A multi-point aircraft oil level measurement system and method

Abstract

The application provides a multi-point aircraft oil level measuring system and method, which takes a typical three-tank layout as a design reference and comprises a multi-point oil level sensor, an oil level signal concentrator, an oil level signal processing module and a plurality of signal transmission cables. The multi-point oil level sensor can be used for monitoring and alarming low oil level, high oil level, emergency oil discharge level and ETPOS oil level, and can also be used for monitoring left-right wing imbalance and checking the integrity of the oil quantity measuring system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of fuel system design for civil transport aircraft, and particularly relates to a multi-point aircraft fuel level measurement system and method. Background Technology

[0002] Civil aircraft fuel measurement systems typically include fuel quantity measurement and fuel level measurement. The former measures the amount of fuel stored by mass (to calculate the aircraft's range), while the latter measures the amount by volume. Most mainstream aircraft models currently use traditional fuel level measurement systems, which primarily perform two functions:

[0003] a) High fuel level monitoring is implemented during pressurized refueling. When the fuel level in the tank reaches its maximum, the fuel system triggers a high fuel level alarm and automatically cuts off pressurized refueling. The high fuel level monitoring is primarily designed to prevent overfilling of the fuel tank, avoiding situations where "the stored fuel exceeds the fuel tank's volume capacity limit before reaching the specified maximum fuel mass."

[0004] b) Low fuel level monitoring during flight: when the amount of available fuel in the fuel tank is designed to be lower than the lower limit, the fuel system will trigger a low fuel level alarm to notify the flight crew, so that the crew can take appropriate action and thus ensure flight safety.

[0005] Common design architectures corresponding to the above functions are as follows: Figure 1 As shown, its characteristics are: the fuel level sensor used is usually the same type of sensor as the fuel quantity sensor, or the fuel quantity sensor is directly used as the fuel level measurement. Taking the fuel system of a certain type of aircraft as an example, it uses a capacitive sensor as the fuel quantity sensor, does not have a dedicated high fuel level sensor, and uses some fuel quantity sensors as high fuel level sensors. At the same time, it uses a capacitive sensor as the low fuel level sensor. That is, the fuel quantity sensor, high fuel level sensor, and low fuel level sensor used are all capacitive sensors.

[0006] The oil level measurement system in advanced models has been expanded to accommodate different oil level measurement scenarios and functions:

[0007] a) A certain type of aircraft is equipped with a dedicated ETOPS fuel level sensor, which can be used to monitor the low ETOPS fuel level when the aircraft is performing ETOPS missions, ensuring fuel safety during ETOPS flights.

[0008] b) A certain type of aircraft is equipped with about 20 single-point fuel level sensors for fuel level monitoring. Using the IMA architecture, in addition to monitoring "low fuel level" and "high fuel level", it can also monitor fuel level in scenarios such as "imbalance" and "automatic fuel supply error", and provide integrity checks on the fuel quantity measurement system through the fuel level measurement system.

[0009] However, the current mainstream oil level measurement systems have the following shortcomings:

[0010] a) The oil level sensor is not used for signal acquisition. The oil level sensor used is usually the same type of sensor as the oil quantity sensor or the oil quantity sensor is directly used for oil level measurement. This is easily affected by potential common mode failure sources, causing the oil level signal and oil quantity signal to be incorrect or lost at the same time, which in turn leads to a Class I failure "incorrect fuel quantity indication and loss of low oil level alarm function".

[0011] b) Regarding the "low fuel level alarm," the alarm scenarios, sensor settings, and logic handling considered may not meet all failure scenarios, potentially leading to flight mission failure or dangerous or even catastrophic accidents, such as:

[0012] 1) ETOPS low fuel level warning: Most aircraft models performing ETOPS missions have not considered this scenario, but low fuel level may occur in this scenario, which may cause the risk of not being able to complete the ETOPS flight mission.

[0013] 2) Emergency fuel dump low fuel level alarm: For aircraft with emergency fuel dump capability, there is a scenario of excessive emergency fuel dumping, but this has not been considered, posing a certain risk. Although some aircraft consider avoiding this risk by controlling the installation height of the emergency fuel dump pump (not relying on the measurement system and not requiring manual attention), this method has many limitations (such as the additional emergency fuel dump pump and its installation, power supply control and other related auxiliary equipment totaling at least about 15kg, and the installation of the emergency fuel dump pump must be selected at a certain height, increasing the difficulty of aircraft layout, and there is also the possibility of a single failure leading to failure of emergency fuel dumping, etc.), which is not a mainstream civil aircraft design trend.

