Feedback protection of pressure measurement devices

1. An apparatus for measuring a pressure of an environment, comprising:

a pressure measuring device coupled to a first end portion of an elongated channel, the elongated channel having an exit aperture spaced apart from the pressure measuring device and coupled to the environment; and

an obstruction detection assembly, including:

a transmitter configured to transmit a transmission signal along the elongated channel;

a receiver configured to receive a reflection signal propagating back along the elongated channel; and

an obstruction detection module operatively coupled to the receiver and being configured to analyze the reflection signal to determine if an obstruction exists in the channel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the obstruction detection module is configured to analyze at least one of a time of propagation of the reflection signal, and a strength of the reflection signal, to determine if an obstruction exists in the channel.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the obstruction detection module includes a processor operatively coupled to a memory device, the processor being configured to compare the reflection signal with a predetermined table stored in the memory device to determine if an obstruction exists in the channel.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the obstruction detection module is operatively coupled to the transmitter, and includes a processor configured to compare the transmission signal to the reflection signal to analyze at least one of a time of propagation of the reflection signal and a strength of the reflection signal, to determine if an obstruction exists in the channel.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pressure measuring device includes at least one of: a Pitot probe; a Pitot static probe; a static port.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the transmission signal and the reflection signal comprise ultrasonic signals.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pressure measurement device is a Pitot static probe having an ambient opening, and further wherein the transmission signal includes an infrared signal aimed at the ambient opening.

8. A method, comprising:

transmitting a transmission signal from inside a pressure measurement device at an ambient opening of the pressure measurement device;

receiving a reflection of the transmission signal; and

using a processor to examine data associated with the transmission signal against data associated with the reflection of the transmission signal to determine if an obstruction exists in the pressure measurement device.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein transmitting comprises bouncing the transmission signal off of at least one inner wall of the pressure measurement device to indirectly transmit the transmission signal towards the ambient opening.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein receiving comprises receiving the reflection of the transmission signal at a same point where the transmission signal was transmitted.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein examining comprises determining a time between transmitting and receiving.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein examining comprises determining a time difference between transmitting and receiving, and calculating a distance traveled by the transmission signal and the reflection of the transmission signal and comparing that distance to a length of the pressure measurement device from where transmitting took place to the ambient opening and from the ambient opening to where receiving took place.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein examining comprises examining the data associated with the transmission signal against the data associated with the reflection of the transmission signal to determine where an obstruction exists, and how much of an inner cross-sectional area of the pressure measurement device the obstruction blocks.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein examining comprises examining the data associated with the transmission signal against the data associated with the reflection of the transmission signal to determine a material composition of an obstruction in the pressure measurement device.

15. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

transmitting a calibration transmission signal from inside the pressure measurement device towards an ambient opening of the pressure measurement device when the pressure measurement device is unobstructed;

receiving a calibration reflection of the transmission signal; and examining data associated with the calibration transmission signal against data associated with the calibration reflection of the transmission signal to determine baseline differences between the data when the pressure measurement device is in an unobstructed state.

16. A method of feedback protection of a pitot static system comprising:

transmitting a transmission signal from inside a pressure measurement device of the pitot static system, at an ambient opening of the pressure measurement device;

receiving a reflection of the transmission signal within a tube of the pitot static system; and

examining data associated with the transmission signal against data associated with the reflection of the transmission signal the tube of the pitot static system to determine if an obstruction exists in the pressure measurement device.

17. A pressure measurement system comprising:

a Pitot probe having an internal passageway that terminates at an ambient opening;

a transmitter and receiver placed within and integrated with the Pitot probe for transmitting acoustic energy toward the ambient opening, detecting reflected energy, and generating a signal representing the detected energy; and

a processor programmed to process the signal to provide feedback about any obstruction in the internal passageway and the ambient opening.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the Pitot probe provides pressure measurements for an aircraft; and wherein an air data computer (ADC) is used to initiate operation of the transmitter and use the feedback to generate in-flight notification as to whether measurements by the Pitot probe are reliable.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the transmitter and receiver are placed in a T-section of the Pitot probe.