Aircraft experience complex pressure variations during flight, with dramatic pressure fluctuations on the wing surface. Accurate measurement of wing surface pressure distribution is crucial for aircraft structural strength design and aerodynamic performance verification. The pressure scanner is a key component in testing core flight pressure measurement modules, enabling high-precision multi-point pressure testing on the surface of a single-sided lift enhancement device. It integrates a small test array of multiple pressure sensors. Gas is introduced into the pressure scanner via a perforation method, allowing silicon piezoresistive sensors to collect wing surface pressure in real time. It is a vital component in airborne wing surface pressure testing systems.
Research indicates that flight load measurement abroad has shifted from strain methods to pressure distribution measurement. The perforation method, centered on the pressure scanner, is currently a common testing method. The pressure scanner supports simultaneous acquisition from dozens or even hundreds of channels. By creating holes in the test component's surface on the aircraft wing, pressure is introduced into the pressure scanner module. The internal pressure sensor array and signal processing circuitry convert the pressure signals into electrical signals, which are then transmitted to the host computer software, enabling multi-point pressure measurement of the aircraft wing surface and intuitive data visualization.
In related flight tests, researchers found that the calibrated pressure scanner successfully achieved continuous monitoring of multiple measuring points on the wing surface. The pressure distribution curves plotted in real time by the acquisition software clearly showed the wing surface pressure characteristics under different cruise conditions, with good data repeatability, providing highly reliable support for the verification of aircraft aerodynamic performance and structural strength assessment.
KETU&TEST pressure scanners support the interconnection of multiple devices, allowing up to 512 channels for synchronous measurement. The devices achieve a maximum accuracy of ±0.05% FS, with adjustable single-channel sampling rates up to 0–10,080 Hz, and all channels can be acquired simultaneously, making them ideal for airborne wing surface pressure testing.
The pressure scanners feature an integrated base, which can be stably mounted on the test rig. Flexible tubing connects the wing surface pressure ports to the scanner pressure ports, enabling quick and easy setup and significantly improving testing efficiency. In addition, the fully in-house developed Ketusoft acquisition software provides real-time monitoring of inter-channel pressure data, allowing researchers to conveniently export and analyze the measurements.
Looking forward, pressure scanners are expected to evolve towards smaller, smarter, distributed, and wireless designs to meet the complex testing requirements of aircraft. KETU&TEST will continue to pioneer technological breakthroughs, expanding the potential and competitiveness of pressure scanners in advanced manufacturing industries.