[0014] c) An advanced model expands the functionality and application scenarios of the oil level measurement system by adding multiple single-point oil level sensors. However, this architecture leads to an increase in the number of system components (sensors, mounting brackets, and cables, etc.), which in turn increases the system weight, reduces reliability and safety, and increases costs.

[0015] In summary, during the design of the aircraft fuel measurement system architecture, a comparison of the existing design architectures of various mainstream aircraft models reveals that: the current traditional aircraft fuel measurement system architecture mainly focuses on fuel quantity measurement, typically using separate low fuel level sensors and high fuel level sensors for alarms and control cutoff. However, this architecture lacks the technology and design means to address failure scenarios such as ETOPS and emergency fuel dumping. Currently, advanced aircraft models address the problems of traditional designs by adding multiple single-point fuel level sensors, but this architecture leads to an increase in the number of system components (sensors, mounting brackets, and cables, etc.), resulting in increased system weight, reduced reliability and safety, and increased costs.

[0016] Therefore, there is a need for systems and methods that can improve upon the deficiencies in existing technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0017] This summary is provided to introduce, in a simplified form, some concepts that will be further described in the following detailed description section. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to help determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0018] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention proposes a multi-point aircraft fuel level measurement system and method. The multi-point aircraft fuel level measurement system includes a multi-point fuel level sensor, a fuel level signal concentrator, and a fuel level signal processing module. The multi-point fuel level sensor adopts an integrated design and can be used for monitoring and alarming low fuel level, high fuel level, emergency fuel dumping level, and ETPOS level. It can also be used for left and right wing imbalance monitoring and integrity checks of the fuel level measurement system.

[0019] Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, a multi-point aircraft fuel level measurement system is provided, the system comprising:

[0020] The multi-point fuel level sensors, which are symmetrically arranged in the fuel tank relative to the wing, are configured to collect fuel level signals.

[0021] An oil level signal concentrator configured to transmit the oil level signal from the multi-point oil level sensor; and

[0022] The oil level signal processing module is configured to receive the oil level signal transmitted by the oil level signal concentrator and to generate an oil level alarm based on the oil level signal.

[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, the multi-point oil level sensor adopts an integrated design, including integrating multiple sensor points on a single sensor structure, wherein the multiple sensor points include an emergency drain oil level sensor point and an ETOPS oil level sensor point.

[0024] In this embodiment of the invention, the oil level alarm includes an emergency oil drain low oil level alarm, and the oil level signal processing module is further configured to implement the emergency oil drain low oil level alarm through the following operations:

[0025] The location of the emergency oil drain level sensor is determined based on the oil level signal;

[0026] When the emergency drain oil level sensor point is exposed, it is determined that the oil level is at a low level during emergency drain; and

[0027] The pilot was alerted in the cockpit to the emergency low fuel level and given instructions on what to do.

[0028] In this embodiment of the invention, the oil level alarm includes an ETOPS low oil level alarm, and the oil level signal processing module is further configured to implement the ETOPS low oil level alarm by the following operations:

[0029] The oil level signal is used to determine whether the ETOPS oil level sensor location is exposed.

[0030] The ETOPS oil level sensor location is exposed, indicating a low ETOPS oil level; and

[0031] The pilot is alerted in the cockpit to the ETOPS low fuel level warning and prompted to take appropriate action.

[0032] In this embodiment of the invention, the oil level alarm includes a wing oil level imbalance alarm, and the oil level signal processing module is further configured to implement the wing oil level imbalance alarm through the following operations:

[0033] Based on the oil level signal, compare the exposure point number of the multi-point oil level sensor in the left wing oil tank with the exposure point number of the multi-point oil level sensor at a symmetrical position in the right wing oil tank.

[0034] Determine whether the absolute value of the difference between the two exposure point numbers is greater than or equal to a threshold;

[0035] An imbalance in wing oil level is determined if the absolute value of the difference between the two exposure point numbers is greater than or equal to the threshold; and

[0036] The pilot is alerted in the cockpit about the wing oil level imbalance and given instructions to take appropriate action.

[0037] In this embodiment of the invention, the multi-point oil level sensor is a sensor of a different type from the oil quantity sensor in the oil quantity measurement system, and the system is independent and dissimilar to the oil quantity measurement system. Furthermore, when the system and the oil quantity measurement system are started, the oil level signal processing module is further configured to perform an integrity check on the oil quantity measurement system by:

[0038] Interact with the fuel quantity signal processing module of the fuel quantity measurement system to determine whether the difference between the fuel data from the system and the fuel quantity measurement system is within a limit range, wherein being within the limit range indicates a successful integrity check, and not being within the limit range indicates a failed integrity check;

[0039] The results of the integrity check are displayed in the cockpit.

