US 11,851,193 B2
Blended optical and vane synthetic air data architecture
Jaime Sly, Savage, MN (US); Brian Daniel Matheis, Lakeville, MN (US); and Kaare Josef Anderson, Farmington, MN (US)
Assigned to Rosemount Aerospace Inc., Burnsville, MN (US)
Filed by Rosemount Aerospace Inc., Burnsville, MN (US)
Filed on Nov. 20, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/953,807.
Prior Publication US 2022/0161933 A1, May 26, 2022
Int. Cl. B64D 15/20 (2006.01); G01P 5/26 (2006.01); G01S 17/95 (2006.01)
CPC B64D 15/20 (2013.01) [G01P 5/26 (2013.01); G01S 17/95 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
an optical ice detector and airspeed probe comprising:
a light source mounted to an exterior of an aircraft and orientated to emit a collimated light pulse into an airspace forward of the aircraft;
an ice detector module configured to output a detection signal to a consuming system of the aircraft, the detection signal indicative of the presence or absence of ice, water, or ice and water particles based on a backscatter light return received from the airspace wherein the ice detector module comprises:
a beam splitter;
a first lens connected to the beam splitter via a first fiber optic cable;
a second lens connected to the beam splitter via a second fiber optic cable configured a time-delay cable relative to the first fibric optic cable;
a first photodetector connected to the beam splitter and configured to output a first signal based on the backscatter light return received through the first lens and the backscatter light return received through the second lens; and
a second photodetector connected to the beam splitter and configured to output a second signal based on the backscatter light return received through the first lens and the backscatter light return received through the second lens, wherein the detection signal is based on the first signal and the second signal;
an airspeed module configured to output a line-of-sight signal indicative of a line-of-sight airspeed based on the backscatter light return received from the airspace, wherein the airspeed module comprises:
a third lens;
a third photodetector configured to output a third signal based on the backscatter light return;
a fourth photodetector configured to output a fourth signal based on the backscatter light return;
an optical filter characterized by a drop-off response between a first frequency and a second frequency, wherein an emission frequency of the collimated light pulse is between the first frequency and the second frequency; and
a circulator comprising a first port, a second port, and a third port, wherein the first port is connected to the third lens, and wherein the second port is connected to the optical filter and the third photodetector, and wherein the third port is connected to the fourth photodetector, and wherein the line-of sight signal is determined based on a frequency difference between the third signal and the fourth signal; and
an electronics module communicating with the optical ice detector, wherein the electronics module transmits air data outputs to an air data system of the aircraft, wherein the air data outputs include an airspeed of the aircraft determined based on the line-of-sight signal to the air data system of the aircraft.