Airborne fuel consumption meter tester and test method

Abstract

This invention proposes an airborne fuel consumption meter tester and test method. The tester includes a 27V regulated power supply, a pulse counter, a micro voltmeter, a micro ammeter, a 5V regulated power supply, an air filling device, and a control panel. This invention addresses the testing requirements of fuel consumption meters for two-seat aircraft. By simulating fuel delivery on an aircraft, the impeller of the fuel consumption sensor inside the meter rotates, activating a reed switch, connecting the circuit, and supplying a voltage signal to the fuel consumption indicators in the front and rear cabins. This causes the relays inside the fuel consumption indicators to activate, thus moving the pointers of the fuel consumption indicators. Compared to the original inspection method, which requires multiple checks of the front and rear cabin fuel consumption indicators and the fuel consumption sensor on different testers, this invention can complete all the required performance tests for the entire fuel consumption meter through a single, integrated test, saving testing time and avoiding the need for repeated disassembly and reassembly and secondary failures caused by large discrepancies between the front and rear cabin indicators during pre-flight refueling and fuel consumption tests.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aircraft maintenance technology, specifically to an airborne fuel consumption meter tester and test method. Background Technology

[0002] Fuel consumption gauges are commonly used indicators in the transportation industry, including automobiles, ships, and airplanes. As an engine instrument, the fuel consumption gauge provides the driver with information on the rate of fuel consumption and the amount of fuel remaining. The fuel consumption gauge uses a consumption sensor to convert digital quantities into analog quantities, that is, to convert fuel consumption into a voltage signal. The consumption sensor records the flow rate of fuel as it passes through and transmits the voltage signal to the consumption indicator, which then provides the driver with information on the amount of fuel consumed and the amount remaining.

[0003] For a certain two-seat aircraft, both the front and rear cabins need to display fuel consumption. Currently, during field maintenance and testing, there is no dedicated testing equipment to perform matching tests on the fuel consumption gauges for this aircraft type. The current testing method involves separately testing the sensors and the indicators in the front and rear cabins, using independent instruments and equipment. However, even after using this traditional testing method, inconsistencies and excessive discrepancies in fuel consumption indications between the front and rear cabins frequently occur when refueling and fuel consumption sequences are performed before test flights. This necessitates readjusting individual components and retesting various parameters based on the discrepancies observed on the aircraft. This not only affects the production cycle but also leads to secondary malfunctions due to repeated disassembly and reassembly of equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the problem of inconsistent fuel consumption readings between the front and rear cabins due to the lack of dedicated testing equipment for existing two-seat aircraft fuel consumption gauges, this invention proposes an airborne fuel consumption gauge tester and testing method to achieve effective testing of fuel consumption gauges for two-seat aircraft.

[0005] The technical solution of this invention is as follows:

[0006] The aforementioned airborne fuel consumption meter tester includes a 27V regulated power supply, a pulse counter, a micro voltmeter, a micro ammeter, a 5V regulated power supply, an inflation device, and a control panel.

[0007] The positive terminal of the 27V regulated power supply is connected to the first port of the front cabin consumption indicator and the rear cabin consumption indicator via a micro ammeter; the negative terminal of the 27V regulated power supply is connected to the second port of the consumption sensor via a pulse counter.

[0008] The first port of the consumption sensor is connected to the second ports of the front cabin consumption indicator and the rear cabin consumption indicator.

[0009] The 5V regulated power supply is connected to the micro voltmeter and the fourth and fifth ports of the rear cabin consumption indicator via a selector switch; a potentiometer is also connected between the wire-wound resistors of the fourth and fifth ports of the rear cabin consumption indicator.

[0010] The panel has a 27V regulated power supply switch and voltage display, micro voltmeter and micro ammeter display, potentiometer display, pulse count display, pulse counter reset and pause buttons, pulse counter switch, 5V regulated power supply switch and selection switch;

[0011] The inflation device is connected to the consumption sensor; the inflation device can generate gas to simulate oil passing through the consumption sensor, which connects the actuator between the first and second ports of the consumption sensor to form a pulse signal, which is counted on the pulse counter. At the same time, the actuator between the first and second ports of the consumption indicator receives a voltage signal, which can drive the pointer of the consumption indicator to move.

[0012] Furthermore, the actuators between the first and second ports of the consumption sensor are an impeller, a magnet, and a reed switch; the gas generated by the inflation device causes the impeller inside the consumption sensor to rotate, which in turn drives the magnet to rotate, activating the reed switch inside the consumption sensor at a set position to form a pulse signal.