[0040] In one embodiment of the present invention, the multi-point oil level sensor is also used for low oil level and high oil level alarms, and when the multi-point oil level sensor is arranged in the central oil tank, a single multi-point oil level sensor can be used for both low oil level and high oil level alarms simultaneously.

[0041] In one embodiment of the invention, the system further includes a transmission cable for transmitting the oil level signal, and the single sensor structure includes:

[0042] A sensor bracket, used to install and fix the multi-point oil level sensor in the oil tank; and

[0043] Electrical connection terminals are used to connect the sensor signal transmission cable to transmit the oil level signal to the oil level signal concentrator for transmission to the oil level signal processing module.

[0044] In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for multi-point aircraft fuel level measurement is also disclosed, comprising:

[0045] A multi-point oil level sensor collects oil level signals, and the multi-point oil level sensor is arranged symmetrically in the oil tank with respect to the wing;

[0046] The oil level signal concentrator transmits the oil level signal to the oil level signal processing module; and

[0047] The oil level signal processing module receives the oil level signal and generates an oil level alarm based on the oil level signal.

[0048] In one embodiment of the present invention, the multi-point oil level sensor includes multiple sensor points, and the multiple sensor points include an emergency drain oil level sensor point and an ETOPS oil level sensor point.

[0049] In this embodiment of the present invention, the oil level alarm based on the oil level signal further includes:

[0050] The location of the emergency oil drain level sensor is determined based on the oil level signal.

[0051] When the emergency drain oil level sensor point is exposed, it is determined that the oil level is at a low level during emergency drain; and

[0052] The pilot was alerted in the cockpit to the emergency low fuel level and given instructions on what to do.

[0053] In this embodiment of the present invention, the oil level alarm based on the oil level signal further includes:

[0054] The oil level signal is used to determine whether the ETOPS oil level sensor point is exposed.

[0055] The ETOPS oil level sensor location is exposed, indicating a low ETOPS oil level; and

[0056] The pilot is alerted in the cockpit to the ETOPS low fuel level warning and prompted to take appropriate action.

[0057] In this embodiment of the present invention, the oil level alarm based on the oil level signal further includes:

[0058] The exposure point numbers of the multi-point oil level sensors in the left wing oil tank and the exposure point numbers of the multi-point oil level sensors at symmetrical positions in the right wing oil tank are compared based on the oil level signal.

[0059] Determine whether the absolute value of the difference between the two exposure point numbers is greater than or equal to the threshold;

[0060] An imbalance in wing oil level is determined if the absolute value of the difference between the two exposure point numbers is greater than or equal to the threshold; and

[0061] The pilot is alerted in the cockpit about the wing oil level imbalance and given instructions to take appropriate action.

[0062] In this embodiment of the invention, the multi-point oil level sensor is a sensor of a different type from the oil quantity sensor in the oil quantity measurement system and is included in the oil level measurement system, and the oil level measurement system is independent and dissimilar to the oil quantity measurement system, and the method further includes:

[0063] Start the oil level measurement system and the oil quantity measurement system;

[0064] The fuel level signal processing module interacts with the fuel quantity signal processing module in the fuel quantity measurement system to determine whether the difference between the fuel data from the system and the fuel quantity measurement system is within a defined range, wherein being within the defined range indicates a successful integrity check, and being outside the defined range indicates a failed integrity check; and

[0065] The results of the integrity check are displayed in the cockpit.

[0066] Other aspects, features, and embodiments of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the following description of specific exemplary embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Although features of the invention may be discussed below with reference to certain embodiments and drawings, all embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the advantageous features discussed herein. In other words, while one or more embodiments may be discussed having certain advantageous features, one or more of such features may also be used according to the various embodiments of the invention discussed herein. Similarly, although exemplary embodiments may be discussed below as embodiments of devices, systems, or methods, it should be understood that such exemplary embodiments may be implemented in various devices, systems, and methods. Attached Figure Description

[0067] To gain a more detailed understanding of the features described above in this disclosure, reference can be made to a more specific description of the above-briefly summarized aspects, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that the drawings illustrate only certain typical aspects of this disclosure and should not be considered as limiting its scope, as other equivalent aspects are permissible in this description.

[0068] Figure 1 This illustrates a common design architecture for civil aircraft fuel measurement systems.

[0069] Figure 2 The design architecture of an oil level measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0070] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of multi-point oil level sensors according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-point oil level sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, and an exemplary ten-point oil level sensor.

