US-12625156-B2 - Apparatus incorporating strain sensor for determining relative velocity, flow, or attack angle between a fluid and a body

Abstract

An apparatus including at least one deflecting element and at least one strain sensor is configured for determining relative velocity, fluid flow, or angle of attack between a fluid and a body having a fluid-contacting surface and an opposing non-fluid-contacting surface. The deflecting element is joined to the body and extends from the fluid-contacting surface into the fluid, while the strain sensor is coupled to the non-fluid-contacting surface and is configured to detect strain imparted on the body by deflection of the at least one deflecting element. An output signal of the at least one strain sensor permits calculation of at least one of relative velocity, fluid flow, or angle of attack between the fluid and the body. By measuring deflection of a surface of the body, the at least one strain sensor may be mounted on or along the non-fluid-contacting surface where the environment is controllable, such that the sensor is not subject to deleterious environmental effects.

Inventors

• Paul Piccione

Assignees

• QORVO US, INC.

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20230905

Claims (20)

1. 1 . An apparatus for determining relative velocity, fluid flow, or angle of attack between a fluid and a body having a fluid-contacting surface and a non-fluid-contacting surface that opposes the fluid-contacting surface, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of deflecting elements joined to the body and extending from the fluid-contacting surface into the fluid; and a plurality of strain sensors coupled to the non-fluid-contacting surface; wherein each deflecting element of the plurality of deflecting elements has one or more strain sensors of the plurality of strain sensors in sensory communication therewith; and wherein the plurality of strain sensors is configured to detect strain imparted on the body by deflection of the at least one deflecting element.
2. 2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a substrate between the plurality of strain sensors and the non-fluid-contacting surface.
3. 3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the substrate comprises a printed wiring board.
4. 4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising a processor mounted to the printed wiring board.
5. 5 . The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising an adhesive between the substrate and the non-fluid-contacting surface.
6. 6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor in sensory communication with the body and configured to generate a signal indicative of temperature, wherein the apparatus is configured to utilize the signal indicative of temperature to correct an output signal of at least one strain sensor of the plurality of strain sensors.
7. 7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one deflecting element of the plurality of deflecting elements extends from the fluid-contacting surface into the fluid in a cantilever arrangement.
8. 8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure of the fluid to generate a signal indicative of pressure, wherein the apparatus is configured to utilize the signal indicative of pressure to correct and/or validate an output signal of at least one strain sensor of the plurality of strain sensors.
9. 9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the body is uninterrupted without an opening between the at least one deflecting element and the plurality of strain sensors.
10. 10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one deflecting element of the plurality of deflecting elements is integrally formed with the body.
11. 11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one deflecting element of the plurality of deflecting elements is mechanically joined or welded to the body.
12. 12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a pipe or conduit containing the fluid.
13. 13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein at least one deflecting element of the plurality of deflecting elements extends across substantially an entire inner diameter or inner width of the pipe or conduit.
14. 14 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of deflecting elements comprises a first deflecting element extending radially inward in a first direction within the pipe or conduit, and a second deflecting element extending radially inward in a second direction within the pipe or conduit, wherein the second direction opposes the first direction.
15. 15 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of deflecting elements comprises a first deflecting element having a first length and first maximum width, and comprises a second deflecting element having a second maximum width, the apparatus further comprising at least one of the following features (i) and (ii): (i) the first length differs from the second length; and (ii) the first maximum width differs from the second maximum width.
16. 16 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of deflecting elements comprises a first deflecting element comprising a first material, and comprises a second deflecting element comprising a second material, wherein the first material differs from the second material.
17. 17 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of strain sensors comprises a first strain sensor and a second strain sensor, with the second strain sensor mounted substantially perpendicular to the first strain sensor, wherein the first strain sensor is configured to detect deflection in a first direction, and the second strain sensor is configured to detect deflection in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
