Method of forming an ice resistant pitot tube

Abstract

A method of forming a pitot tube includes forming a substantially cylindrical body portion including an outer surface, a tip portion having an inlet opening and an interior defining a flow passage, radially tapering the outer surface from the body portion toward the inlet opening, and disposing at least one electrical coil including one or more coil wraps along the flow passage of the pitot tube.

1 . A method of forming a pitot tube comprising:
 receiving a pitot tube having a substantially cylindrical body portion including an outer surface, a tip portion having an inlet opening, an interior defining a flow passage, a radially tapering outer surface that tapers from the body portion toward the inlet opening and at least one bulkhead positioned along the flow passage to limit travel of particles ingested into the pitot tube; and   arranging one or more coil wraps along the flow path downstream of the at least one bulkhead.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the radially tapered outer surface has a concave curve. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein arranging the at least one electrical coil includes arranging the one or more coil wraps to establish a variable watt density along the flow path. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: forming at least one drain opening in the substantially cylindrical body portion fluidically connecting the flow path and the outer surface. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein forming the at least one drain opening includes forming the drain opening upstream of the at least one bulkhead. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein forming the at least one drain opening upstream of the aft most bulkhead includes arranging the at least one drain opening directly adjacent the at least one bulkhead.