Systems and methods for enabling charged (ionized) air mass measurement for reliable air data computation onboard an aircraft. Ionic charge sensing may be used to derive air data having improved reliability. The systems and methods for ionic charge sensing employ an emitter electrode and two or more collector electrodes, which electrodes are disposed in proximity to the exterior skin of the aircraft and exposed to ambient air. The emitter electrode is positioned forward of the collector electrodes. The system further includes a solid-state ionic air data module that converts currents from the collector electrodes into air data parameter values. More specifically, the ionic air data module is configured to sense currents induced in the collector electrodes in response to corona discharge produced by the high-voltage emitter electrode.

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.

A system and method for controlling compressor inlet guide vanes of a gas turbine engine in an aircraft includes supplying, to a compressor inlet guide vane control algorithm, an inlet temperature value that is at least representative of sensed engine inlet total temperature. One or more gas turbine engine parameters are sensed with one or more sensors during operation of the gas turbine engine. The one or more gas turbine engine parameters are processed in the engine control unit to determine an inlet temperature modifier value that is an estimate of a difference between the sensed engine inlet total temperature and actual engine inlet total temperature. The inlet temperature modifier value is added to the inlet temperature value to derive a modified engine inlet total temperature. The modified engine inlet total temperature is used in the compressor inlet guide vane control algorithm, which controls the compressor inlet guide vanes.

A system for correcting an air temperature (AT) reading can include a water content sensor configured to measure a water content in an airflow and to output a water content signal indicative thereof, an AT sensor configured to measure an air temperature and output an AT signal indicative thereof, and a correction module operatively connected to the water content sensor and the AT sensor. The correction module can be configured to receive the water content signal and the AT signal and to correct the AT signal based on the water content to output a corrected AT signal.

An air temperature sensor for use on an aircraft can include a housing defining an interior and having a trailing edge, a temperature sensor having a distal end and located within the interior, a support tube surrounding at least a portion the temperature sensor, an element shroud surrounding at least a portion of support tube, and a bushing isolating the trailing edge of the housing from the distal end of temperature sensor.

A total air temperature (TAT) probe having a self-regulating heating system is provided. A TAT probe housing includes at least one heating cavity that is located proximate to a tip of the TAT probe. A heating element is received within the at least one heating cavity. The heating element is composed from a flexible material with a very high positive temperature coefficient (PTC) that provides non-linear resistance with temperature with generally relatively low electrical resistances at temperatures below freezing and relatively high electrical resistances above freezing. A power source is coupled to the heating element. The very high PTC material of the heating element causes less power to be drawn by the heating element from the power source at higher temperatures above freezing than the power drawn by the heating element from the power source at lower temperatures below freezing to maintain a desired temperature of the TAT probe.

A system and method for controlling compressor inlet guide vanes of a gas turbine engine in an aircraft includes supplying, to a compressor inlet guide vane control algorithm, an inlet temperature value that is at least representative of sensed engine inlet total temperature. One or more gas turbine engine parameters are sensed with one or more sensors during operation of the gas turbine engine. The one or more gas turbine engine parameters are processed in the engine control unit to determine an inlet temperature modifier value that is an estimate of a difference between the sensed engine inlet total temperature and actual engine inlet total temperature. The inlet temperature modifier value is added to the inlet temperature value to derive a modified engine inlet total temperature. The modified engine inlet total temperature is used in the compressor inlet guide vane control algorithm, which controls the compressor inlet guide vanes.

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.

An air data probe includes a probe body including a probe wall. The probe body is formed from a first material by direct energy metal deposition. An insert is positioned in the probe wall. The insert is formed from a second material different from the first material. The insert is encapsulated in the probe wall via the direct energy metal deposition. A method of forming an air data probe includes forming one or more thermally conductive inserts, and encapsulating the one or more inserts into a wall of an air data probe via direct energy metal deposition. The air data probe is formed from a first material and the one or more inserts are formed from a second material different from the first material.

A sensor includes a mount arranged along a sensor axis, an airfoil body fixed to the mount and having a first face and second face extending along the sensor axis, a heater element, and a temperature probe. The heater element and the temperature probe are positioned within the airfoil body and extend axially along the airfoil body. The airfoil body defines within its interior a pressure channel having an inlet segment extending between the heater element and the first face of the airfoil body to prevent ice formation and/or melt ice entrained within air traversing the pressure channel. Gas turbine engines, methods of removing ice or preventing ice formation, and methods of making sensors are also described.