18. 18 . An apparatus for determining relative velocity, fluid flow, or angle of attack between a fluid and a body having a fluid-contacting surface and a non-fluid-contacting surface that opposes the fluid-contacting surface, the apparatus comprising: at least one deflecting element joined to the body and extending from the fluid-contacting surface into the fluid; and at least one strain sensor coupled to the non-fluid-contacting surface; wherein the at least one strain sensor is configured to detect strain imparted on the body by deflection of the at least one deflecting element; wherein the body comprises an external wall, a wing, or a foil of a vehicle; and wherein the apparatus comprises at least one of the following features (i) and (ii): (i) the at least one deflecting element comprises a pitotstatic tube; and (ii) the apparatus comprises an altitude sensor configured to detect altitude of the vehicle and to generate a signal indicative of altitude, wherein the apparatus is configured to utilize the signal indicative of altitude to correct and/or validate an output signal of the at least one strain sensor.
19. 19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the apparatus comprises feature (i), namely, the at least one deflecting element comprises a pitotstatic tube.
20. 20 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the apparatus comprises feature (ii), namely, the apparatus comprises an altitude sensor configured to detect altitude of the vehicle and to generate a signal indicative of altitude, wherein the apparatus is configured to utilize the signal indicative of altitude to correct and/or validate an output signal of the at least one strain sensor.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/411,835 filed on Sep. 30, 2022, wherein the entire contents of the foregoing application are hereby incorporated by reference herein. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to apparatuses for determining relative velocity, flow, or angle of attack between a fluid and a body, such as a vehicle or a pipe. BACKGROUND Sensors are used in various contexts to measure parameters such as relative velocity, flow (e.g., mass flow rate), and/or angle of attack between fluids and bodies of different types, including vehicles and pipes, among others. Conventional velocity measurement equipment in aviation or watercraft employs Pitot-static tubes. A Pitot-static tube (or simply “Pitot tube”) consists of two concentric tubes, the central one having an open end pointing upstream of the fluid flow and the other closed at the end but with small holes oriented at right angles to the direction of flow. Pitot tubes are subject to icing in aviation, lack sensitivity at lower velocity, and they increase drag on a vehicle. Incorrect readings from Pitot tubes have been the subject of multiple aircraft incidents, including fatal accidents. Conventional measurement systems for determining mass flow of fluids utilize complicated sensors (e.g., automotive mass air flow sensors employing hot-wire anemometry) or such systems are ill-suited for monitoring in certain environments (e.g., sewage monitoring). Automotive mass airflow sensors provide an indirect measurement method. Municipal water supply systems also rely upon indirect measurement via pressure sensors, and sewer and storm-drain systems lack such monitoring. Service to sewer and storm drain systems is typically provided through periodic manual inspections, or after a back-up is noticed during heavy use conditions. Conventional angle-of-attack (AOA) sensors, such as those implemented on aircraft and submarines, utilize rotating foils that sense the angle of attack of a vessel through a fluid. AOA sensors are subject to failure for multiple reasons, including exposure to the elements and wear of moving parts. Incorrect readings of AOA sensors have been the subject of numerous incidents, including fatal accidents. Need exists in the art for sensing apparatuses that are simple, highly reliable, versatile, can operate over a wide range of conditions. SUMMARY An apparatus is configured for determining relative velocity, fluid flow, or angle of attack between a fluid and a body having a fluid-contacting surface and a non-fluid-contacting surface that opposes the fluid-contacting surface. The apparatus includes at least one deflecting element joined to the body and extending from the fluid-contacting surface into the fluid, and at least one strain sensor coupled to the non-fluid-contacting surface, wherein the at least one strain sensor is configured to detect strain imparted on the body by deflection of the at least one deflecting element. The deflecting element may be constructed of a material having a known modulus of elasticity. An output signal of the at least one strain sensor permits calculation of at least one of relative velocity, fluid flow, or angle of attack between the fluid and the body. By measuring deflection of a surface of the body, the at least one strain sensor may be mounted on or along the non-fluid-contacting surface where the environment is controllable, such that the sensor is not subject to deleterious environmental effects. In certain embodiments, a substrate is provided between the at least one strain sensor and the non-fluid-contacting surface. The substate may comprise a printed wiring board, optionally including a processor thereon, and an adhesive material may be provided between the substrate and the non-fluid-contacting surface. Various sensors may be associated with the apparatus is configured for determining relative velocity, fluid flow, or angle of attack. In certain embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a temperature sensor in sensory communication with the body and configured to generate a signal indicative of temperature, wherein the apparatus is configured to utilize the signal indicative of temperature to correct an output signal of the at least one strain sensor. In certain embodiments, the apparatus further comprises an altitude sensor configured to detect altitude of a vehicle and to generate a signal indicative of altitude, wherein the apparatus is configured to utilize the signal indicative of altitude to correct and/or validate an output signal of the at least one strain sensor. In certain embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure of the fluid to generate a signal indicative of pressure, wherein the apparatus is configured to utilize the signal indicative of pressure to correct and/or validate an output signal of the at least one strain sensor. In