Design of Pitot-Tube Configuration Using CFD Analysis and Optimization Techniques

Accurate measurement of speed and altitude of flying vehicles in air data system remains a critical technical issue. A highly reliable Pitot-static probe is required to obtain air data such as total pressure and static pressure. In this study, an analysis of the characteristics of flowfield around the Pitot-static probe was performed by using a Navier-Stokes CFD code. In addition, for the purpose of finding an optimal configuration, a technique based on the response surface method is applied to the problem with design parameters including shape of the nose section and cone angle. It is shown that the optimal configuration fulfills the MIL specification in wider range of high angles of attack.