[0013] Furthermore, the greater the gas flow rate generated by the aeration device, the faster the simulated oil flows through the consumption sensor. By controlling the gas flow rate, the impeller inside the consumption sensor is made to rotate.

[0014] Furthermore, the actuator between the first and second ports of the consumption indicator is a pulse relay, a pawl, and a ratchet; when the actuator between the first and second ports of the consumption sensor is turned on, the consumption indicator receives a voltage signal, the pulse relay attracts the armature to make the pawl rotate the ratchet, and the ratchet drives the pointer to move.

[0015] The method for testing the airborne fuel consumption meter using the above-mentioned device includes testing the rated operating voltage, power consumption, permissible error, and uniformity.

[0016] The rated operating voltage test process is as follows: Using the 27V regulated power supply voltage display on the panel, adjust the output voltage of the 27V regulated power supply to the rated operating voltage of 27V±2.7V. Then, use the inflation device to connect the actuator between the first and second ports of the consumption sensor, generating a pulse signal. Simultaneously observe the pointers of the front and rear compartment consumption indicators. If both pointers move one step while the pulse counter is counting, it indicates that the front and rear compartment consumption indicators are correctly connected to the consumption sensor, and the test set is successfully matched. If the front compartment consumption indicator moves but the rear compartment consumption indicator does not, it indicates that the rear compartment consumption indicator is faulty and needs to be repaired. If the rear compartment consumption indicator moves but the front compartment consumption indicator does not, it indicates that the front compartment consumption indicator is faulty and needs to be repaired. If neither the front nor rear compartment consumption indicator moves, check the actuator between the first and second ports of the consumption sensor for troubleshooting.

[0017] The power consumption test process is as follows: while performing the rated working voltage test, the power consumption is read from the moment of connection using a micro ammeter. The power consumption is calculated using the power consumption and the working voltage. If the calculated power consumption also meets the requirements after the tester is successfully matched, the power consumption test is considered to be qualified.

[0018] The permissible error test process is as follows: After the tester is successfully matched, the working voltage is kept constant. The actuator between the first and second ports of the consumption sensor is connected by the inflation device to form a pulse signal. The pointers of the front and rear cabin consumption indicators move. When the pointer of one consumption indicator moves to 0, the working voltage is cut off and the number of pulses n1 on the pulse counter is recorded. Then the 27V regulated power supply is turned on. When the pointer of the other consumption indicator moves to 0, the number of pulses n2 on the pulse counter is recorded again. The difference between n2 and n1 is used to determine whether the permissible error requirement is met.

[0019] The uniformity test process is as follows: Connect the 5V regulated power supply to the micro voltmeter via a selector switch. According to the micro voltmeter indication, adjust the 5V regulated power supply output reference voltage to 5.00±0.005V. Then, connect the 5V regulated power supply between the fourth and fifth ports of the rear cabin consumption indicator via the selector switch. Keeping the operating voltage constant, use the inflation device to connect the actuator between the first and second ports of the consumption sensor to generate a pulse signal, causing the pointer of the rear cabin consumption indicator to move to 0. Observe whether the difference between the potentiometer output voltage value and the required value at multiple set pointer positions during the process of the pointer of the rear cabin consumption indicator moving to 0 meets the requirements.

[0020] Furthermore, when conducting power consumption tests, the current consumption value is taken as the average value of multiple current readings.

[0021] Beneficial effects

[0022] The fuel consumption meter tester provided by this invention is reasonably designed, simple to operate, and effectively improves work efficiency, reducing secondary failures caused by repeated disassembly and reassembly due to inconsistent fuel consumption indications between the front and rear compartments.

[0023] The original inspection method required multiple inspections of the fuel consumption indicators and sensors in the front and rear cabins on different testers. However, with the adoption of this invention, the required performance tests for the entire fuel consumption meter can be completed through the matching tests, saving test time. Most importantly, it avoids the need for repeated disassembly and reassembly, repair and debugging caused by large discrepancies between the front and rear cabin indicators during refueling and fuel consumption tests before flight, which would lead to serious delays and secondary failures.

