Sensors used in Aviation/Aerospace
The aerospace industry is heavily regulated, and safety standards are strictly enforced to ensure the safety of passengers, crew, and cargo. Sensors are the unsung heroes of the aerospace industry. These tiny devices play a critical role in keeping aircraft safe, efficient, and on course. From monitoring engine performance to guiding aircraft through the skies, sensors are used to measure a wide range of parameters, including temperature, pressure, altitude, and speed. In fact, modern aircraft can contain thousands of sensors, each working together to ensure that the aircraft is operating at peak performance.
The current blog is about which are the major types of sensors used in aerospace industry
What Is The Need Of Sensors In Aerospace Industry?
Sensors are critical in the aerospace industry as they provide real-time information on various parameters that help monitor, control, and optimize the performance of aircraft. The reasons of using sensors in aerospace industry are:
- Safety
- Performance Optimization
- Predictive maintenance
Sensors Used In Aerospace Industry
There are countless sensors available for various commercial airplanes. It is an excessively vast category, not to mention the numerous models and manufactures of aircraft that span numerous aircraft generations. To create a thorough list, we have filtered these down. This article explores some typical sensors found in aircraft serving a variety of functions.
1.Inertial sensor
Inertial sensors are devices used to measure acceleration, velocity, and orientation of an object. They are commonly used in the aerospace industry for navigation, flight control, and stability control.
Inertial sensors consist of accelerometers and gyroscopes that work together to detect changes in motion and orientation. Accelerometers measure changes in acceleration, while gyroscopes measure changes in angular velocity. By combining data from these sensors, inertial sensors can calculate the position and orientation of an object in three-dimensional space. Especially when other navigation systems like GPS are unavailable or unreliable. Additionally, inertial sensors are used in stability control systems to detect and correct deviations from the desired flight path.
Types
- Accelerometers
- Gyroscopes
- Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs)
- Inertial Navigation Systems (INS)
Price: $10,000 (USD) Onwards
Accelerometer and gyroscope
In the aerospace industry, pressure sensors are used for various purposes such as measuring airspeed, altitude, engine performance, and cabin pressure. Pressure sensors function by measuring the pressure of a fluid and converting it into an electrical signal.
- Absolute pressure sensor
- Differential pressure sensor
- MEMS pressure sensor
- Piezoelectric pressure sensor
Manufacturer: Merit Sensor Systems, Inc., Druck, ESI Technology Ltd
3. Temperature Sensor
In the aerospace industry, temperature sensors are commonly used for a variety of purposes, including engine temperature monitoring, cabin temperature control, and fuel temperature management. Temperature sensors work by measuring the thermal energy of an object or environment and converting it into an electrical signal that can be processed and analysed by an aircraft's onboard systems.
Types
- Thermocouple
- Resistance temperature detectors (RTDs)
- Thermistors
- Infrared (IR) Temperature sensor
Manufacturer: Thermocoax, Minco, Ashcroft, Inc.
4. Proximity Sensor
Without making physical contact, proximity sensors may sense the presence of surrounding items. In the aerospace sector, proximity sensors are employed for a number of tasks, including as obstacle identification, measuring the position of the landing gear, and activating the thrust reverser.
In order to detect changes in the electromagnetic radiation field or beam brought on by adjacent objects, proximity sensors first create a field or beam of electromagnetic radiation.Types
- Inductive proximity sensors
- Capacitive proximity sensors
- Magnetic proximity sensors
- Optical proximity sensors
- Ultrasonic proximity sensor
5. Position Sensor
Measurement of an object's position in space is done via position sensors. Position sensors have a wide range of applications in the aircraft sector, including navigation, positioning of the flight control surface, and actuation of engines and flight controls.
Position sensors function by determining the relative positions of two or more objects using a range of methods, such as electromagnetic, optical, and mechanical ones. Linear and rotary encoders, potentiometers, and magneto-strictive sensors are just a few of the position sensor types that are employed in aerospace applications.
Types
- Linear encoders
- Rotary encoders
- Potentiometer
- Hall effect sensors
Price: $500- $10,000 (USD)
Hall Effect, Potentiometer & Linear encoders
6. Imaging Sensor
Imaging sensors, commonly referred to as cameras, are apparatuses that take in light and transform it into digital images. Imaging sensors are utilised in the aerospace sector for many different things, such as remote sensing, surveillance, and scientific investigation.
Imaging sensors function by capturing light, turning it into electrical signals, and processing those signals to create digital images.
Types
- CCD (charge-coupled device)
- CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor)
- Multispectral and Hyperspectral Sensors
- Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
Manufacturers: Panasonic Corporation, Teledyne Imaging, Teledyne DALSA
Price: 10,000- $500,000 (USD)
CCD (charge-coupled device) & CMOS (complementary metal-oxide- semiconductor)
Blog by Students of,
Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune
Mechanical Department,
- Susmita Waghmare
- Aashish Tupe
- Anushka Turak
- Anurag Warale
- Vrushabh Warke
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