Moisture Management of a Pressure Path

Project Background and Design Goal

Collins Aerospace is a worldwide provider for aerospace systems. This project helps solve the buildup of moisture in an air data probe causing inaccurate data. An environmental chamber is being built to simulate hot and humid conditions that replicate real-world conditions. The system will control temperature, humidity, and pressure while also recording the data.

Design Outcomes

To achieve accurate and reliable control over the three environmental condition parameters, five control systems were introduced to a pressure tank containing the desired environment. These systems include a water mister and drain system to control humidity, an electric resistive heater to increase temperature, a liquid nitrogen mister to reduce temperature, a valve connected to pressurized dry nitrogen to increase pressure, and a vacuum pump to reduce pressure.

Design Constraints

• Precise condition control
  o Temp: 10 - 60 ± 3oC
  o Humidity: 95% ± 5% RH
  o Pressure: 3.5 - 30 ± 0.5 psia
• Integratable – environment transferable through tubing to sensors in other environments
• Safe operation – environmental venting must occur at safe rates

Download the project summary (PDF file).