[0072] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an emergency oil drain low oil level alarm process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the ETOPS low oil level alarm process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a wing oil level imbalance alarm process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the integrity check process of an oil quantity measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0076] Figure 9 A flowchart of a multi-point aircraft fuel level measurement method according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0077] The various embodiments will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this invention and illustrate specific exemplary embodiments. However, the embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of these embodiments to those skilled in the art. The embodiments may be implemented as methods, systems, or devices. Therefore, these embodiments may be implemented in hardware, entirely in software, or in a combination of software and hardware aspects. Therefore, the following detailed description is not intended to be limiting.

[0078] The steps in each flowchart can be performed by hardware (e.g., processor, engine, memory, circuitry), software (e.g., operating system, application, driver, machine / processor executable instructions), or a combination thereof. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the methods involved in each embodiment may include more or fewer steps than shown.

[0079] This invention proposes a multi-point aircraft fuel level sensor, its fuel level measurement system, and a method thereof. The measurement system is designed based on a typical three-tank layout and includes a multi-point fuel level sensor, a fuel level signal concentrator, a fuel level signal processing module, and several signal transmission cables, and is symmetrically designed and arranged relative to the left and right wing fuel tanks. If the number of wing fuel tanks increases (or the number of tanks in the center wing decreases), the corresponding fuel tank equipment can be added (or removed) by analogy.

[0080] The various aspects of the present invention will be described in detail below. The design architecture of the oil level measurement system of the present invention will be referred to below. Figure 2 describe.

[0081] Figure 2 The design architecture of an oil level measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 As shown, the multi-point aircraft fuel level measurement system of the present invention includes a multi-point fuel level sensor 202, a fuel level signal concentrator 204, and a fuel level signal processing module 206. In one embodiment of the present invention, a signal transmission cable may also be arranged between the multi-point fuel level sensor 202 and the fuel level signal concentrator 204. Fuel level signal acquisition relies on the multi-point fuel level sensor 202, fuel level signal transmission relies on the fuel level signal concentrator 204 and the transmission cable, and fuel level signal processing relies on the fuel level signal processing module 206 (this module can be an independent processor or a processing module residing on the IMA platform).

[0082] In one embodiment of the invention, (several) multi-point fuel level sensors 202 are symmetrically arranged in the fuel tanks relative to the wings (e.g., symmetrically arranged in the left and right wing fuel tanks and optionally in the center fuel tank) to collect fuel level signals from the respective tanks and transmit the collected fuel level signals to the fuel level signal processing module 206 via a fuel level signal concentrator 204. In one embodiment of the invention, the fuel level signal processing module 206 implements the following new functions (compared to the prior art) based on the received fuel level signals: emergency fuel dump low fuel level alarm, ETOPS low fuel level alarm, wing fuel level imbalance alarm, and integrity check of the fuel quantity measurement system.

[0083] Therefore, the new functions achieved by the multi-point aircraft fuel level measurement system of the present invention can meet various fuel level measurement needs and fuel measurement system integrity requirements. The present invention is designed for the above-mentioned new functions and newly captured scenarios and applied to the aircraft fuel measurement system architecture.

[0084] like Figure 2 As shown, the shaded area represents an oil quantity measurement system that differs from the oil level measurement system in this invention. This oil quantity measurement system includes an oil quantity sensor, an oil quantity signal concentrator, and an oil quantity signal processing module, respectively corresponding to the multi-point oil level sensor 202, the oil level signal concentrator 204, and the oil level signal processing module 206 of this invention.

[0085] In one embodiment of the present invention, the multi-point aircraft fuel level measurement system of the present invention employs an independent and dissimilar measurement design compared to the fuel level measurement system. Specifically, the multi-point fuel level sensor 202 of the present invention adopts a different design, type, and testing principle than the fuel level sensor in the fuel measurement system. In another embodiment of the present invention, if the fuel level sensor uses a certain type of sensor (e.g., a capacitive sensor), then the multi-point fuel level sensor in the present invention can use a sensor of a different type than the fuel level sensor (including but not limited to point-type piezoelectric sensors, ultrasonic sensors, etc.). In other embodiments of the present invention, the multi-point fuel level sensor in the present invention can be any other suitable type of sensor, and the fuel level sensor can be any other suitable type of sensor, as long as the sensor types of the two are different. This independent and dissimilar design can effectively avoid common-mode failure at the signal acquisition end, improve the safety and reliability of the fuel system, help reduce aircraft safety hazards, and demonstrate compliance with CCAR / FAR / CS25.1309. The arrangement of the multi-point fuel level sensor 202 in the present invention is referred to below. Figure 3 To describe.

[0086] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of multi-point oil level sensors according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3As shown in the top image:

[0087] a) Two multi-point fuel level sensors are installed in each wing fuel tank; and

[0088] b) Install two multi-point oil level sensors in the central oil tank.

