Total air temperature probe providing a secondary sensor measurement chamber

Abstract

A total air temperature sensor probe samples the air stream surrounding an aircraft in flight, and includes a duct carrying a fluid flow a portion of which is diverted to a primary chamber mounting a total air temperature sensor. A secondary chamber has a secondary sensor for sensing a different property of a sampled air stream. The secondary chamber is open to receive air flow from passageways in the total air temperature probe.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An air data sensor probe for sensing parameters of air flowing past the probe, comprising: 
 an outer housing;    a primary air flow passage through the housing;    a primary chamber in the housing receiving air flow from the primary air flow passage;    a temperature sensor in the primary chamber;    a secondary passage in the housing;    a secondary chamber in the housing receiving air from the secondary passage;    a secondary air data sensor in the secondary chamber, the secondary data sensor sensing a parameter of air in the secondary chamber.    
     
     
         2 . The air data sensor probe of  claim 1  wherein the secondary passage comprises openings leading from the primary air flow passage.  
     
     
         3 . The air data sensor probe of  claim 1  wherein the secondary passage comprises a laterally extending air exit passage.  
     
     
         4 . The air data sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary chamber includes openings to the primary chamber.  
     
     
         5 . The air data sensor probe of  claim 1  wherein the secondary air data sensor is selected from the group consisting of a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, a water vapor sensor, a CO 2  sensor, a nitrogen sensor, an air constituent sensor, and an air contaminant sensor.  
     
     
         6 . The air data sensor probe of  claim 1  wherein the secondary chamber is positioned in the housing forward of the primary chamber, and further comprising a port leading to the secondary chamber from the secondary passage in the housing.  
     
     
         7 . The air data sensor probe of  claim 6  and further comprising an aspirator tube in the secondary chamber to eject air to reduce pressure in the secondary chamber.  
     
     
         8 . The air data sensor probe of  claim 1  wherein the secondary chamber is positioned in the housing aft of the primary chamber, and wherein ports from the primary chamber lead directly to the secondary chamber.  
     
     
         9 . The air data sensor probe of  claim 8  and further comprising an aspirator tube in the secondary chamber to eject air to reduce pressure in the secondary chamber.  
     
     
         10 . The air data sensor probe of  claim 9  wherein the aspirator tube in the secondary chamber comprises a combined sensor chamber and aspirator tube, the aspirator tube being separated from the sensor chamber, and rearwardly facing ports for discharging air from the aspirator tube.  
     
     
         11 . The air data sensor probe of  claim 9  wherein a low pressure source of air is connected to the aspirator tube.  
     
     
         12 . The air data sensor probe of  claim 8  wherein the secondary chamber has openings on an aft side thereof for discharging air from the primary and secondary chambers.  
     
     
         13 . An air data sensor probe for sensing parameters of air flowing past the probe, comprising: 
 a housing having a base configured to be supported on an aircraft skin;    an inlet scoop in the housing at a leading end to receive air flow;    an exit channel in the housing at a trailing end from which air flow exits;    an interior air flow duct in the housing between the inlet scoop and the exit channel;    a primary chamber in the housing connected to and receiving air flow from the interior air flow duct;    a primary sensor positioned in the primary chamber for measuring a total air temperature;    a secondary chamber in the housing; and    a secondary air data sensor positioned in the secondary chamber for measuring a secondary air data parameter.    
     
     
         14 . The air data sensor probe of  claim 13  wherein the secondary chamber is positioned in the housing forward of the primary chamber.  
     
     
         15 . The air data sensor probe of  claim 14  and further comprising a secondary passage in the housing, the secondary passage providing air to the secondary chamber.  
     
     
         16 . The air data sensor probe of  claim 15  wherein the secondary passage includes openings leading from the interior air flow duct to receive air flow from the interior air flow duct.  
     
     
         17 . The air data sensor probe of  claim 15  wherein the secondary passage comprises a laterally extending air exit passage.  
     
     
         18 . The air data sensor probe of  claim 13  wherein the secondary chamber includes openings to the primary chamber.  
     
     
         19 . The air data sensor probe of  claim 13  wherein the secondary air data sensor is selected from the group consisting of a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, a water vapor sensor, a CO 2  sensor, a nitrogen sensor, an air constituent sensor, and an air contaminant sensor.  
     
     
         20 . The air data sensor probe of  claim 13  wherein the secondary chamber is positioned in the housing aft of the primary chamber.  
     
     
         21 . The air data sensor probe of  claim 20  wherein ports from the primary chamber lead directly to the secondary chamber.  
     
     
         22 . The air data sensor probe of  claim 21  and further comprising an aspirator tube in the secondary chamber to eject air to reduce pressure in the secondary chamber.  
     
     
         23 . The air data sensor probe of  claim 22  wherein the aspirator tube in the secondary chamber comprises a combined sensor chamber and aspirator tube, the aspirator tube being separated from the sensor chamber, and rearwardly facing ports for discharging air from the aspirator tube.  
     
     
         24 . The air data sensor probe of  claim 22  wherein a low pressure source of air is connected to the aspirator tube.