube cover of  claim 3 , wherein the first mid layer of heat resistant material comprises carbon fabric, silica fabric, or KEVLAR fabric.  
     
     
         7 . The heat resistant pitot tube cover of  claim 3 , wherein the second mid layer of heat resistant material comprises carbon fabric, silica fabric, or KEVLAR fabric.  
     
     
         8 . The heat resistant pitot tube cover of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a single piece of material.  
     
     
         9 . The heat resistant pitot tube cover of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a male snap piece and a female snap piece.  
     
     
         10 . A method of protecting a pitot tube with a heat resistant pitot tube cover, said method comprising: 
 providing a body of heat resistant material and of sufficient size to substantially cover the entire pitot tube;    providing an opening for accommodating an end of the pitot tube; and    providing a fastening mechanism to secure said body to the pitot tube.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said body comprises a laminated material.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the laminated material comprises at least one layer of material selected from the group consisting of carbon fabric, silica fabric, and KEVLAR fabric.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein: 
 the pitot tube has a proximal end which is operatively attached to an aircraft;    the pitot tube has a distal end which is free standing; and further wherein 
 protecting the pitot tube further comprises placing the pitot tube cover over the pitot tube starting from the distal end and securing the pitot tube cover proximate the proximal end, so that the pitot tube cover encloses substantially all of the pitot tube.  
   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein securing the pitot tube cover comprises closing said fastening mechanism, so that the pitot tube cover remains firmly in place.  
     
     
         15 . An aircraft comprising: 
 a pitot tube assembly; and    a heat resistant pitot tube cover, wherein said pitot tube cover further comprises a multilayer body including heat resistant material; an opening for accommodating an end of the pitot tube; a fastening mechanism to secure said multilayer body to the pitot tube; and wherein said body covers substantially the entire pitot tube.    
     
     
         16 . The aircraft of  claim 15 , wherein said multilayer body further comprises at least one layer of heat resistant material selected from the group consisting of carbon fabric, silica fabric, and KEVLAR fabric.