[0089] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, Figure 2 The number and location of the multi-point fuel level sensors shown are merely exemplary and not limiting. In other embodiments of the invention, any suitable number of multi-point fuel level sensors located in any suitable symmetrical position can be used. In other words, the number of sensors for each wing fuel tank and center fuel tank can be adjusted according to factors such as tank size and layout, but left-right symmetry must be ensured.

[0090] In one embodiment of the invention, the multi-point oil level sensor may be such as a ten-point oil level sensor; however, those skilled in the art will understand that an oil level sensor with any suitable number of points may also be used, and it is not limited to the aforementioned ten-point oil level sensor. In this embodiment, the ten-point oil level sensor may be symmetrically arranged in the left and right wings and optionally in the central oil tank, as in... Figure 3 As shown in the lower part of the diagram.

[0091] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-point oil level sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, and an exemplary ten-point oil level sensor.

[0092] like Figure 4 As shown in the left figure, the multi-point fuel level sensor of this invention adopts an integrated design and can be used for low fuel level, high fuel level, emergency fuel drain level, and ETPOS fuel level monitoring (the specific configuration varies depending on the fuel tank and its placement). It can also be used for left-right wing imbalance monitoring and integrity checks. This integrated structure ensures the realization of multiple fuel system functions while reducing the number of fuel level sensors in the fuel tank, thus reducing weight and cost, and improving reliability and safety.

[0093] like Figure 4As shown in the left-hand diagram, 1, 2, and 3 are sensor brackets used to install and fix the sensors in the fuel tank. The number of brackets can be adjusted according to the length and size of the sensors. 4 is an electrical connection terminal, connecting the cable inside the fuel tank to transmit the fuel level signal to the processing components outside the fuel tank. Specifically, this electrical connection terminal connects to the transmission cable used to transmit the sensor signal to the fuel level signal concentrator for transmission to the fuel level signal processing module. In this design, multiple sensors can share the excitation circuit to reduce the number of cables. 5, 6, and 7 are fuel level sensors at a specific point and their mounting brackets; here, a three-point fuel level sensor is shown. This multi-point fuel level sensor can also realize low and high fuel level alarms. Unlike traditional designs, when this multi-point sensor is not located in the central fuel tank, a single sensor can simultaneously perform both low and high fuel level alarm functions.

[0094] The number of points can be further increased depending on functional, reliability, and integrity requirements. For example... Figure 4 As shown in the right-hand figure, a ten-point oil level sensor can be used to implement the various functional logics implemented by the oil level signal processing module in this invention. As those skilled in the art will understand, this ten-point oil level sensor is merely exemplary and not limiting; in other embodiments of this invention, an integrated oil level sensor with any suitable number of points can also be used.

[0095] Specifically, in Figure 4 In the right-hand diagram, points L5 to L8 are not shown for simplicity. As an example and not a limitation, point L1 is the emergency drain oil level sensor, and point L2 is the ETOPS oil level sensor. 10 The points are used together for wing fuel level imbalance monitoring and fuel measurement system integrity checks, which will be described in more detail below.

[0096] The aforementioned integrated sensor structure design reduces the types and quantities of accessories required for sensor installation, which helps to reduce aircraft weight, lower manufacturing costs, reduce the types and quantities of spare parts (sensors, cables, and brackets) in line operations, lower line maintenance costs, and improve system safety and reliability.

[0097] The following will describe in detail the various new functional logics involved in this invention.

[0098] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an emergency low oil level alarm process according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, the emergency low oil level alarm can be generated by... Figure 2 The oil level signal processing module 206 shown is used to execute this.

[0099] The process begins at step 502. In step 502, the multi-point aircraft fuel level measurement system is activated. After activation, the fuel level measurement system begins operation.

[0100] In step 504, the oil level signal processing module determines whether the emergency drain oil level sensor location is exposed based on the oil level signal. In one embodiment of the present invention, and by way of example rather than limitation, the emergency drain oil level sensor location is... Figure 4 Point L1 in the right-hand diagram.

[0101] If decision box 504 determines that the emergency drain oil level sensor point has been exposed, the process continues to step 506. In step 506, the oil level signal processing module determines that the emergency drain oil level is low, that is, determines that the oil level is lower than the emergency drain oil low point point.

[0102] Subsequently, in step 508, an emergency low fuel level warning is issued to the pilots in the cockpit, and finally, in step 510, the pilots are reminded to take appropriate action. This includes instructing the crew to manually shut down the emergency fuel jet system to ensure flight safety.

[0103] The process ends after step 510.

