Abstract: A method of health management and assessment for an air data probe comprises performing a calibration process for the air data probe prior to installation of the air data probe on a vehicle; performing an operational process after the air data probe is installed on the vehicle; computing residuals for individual pressure channels of the air data probe and an aggregated response function, based on outputs from the calibration process and the operational process; storing and trending the residuals over time; evaluating a trendline for the residuals against one or more threshold values; and announcing a message when one or more of the threshold values is exceeded, indicating that the health of the air data probe is compromised.

Abstract: Method and systems of determining when to replace an air data probe are provided. The method includes estimating air data probe temperatures based at least in part on available vehicle sensor data; tracking an amount of time an estimated temperature of the heating element is within at least one temperature range; and providing an air data probe replacement indication when a replacement threshold is met that is at least in part based on reaching a cumulative amount of time the heating element has an estimated temperature within the at least one temperature range.

Abstract: A multi-function air data probe comprises a probe stem having an outer surface that extends between a first end and an opposite second end, with the probe stem having a first cross-sectional diameter; and a probe head having an outer surface that extends between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the probe head is coupled to the first end of the probe stem. The probe head has a second cross-sectional diameter that is larger than the first cross-sectional diameter of the probe stem. A plurality of multi-hole ports is located in the probe head, with the multi-hole ports extending into and through the probe stem. The air data probe is operative to make measurements used to determine one or more of angle of attack values, total pressure values, and static pressure values.

Abstract: A multi-function air data probe comprises a probe stem having an outer surface that extends between a first end and an opposite second end, with the probe stem having a first cross-sectional diameter; and a probe head having an outer surface that extends between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the probe head is coupled to the first end of the probe stem. The probe head has a second cross-sectional diameter that is larger than the first cross-sectional diameter of the probe stem. A plurality of multi-hole ports is located in the probe head, with the multi-hole ports extending into and through the probe stem. The air data probe is operative to make measurements used to determine one or more of angle of attack values, total pressure values, and static pressure values.

Abstract: Method and systems of determining when to replace an air data probe are provided. The method includes estimating air data probe temperatures based at least in part on available vehicle sensor data; tracking an amount of time an estimated temperature of the heating element is within at least one temperature range; and providing an air data probe replacement indication when a replacement threshold is met that is at least in part based on reaching a cumulative amount of time the heating element has an estimated temperature within the at least one temperature range.

Abstract: Method and systems of determining when to replace an air data probe are provided. The method includes measuring a temperature of a heating element of an air data probe; tracking an amount of time the heating element is within at least one temperature range; and providing an air data probe replacement indication when a replacement threshold is met that is at least in part based on reaching a cumulative amount of time the heating element has a measured temperature within the at least one temperature range.

Abstract: A multi-function air data probe comprises a probe stem having an outer surface that extends between a first end and an opposite second end, with the probe stem having a first cross-sectional diameter; and a probe head having an outer surface that extends between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the probe head is coupled to the first end of the probe stem. The probe head has a second cross-sectional diameter that is larger than the first cross-sectional diameter of the probe stem. A plurality of multi-hole ports is located in the probe head, with the multi-hole ports extending into and through the probe stem. The air data probe is operative to make measurements used to determine one or more of angle of attack values, total pressure values, and static pressure values.

Abstract: A probe assembly includes a heat source; and a probe tip configured to enhance conduction of heat provided by the heat source into a front end tip of the probe. The probe tip includes: a first region having high thermal conductivity in at least a z-direction, wherein the z-direction is parallel to an axis along which the probe tip is extended; and at least one additional region having thermal characteristics different from the first region.

Abstract: Method and systems of determining when to replace an air data probe are provided. The method includes measuring a temperature of a heating element of an air data probe; tracking an amount of time the heating element is within at least one temperature range; and providing an air data probe replacement indication when a replacement threshold is met that is at least in part based on reaching a cumulative amount of time the heating element has a measured temperature within the at least one temperature range.

Abstract: An air data probe is provided. The air data probe includes a pitot probe having a mounting base or flange, support strut, and tube with a forward facing inlet that is configured to capture a total pressure of the surrounding air, at least three dams placed within the tube of the pitot probe for blocking the ballistic trajectory of water droplets or ice crystals from passing directly through the tube to a downstream pressure sensing element, and a heater element integrated into the tube of the pitot probe on the outside of the dams. The at least three dams are oriented within the tube of the pitot probe in such a way that the dam locations are configured for two or more installations of the air data probe.

Abstract: Systems and methods for icing resistant total air temperature probes are provided. In one embodiment, a total air temperature data probe comprises: a probe base; a probe body comprising: a first interior airflow passage comprising a first annulus; a temperature sensor positioned within the first annulus; a heating element; a notched intake port positioned at a distal end, wherein the probe body provides a conductive thermal path from the heating element to the intake port, the intake port including an open channel extending inward into an intake aperture of the probe body, and a cutaway region that defines a recessed second face inset from the first face and exposes the open channel at least partially from the leading edge. The notched intake port further comprises a slot inset from the recessed second face that traverses across at least a portion of the intake aperture perpendicularly to the open channel.