[0024] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a circuit diagram of the fuel consumption meter tester of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a panel view of the fuel consumption meter tester of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a connection diagram for the fuel consumption meter detection of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. These embodiments are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0030] The fuel consumption meter tester in this embodiment is designed for the testing requirements of fuel consumption meters in two-seat aircraft. By simulating fuel delivery on an aircraft, the impeller of the consumption sensor inside the fuel consumption meter rotates, the reed switch is activated, the circuit is connected, and a voltage signal is supplied to the consumption indicators in the front and rear cabins. This causes the relay inside the consumption indicator to activate, and then drives the pointer of the consumption indicator to move.

[0031] Specifically, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the airborne fuel consumption meter tester includes a 27V regulated power supply, a pulse counter, a micro voltmeter, a micro ammeter, a 5V regulated power supply, an inflation device, and a control panel.

[0032] The positive terminal of the 27V regulated power supply is connected to the first port of the front cabin consumption indicator and the rear cabin consumption indicator via a micro-ammeter; the negative terminal of the 27V regulated power supply is connected to the second port of the consumption sensor via a pulse counter; the first port of the consumption sensor is connected to the second port of the front cabin consumption indicator and the rear cabin consumption indicator.

[0033] The 5V regulated power supply is connected to the micro voltmeter via a selector switch, and between the fourth and fifth ports of the rear cabin consumption indicator; a potentiometer is also connected between the wire-wound resistors of the fourth and fifth ports of the rear cabin consumption indicator.

[0034] The panel features a 27V regulated power supply switch and voltage display, microvoltmeter and microammeter displays, potentiometer display, pulse count display, reset and pause buttons for the pulse counter, pulse counter switch, 5V regulated power supply switch, selector switch, and fuse. The 27V regulated power supply provides power for the entire test process and displays the voltage via the voltage display. The microammeter displays the instantaneous current when the entire circuit is connected, for calculating the power consumption of the test. The microvoltmeter displays the reference voltage, ensuring that the fourth and fifth ports of the rear chamber power consumption indicator are at the standard 5V regulated power supply voltage value during testing. The potentiometer displays the voltage value between the wire-wound resistors of the fourth and fifth ports of the rear chamber power consumption indicator at various check points, for calculating uniformity. The pulse display and reset / pause switch record the number of times the reed switch is turned on during the test and allow for re-detection of the pulse count in case of emergencies. The fuse ensures the safety of the entire circuit test environment and prevents damage to the product due to excessive current.

[0035] The inflation device is connected to the consumption sensor; the inflation device can generate gas to simulate oil passing through the consumption sensor, so that the actuator between the first port and the second port of the consumption sensor is connected in a regular instantaneous manner to form a pulse signal, which is counted on the pulse counter. At the same time, the actuator between the first port and the second port of the consumption indicator receives a voltage signal, which can drive the pointer of the consumption indicator to move.

[0036] Inside the consumption sensor, the actuators between the first and second ports of the consumption sensor are an impeller, a magnet, and a reed switch. Gas generated by the inflation device causes the impeller inside the consumption sensor to rotate, which in turn drives the magnet to rotate, activating the reed switch inside the consumption sensor at a set position, thus generating a pulse signal. The greater the gas flow rate generated by the inflation device, the faster the simulated oil flows through the consumption sensor. By controlling the gas flow rate, the impeller inside the consumption sensor rotates, which in turn drives the magnet to rotate, causing the reed switch inside the consumption sensor to be activated periodically and momentarily at the set position.

[0037] The actuators between the first and second ports of the fuel consumption indicator consist of a pulse relay, a pawl, and a ratchet. When these actuators are periodically and momentarily activated, the fuel consumption indicator receives a voltage signal. This causes the pulse relays inside both the front and rear cabin fuel consumption indicators to engage their armatures, which in turn causes the pawl to rotate the ratchet. The ratchet then moves the pointer, indicating the aircraft's fuel level and remaining amount, thus enabling the coordinated testing of the front and rear cabin fuel consumption indicators. The higher the gas flow rate, the faster the sensor rotates, the more times it engages, and the more frequently the indicator moves.

[0038] The aforementioned test apparatus simulates the fuel consumption of an aircraft during flight. As fuel flows through the fuel consumption sensor, the sensor drives an impeller to rotate. At a set position, a reed switch is activated, completing a circuit in the entire fuel circuit power system. This causes the fuel consumption indicator to move. Key performance indicators include:

[0039] 1. Rated operating voltage: 27V±2.7V;

[0040] 2. Power consumption: The power consumption of the entire system should not exceed 4W during operation;

[0041] 3. Permissible error: The permissible error of the consumption indicators in the fore and aft cabins shall not exceed ±2.5% of the rated value of the indicator dial;

[0042] 4. Potentiometer uniformity: When an input voltage of 5±0.005V is applied, the output voltage of the potentiometer decreases linearly with fuel consumption, and its error does not exceed 1% of the rated value. The value is as required in Table 1.