[0104] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the ETOPS low oil level alarm process according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, the ETOPS low oil level alarm can be generated by... Figure 2 The oil level signal processing module 206 shown is used to execute this.

[0105] The process begins at step 602. In step 602, the multi-point aircraft fuel level measurement system is activated. After activation, the fuel level measurement system begins operation.

[0106] In step 604, the oil level signal processing module determines whether the ETOPS oil level sensor location is exposed. In one embodiment of the present invention, and by way of example and not limitation, the ETOPS oil level sensor location is... Figure 4 Point L2 in the right-hand diagram.

[0107] If decision box 604 determines that the ETOPS oil level sensor point has been exposed, the process continues to step 606. In step 606, the oil level signal processing module determines that the oil level is at a low ETOPS level, that is, determines that the oil level is lower than the ETOPS low oil level point.

[0108] Subsequently, in step 608, an ETOPS low fuel level warning is issued to the pilots in the cockpit, and finally, in step 610, the pilots are reminded to take appropriate action. This reminder includes informing the crew that the time allotted for flight, approach, and landing has expired and the flight mission must be terminated as soon as possible.

[0109] The process ends after step 610.

[0110] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a wing oil level imbalance alarm process according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, the wing oil level imbalance alarm can be generated by... Figure 2 The oil level signal processing module shown is used to perform this operation.

[0111] The process begins at step 702. In step 702, the oil level signal is acquired by a multi-point oil level sensor. This multi-point oil level sensor can be... Figure 2 The multi-point oil level sensor 202.

[0112] In step 704, the oil level signal is received by the oil level signal processing module. This oil level signal processing module can be... Figure 2 The oil level signal processing module 206 in the middle.

[0113] In step 706, the oil level signal processing module compares the exposure point number of the multi-point oil level sensor in the left wing oil tank with the exposure point number of the multi-point oil level sensor at a symmetrical position in the right wing oil tank. Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, it can be assumed that the exposure point number of the multi-point oil level sensor in the left wing oil tank is exposure point L. n In the context of n, and the exposure point number of the multi-point fuel level sensor in the right-wing fuel tank can be the exposure point L. m m in the figure. As those skilled in the art will understand, the exposure point can be... Figure 4 Any point shown in the right-hand diagram, but not limited to Figure 4 The points shown.

[0114] In step 708, it is determined whether the absolute value of the difference between the two exposure point numbers is greater than or equal to a threshold. In one embodiment of the invention, this threshold can be 1 or any other suitable value. As those skilled in the art will understand, m, n, and the threshold can be determined based on the specific parameters of the fuel tank and the environment.

[0115] If decision box 708 determines that the absolute value of the difference between the two exposure point numbers is greater than or equal to the threshold, the process continues to step 710. In step 710, an imbalance in wing oil levels is determined. In one embodiment of the invention, this determination is made by the oil level signal processing module.

[0116] Finally, in step 712, the pilot is alerted in the cockpit about the wing oil level imbalance and is reminded to take appropriate action.

[0117] After step 712, the process ends.

[0118] Figure 8This is a schematic diagram of the integrity check process of an oil quantity measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, the integrity check of the oil quantity measurement system can be performed by, for example... Figure 2 The oil level signal processing module shown interacts with the oil quantity signal processing module in the oil quantity measurement system to complete this task.

[0119] The process begins at step 802. In step 802, the multi-point aircraft fuel level measurement system and the fuel quantity measurement system are activated. The multi-point aircraft fuel level measurement system may include... Figure 2 The system includes a multi-point oil level sensor 202, an oil level signal concentrator 204, and an oil level signal processing module 206. This oil quantity measurement system may include... Figure 2 The system includes a fuel level sensor, a fuel level signal concentrator, and a fuel level signal processing module.

[0120] In step 804, the fuel level signal processing module is interconnected or interacts with the fuel quantity signal processing module in the fuel quantity measurement system. In another embodiment of the invention, the fuel level signal processing module is interconnected with the fuel measurement management computer, and the interconnection includes the fuel level signal processing module sending the fuel level sensor status to the fuel measurement management computer.

[0121] In step 806, it is determined whether the difference between the fuel data from the multi-point aircraft fuel level measurement system and the fuel quantity measurement system is within a limit range. This limit range can be set by those skilled in the art as needed, and is not limited to any specific range. In one embodiment of the invention, when the fuel level reaches point L of the multi-point fuel level sensor... n At this time, the fuel level signal processing module sends the fuel level status to the fuel measurement and management computer or fuel quantity signal processing module. The fuel measurement and management computer or fuel quantity signal processing module then compares the received fuel level data with its own fuel quantity data to calculate the difference.

