GRANTED INVENTION PATENT
Technology Title: Multifunctional Cooled Probe for Measurements and Diagnostics
Inventor:
Magno Pinto Collares (Lattes CV)
Academic Unit: Institute of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics – IMEF
Overview:
This technology uniquely combines two known fluid measurement and diagnostic techniques—the Pitot probe and the enthalpy probe—into a single integrated device. It enables temperature control of the Pitot probe, preventing its openings from becoming blocked by condensation. Additionally, for high-temperature gas flows, the enthalpy probe can more accurately measure the difference between stagnation and static pressures, as well as determine chemical composition at two simultaneous radial positions.
Description:
The probe for fluid measurement and diagnostics is fabricated by machining internal channels into a thick-walled tube to create both cooling passages and measurement conduits.
Problem Solved:
This technology effectively controls the temperature of the Pitot probe. In high-temperature gas applications—such as plasma flows—it enables accurate measurement of local static pressure.
Applications:
This probe serves as the sensing element in Pitot-type measurement systems used to determine fluid flow velocity, such as in wind tunnels and aircraft airspeed indicators, including supersonic regimes. Another key application is in plasma systems—specifically thermal plasma (gas flows with temperatures around 10,000 K) at high velocities, with plasma flows reaching Mach numbers above 0.3 and even exceeding Mach 1.0 (supersonic).
Advantages:
- Ensures measurement stability and safety
- Provides high precision in local static pressure measurements
Patent Status: Granted. PATENT LETTER NO. PI 1106688-1, issued on November 3, 2020.
Technology Readiness Level (TRL): TRL/MRL 2
Abstract: Available at this link.