[0043] Table 1 specifies the requirements for potentiometer output voltage.

[0044] Scale value L 5600 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Output voltage (mV) 5000 4464 3571 2679 1786 893 0

[0045] The specific testing process is as follows:

[0046] The rated operating voltage test process is as follows: Connect the fuel consumption gauges and sensors in the front and rear compartments respectively... Figure 1Connect the wiring diagrams, and during the connection process, pay attention to the correctness of the interface definitions and connections of the fuel consumption gauges and consumption sensors in the front and rear compartments. Using the 27V regulated power supply voltage display on the panel, adjust the output voltage of the 27V regulated power supply to the rated operating voltage of 27V±2.7V. Then, use the inflation device to connect the actuator between the first and second ports of the consumption sensor, generating a regular pulse signal. Simultaneously observe the pointers of the front and rear chamber consumption indicators. If both pointers move one step while the pulse counter is counting, it indicates that the front and rear chamber consumption indicators are correctly connected to the consumption sensor, and the test set is successfully matched. If the front chamber consumption indicator moves but the rear chamber consumption indicator does not, it indicates that the rear chamber consumption indicator is faulty and needs to be repaired. If the rear chamber consumption indicator moves but the front chamber consumption indicator does not, it indicates that the front chamber consumption indicator is faulty and needs to be repaired. If neither the front nor rear chamber consumption indicator moves, check the actuator between the first and second ports of the consumption sensor for troubleshooting.

[0047] The power consumption test process is as follows: while performing the rated working voltage test, the power consumption is read from the moment of connection using a micro ammeter. The power consumption is calculated using the power consumption and the working voltage. If the calculated power consumption also meets the requirements after the tester is successfully matched, the power consumption test is considered to be qualified. Of course, when performing the power consumption test, the value of the power consumption current can be the average value of multiple current readings.

[0048] The permissible error test process is as follows: After the tester is successfully matched, the working voltage is kept constant. The actuator between the first and second ports of the consumption sensor is connected by the inflation device to form a pulse signal. The pointers of the front cabin consumption indicator and the rear cabin consumption indicator move. When the pointer of one consumption indicator moves to 0, the working voltage is cut off and the number of pulses n1 on the pulse counter is recorded. Then the 27V regulated power supply is turned on. When the pointer of the other consumption indicator moves to 0, the number of pulses n2 on the pulse counter is recorded again. The difference between n2 and n1 is used to determine whether the permissible error requirement is met.

[0049] In this embodiment, the oil level is consumed from 5600L to 0L, and the allowable error is no greater than ±2.5% of the rated value of the indicator dial, that is, 140L of oil or 42 pulses. Therefore, the detection result n2-n1 should not exceed 42 pulses.

[0050] The uniformity test process is as follows: Connect the 5V regulated power supply to the micro voltmeter via a selector switch. Adjust the 5V regulated power supply output reference voltage to 5.00±0.005V according to the micro voltmeter indication. Then connect the 5V regulated power supply between the fourth and fifth ports of the rear cabin consumption indicator via the selector switch. Keep the operating voltage constant, use the inflation device to connect the actuator between the first and second ports of the consumption sensor to generate a pulse signal, causing the pointer of the rear cabin consumption indicator to move from 5600L to 0L. Observe whether the difference between the potentiometer output voltage value and the required value at the corresponding set pointer position in Table 1 meets the requirements during the process of the pointer of the rear cabin consumption indicator moving to 0. The error should not exceed ±50mV.