[0122] If decision box 806 determines that the area is within the restricted range, the process continues to step 808, and the integrity check is successful. If decision box 806 determines that the area is not within the restricted range, the process continues to step 810, and the integrity check fails.

[0123] Finally, in step 812, the results of the integrity check are displayed in the cockpit.

[0124] The process ends after step 812.

[0125] Figure 9 A flowchart of a multi-point aircraft fuel level measurement method according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0126] In step 902, a multi-point fuel level sensor acquires fuel level signals. This multi-point fuel level sensor is symmetrically arranged in the fuel tank relative to the wing. In one embodiment of the invention, the multi-point fuel level sensor adopts an integrated design and includes multiple sensor points, and these multiple sensor points include at least an emergency fuel draining fuel level sensor point and an ETOPS fuel level sensor point.

[0127] In step 904, the oil level signal concentrator transmits the oil level signal to the oil level signal processing module. In one embodiment of the present invention, the multi-point oil level sensor, the oil level signal concentrator, and the oil level signal processing module are connected by a transmission cable for transmitting sensor signals.

[0128] In step 906, the oil level signal processing module receives the oil level signal and performs an oil level alarm based on the oil level signal.

[0129] In one embodiment of the present invention, the fuel level alarm based on the fuel level signal further includes: determining whether the emergency fuel level sensor point is exposed based on the fuel level signal; determining that the emergency fuel level sensor point is exposed when the emergency fuel level sensor point is exposed; and issuing the emergency fuel level alarm to the pilot in the cockpit and reminding him to take action.

[0130] In another embodiment of the present invention, the fuel level alarm based on the fuel level signal further includes: determining whether the ETOPS fuel level sensor point is exposed based on the fuel level signal; determining that the ETOPS fuel level is low if the ETOPS fuel level sensor point is exposed; and issuing the ETOPS low fuel level alarm to the pilot in the cockpit and reminding him to take action.

[0131] In another embodiment of the present invention, the fuel level alarm based on the fuel level signal further includes: comparing the exposure point numbers of the multi-point fuel level sensors in the left wing fuel tank and the exposure point numbers of the multi-point fuel level sensors at symmetrical positions in the right wing fuel tank according to the fuel level signal; determining whether the absolute value of the difference between the two exposure point numbers is greater than or equal to a threshold; determining that the wing fuel level is unbalanced if the absolute value of the difference between the two exposure point numbers is greater than or equal to the threshold; and issuing a wing fuel level imbalance alarm to the pilot in the cockpit and reminding him to take action.

[0132] In another embodiment of the invention, the point-based oil level sensor in the invention is a sensor of a different type from the oil quantity sensor in the oil quantity measurement system and is included in the oil level measurement system; furthermore, the oil level measurement system in the invention is independent and dissimilar to the oil quantity measurement system. Figure 9The method further includes: activating the fuel level measurement system and the fuel quantity measurement system; the fuel level signal processing module interacting with the fuel quantity signal processing module in the fuel quantity measurement system to determine whether the difference between fuel data from the system and the fuel quantity measurement system is within a defined range, wherein being within the defined range indicates a successful integrity check, and being outside the defined range indicates a failed integrity check; and displaying the result of the integrity check in the cockpit.

[0133] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to block diagrams and / or operational descriptions of methods, systems, and computer program products according to embodiments of the present invention. The functions / actions indicated in the blocks may appear in a different order than shown in any flowchart. For example, depending on the functions / actions involved, two blocks shown consecutively may actually be executed substantially simultaneously, or these blocks may sometimes be executed in reverse order.

[0134] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A system for multi-point aircraft fuel level measurement, the system comprising: In contrast to the multi-point fuel level sensors symmetrically arranged in the fuel tank on the wing, it is configured to collect fuel level signals and adopts an integrated design, including integrating multiple sensor points into a single sensor structure. An oil level signal concentrator is configured to transmit the oil level signal from the multi-point oil level sensor; as well as The oil level signal processing module is configured to receive the oil level signal transmitted by the oil level signal concentrator and to generate an oil level alarm based on the oil level signal. The multi-point oil level sensor is a different type of sensor from the oil quantity sensor in the oil quantity measurement system, and the system is independent and dissimilar to the oil quantity measurement system. Furthermore, when the system and the oil quantity measurement system are started, the oil level signal processing module is further configured to perform an integrity check on the oil quantity measurement system by: The system interacts with the fuel quantity signal processing module in the fuel quantity measurement system to determine whether the difference between the fuel data from the system and the fuel quantity measurement system is within a limit range, where being within the limit range indicates a successful integrity check, and being outside the limit range indicates a failed integrity check.