Abstract: A probe portion of an air data probe is provided. The probe portion includes an endoskeleton structure having an outer surface, a heater cable disposed along the outer surface of the endoskeleton structure, a porous cover, surrounding the endoskeleton structure and heater cable, and a braze filler that substantially fills gaps between the heater cable and the endoskeleton structure and that substantially fills gaps in the porous metal cover.

Abstract: An air data probe is provided. The air data probe includes a pitot probe having a mounting base or flange, support strut, and tube with a forward facing inlet that is configured to capture a total pressure of the surrounding air, at least three dams placed within the tube of the pitot probe for blocking the ballistic trajectory of water droplets or ice crystals from passing directly through the tube to a downstream pressure sensing element, and a heater element integrated into the tube of the pitot probe on the outside of the dams. The at least three dams are oriented within the tube of the pitot probe in such a way that the dam locations are configured for two or more installations of the air data probe.

Abstract: An anti-ice system for an aircraft is provided. The system includes one or more sensors that are configured to generate data indicative of one or more of the size, shape, density and type of air borne particles in the vicinity of the aircraft. The one or more sensors are coupled to a data conditioner that is configured to prepare the data for processing. The data conditioner is coupled to a reasoner that is configured to determine from the data, the severity of an icing threat to an airframe, at least one engine and at least one air data probe. One or more controllers are coupled to the reasoner. The one or more controllers automatically operate an anti-icing mechanism for at least one of the at least one engine, the airframe, and the at least one air data probe depending on the icing threats determined by the reasoner.

Abstract: An air data probe is provided. The air data probe comprises an inner body having an outer surface, an outer body having an inner surface, a thin film heating system having a first surface and a second surface, a first thermally conductive adhesive disposed between the first surface and the outer surface, a second thermally conductive adhesive disposed between the second surface and the inner surface; and wherein the thin film heating system comprises one or more thin film heaters having one or more heating elements disposed in a thermally conductive, electrical insulator.

Abstract: A system for power management of air data probes is provided. The system comprises a power source in an aircraft, and two or more air data probes electrically connected to the power source. Each of the air data probes comprises a body structure coupled to a fuselage of the aircraft, and at least one electrical heater coupled to the body structure and in electrical communication with the power source. A switching mechanism is coupled between the power source and the electrical heater of each of the air data probes. The switching mechanism is controllable such that the electrical heater of each of the air data probes is electrically connectable to the power source in parallel or in series.

Abstract: An air data probe is provided. The air data probe includes a pitot probe having a mounting base or flange, support strut, and tube with a forward facing inlet that is configured to capture a total pressure of the surrounding air, at least three dams placed within the tube of the pitot probe for blocking the ballistic trajectory of water droplets or ice crystals from passing directly through the tube to a downstream pressure sensing element, and a heater element integrated into the tube of the pitot probe on the outside of the dams. The at least three dams are oriented within the tube of the pitot probe in such a way that the dam locations are configured for two or more installations of the air data probe.

Abstract: An air data probe is provided. The air data probe includes a pitot probe having a mounting base or flange, support strut, and tube with a forward facing inlet that is configured to capture a total pressure of the surrounding air, at least three dams placed within the tube of the pitot probe for blocking the ballistic trajectory of water droplets or ice crystals from passing directly through the tube to a downstream pressure sensing element, and a heater element integrated into the tube of the pitot probe on the outside of the dams. The at least three dams are oriented within the tube of the pitot probe in such a way that the dam locations are configured for two or more installations of the air data probe.

Abstract: Systems and methods for icing resistant total air temperature probes are provided. In one embodiment, a total air temperature data probe comprises: a probe base; a probe body comprising: a first interior airflow passage comprising a first annulus; a temperature sensor positioned within the first annulus; a heating element; a notched intake port positioned at a distal end, wherein the probe body provides a conductive thermal path from the heating element to the intake port, the intake port including an open channel extending inward into an intake aperture of the probe body, and a cutaway region that defines a recessed second face inset from the first face and exposes the open channel at least partially from the leading edge. The notched intake port further comprises a slot inset from the recessed second face that traverses across at least a portion of the intake aperture perpendicularly to the open channel.

Abstract: A probe assembly includes a heat source; and a probe tip configured to enhance conduction of heat provided by the heat source into a front end tip of the probe. The probe tip includes: a first region having high thermal conductivity in at least a z-direction, wherein the z-direction is parallel to an axis along which the probe tip is extended; and at least one additional region having thermal characteristics different from the first region.