[0051] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for testing airborne fuel consumption meters using a two-seat aircraft airborne fuel consumption meter tester, characterized in that: The test apparatus includes a 27V regulated power supply, a pulse counter, a micro voltmeter, a micro ammeter, a 5V regulated power supply, an inflation device, and a control panel. The positive terminal of the 27V regulated power supply is connected to the first port of the front cabin consumption indicator and the rear cabin consumption indicator via a micro ammeter; the negative terminal of the 27V regulated power supply is connected to the second port of the consumption sensor via a pulse counter. The first port of the consumption sensor is connected to the second ports of the front cabin consumption indicator and the rear cabin consumption indicator. The 5V regulated power supply is connected to the micro voltmeter and the fourth and fifth ports of the rear cabin consumption indicator via a selector switch; a potentiometer is also connected between the wire-wound resistors of the fourth and fifth ports of the rear cabin consumption indicator. The panel has a 27V regulated power supply switch and voltage display, micro voltmeter and micro ammeter display, potentiometer display, pulse count display, pulse counter reset and pause buttons, pulse counter switch, 5V regulated power supply switch and selection switch; The inflation device is connected to the consumption sensor; the inflation device can generate gas to simulate oil passing through the consumption sensor, so that the actuator between the first port and the second port of the consumption sensor is connected to form a pulse signal, which is counted on the pulse counter. At the same time, the actuator between the first port and the second port of the consumption indicator receives a voltage signal, which can drive the pointer of the consumption indicator to move. The test content of the method includes rated operating voltage, power consumption, allowable error, and uniformity; The rated operating voltage test process is as follows: Using the 27V regulated power supply voltage display on the panel, adjust the output voltage of the 27V regulated power supply to the rated operating voltage of 27V±2.7V. Then, use the inflation device to connect the actuator between the first and second ports of the consumption sensor to generate a pulse signal. At the same time, observe the pointers of the front and rear chamber consumption indicators. If the pointers of the front and rear chamber consumption indicators both move one step while the pulse counter is counting, it indicates that the front and rear chamber consumption indicators are correctly connected to the consumption sensor, and the test set is successfully matched. If the forward cabin consumption indicator moves while the aft cabin consumption indicator does not, it indicates that the aft cabin consumption indicator is faulty and needs to be repaired. If the aft cabin consumption indicator needle moves while the forward cabin consumption indicator needle does not move, it indicates that the forward cabin consumption indicator is faulty and needs to be repaired. If neither the forward cabin consumption indicator nor the aft cabin consumption indicator pointer moves, check the actuator between the first and second ports of the consumption sensor to troubleshoot. The power consumption test process is as follows: while performing the rated working voltage test, the power consumption is read from the moment of connection using a micro ammeter. The power consumption is calculated using the power consumption and the working voltage. If the calculated power consumption also meets the requirements after the tester is successfully matched, the power consumption test is considered to be qualified. The permissible error test process is as follows: After the tester is successfully matched, the working voltage is kept constant. The actuator between the first and second ports of the consumption sensor is connected by the inflation device to form a pulse signal. The pointers of the front and rear cabin consumption indicators move. When the pointer of one consumption indicator moves to 0, the working voltage is cut off and the number of pulses n1 on the pulse counter is recorded. Then the 27V regulated power supply is turned on. When the pointer of the other consumption indicator moves to 0, the number of pulses n2 on the pulse counter is recorded again. The difference between n2 and n1 is used to determine whether the permissible error requirement is met. The uniformity test process is as follows: Connect the 5V regulated power supply to the micro voltmeter via a selector switch. According to the micro voltmeter indication, adjust the 5V regulated power supply output reference voltage to 5.00±0.005V. Then, connect the 5V regulated power supply between the fourth and fifth ports of the rear cabin consumption indicator via the selector switch. Keeping the operating voltage constant, use the inflation device to connect the actuator between the first and second ports of the consumption sensor to generate a pulse signal, causing the pointer of the rear cabin consumption indicator to move to 0. Observe whether the difference between the potentiometer output voltage value and the required value at multiple set pointer positions during the process of the pointer of the rear cabin consumption indicator moving to 0 meets the requirements.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The actuators between the first and second ports of the consumption sensor are an impeller, a magnet, and a reed switch. The gas generated by the inflation device causes the impeller inside the consumption sensor to rotate, which in turn drives the magnet to rotate, activating the reed switch inside the consumption sensor at a set position to generate a pulse signal.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The greater the gas flow rate generated by the aeration device, the faster the simulated oil flows through the consumption sensor. By controlling the gas flow rate, the impeller inside the consumption sensor is made to rotate.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The actuator between the first and second ports of the consumption indicator consists of a pulse relay, a pawl, and a ratchet. When the actuator between the first and second ports of the consumption sensor is activated, the consumption indicator receives a voltage signal. The pulse relay attracts the armature, causing the pawl to rotate the ratchet, which in turn drives the pointer to move.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: When performing power consumption tests, the current consumption value is taken as the average value of multiple current readings.

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