2. The system as described in claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensor locations include an emergency drain oil level sensor location and an ETOPS oil level sensor location.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the oil level alarm includes an emergency low oil level alarm, and the oil level signal processing module is further configured to implement the emergency low oil level alarm by the following operations: The location of the emergency oil drain level sensor is determined based on the oil level signal; When the emergency drain oil level sensor point is exposed, it is determined that the oil level is at a low level during emergency drain; and The pilot was alerted in the cockpit to the emergency low fuel level and given instructions on what to do.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the oil level alarm includes an ETOPS low oil level alarm, and the oil level signal processing module is further configured to implement the ETOPS low oil level alarm by: The oil level signal is used to determine whether the ETOPS oil level sensor location is exposed. The ETOPS oil level sensor location is exposed, indicating a low ETOPS oil level; and The pilot is alerted in the cockpit to the ETOPS low fuel level warning and prompted to take appropriate action.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the oil level alarm includes a wing oil level imbalance alarm, and the oil level signal processing module is further configured to implement the wing oil level imbalance alarm by: Based on the oil level signal, compare the exposure point number of the multi-point oil level sensor in the left wing oil tank with the exposure point number of the multi-point oil level sensor at a symmetrical position in the right wing oil tank. Determine whether the absolute value of the difference between the two exposure point numbers is greater than or equal to a threshold; An imbalance in wing oil level is determined if the absolute value of the difference between the two exposure point numbers is greater than or equal to the threshold. as well as The pilot is alerted in the cockpit about the wing oil level imbalance and given instructions to take appropriate action.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the results of the integrity check are displayed in the cockpit.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the multi-point oil level sensor is further used for low oil level and high oil level alarms, and when the multi-point oil level sensor is arranged in the central oil tank, a single multi-point oil level sensor can be used for both low oil level and high oil level alarms simultaneously.

8. The system of claim 2, further comprising a transmission cable for transmitting the oil level signal, and the single sensor structure comprising: A sensor bracket is used to install and fix the multi-point oil level sensor in the oil tank; as well as Electrical connection terminals are used to connect the sensor signal transmission cable to transmit the oil level signal to the oil level signal concentrator for transmission to the oil level signal processing module.

9. A method for multi-point aircraft fuel level measurement, comprising: A multi-point oil level sensor collects oil level signals. The multi-point oil level sensor is symmetrically arranged in the oil tank with respect to the wing. The multi-point oil level sensor includes multiple sensor points and adopts an integrated design, including integrating the multiple sensor points on a single sensor structure. The oil level signal concentrator transmits the oil level signal to the oil level signal processing module; and The oil level signal processing module receives the oil level signal and generates an oil level alarm based on the oil level signal. The multi-point oil level sensor is a sensor of a different type from the oil quantity sensor in the oil quantity measurement system and is included in the oil level measurement system, and the oil level measurement system is independent and dissimilar to the oil quantity measurement system, and the method further includes: Start the oil level measurement system and the oil quantity measurement system; and The fuel level signal processing module interacts with the fuel quantity signal processing module in the fuel quantity measurement system to determine whether the difference between the fuel data from the system and the fuel quantity measurement system is within a defined range, wherein being within the defined range indicates a successful integrity check, and being outside the defined range indicates a failed integrity check.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of sensor locations include an emergency drain oil level sensor location and an ETOPS oil level sensor location.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein generating an oil level alarm based on the oil level signal further comprises: The location of the emergency oil drain level sensor is determined based on the oil level signal. When the emergency oil level sensor is exposed, it is determined that the oil level is at a low level during emergency oil draining. as well as The pilot was alerted in the cockpit to the emergency low fuel level and given instructions on what to do.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein generating an oil level alarm based on the oil level signal further comprises: The oil level signal is used to determine whether the ETOPS oil level sensor point is exposed. When the ETOPS oil level sensor point is exposed, it is determined that the ETOPS oil level is low. as well as The pilot is alerted in the cockpit to the ETOPS low fuel level warning and prompted to take appropriate action.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein generating an oil level alarm based on the oil level signal further comprises: The exposure point numbers of the multi-point oil level sensors in the left wing oil tank and the exposure point numbers of the multi-point oil level sensors at symmetrical positions in the right wing oil tank are compared based on the oil level signal. Determine whether the absolute value of the difference between the two exposure point numbers is greater than or equal to the threshold; An imbalance in wing oil level is determined if the absolute value of the difference between the two exposure point numbers is greater than or equal to the threshold. as well as The pilot is alerted in the cockpit about the wing oil level imbalance and given instructions to take appropriate action.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the result of the integrity check is displayed in the cockpit.

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