Aircraft Fuel Tank Optical Detection for Contamination Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel contamination in vehicle tanks, particularly in aircraft systems, leads to fuel starvation due to clogging of fuel supply lines and filters by contaminants like water and microbial growth, causing engine power loss and downtime.
Innovation Solution
A fuel tank system with a contamination detection system that includes a source device emitting light, a collection device capturing scattered light, and a computing device analyzing the light to determine the presence, type, and location of contaminants using spectral analysis, particularly Raman spectroscopy, to provide real-time data on contamination levels and blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional fuel contamination detection methods are used, then contamination can be detected, but the detection process is destructive and causes fuel loss and downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/destructive sampling methods with optical detection. Light sources illuminate the fuel and contaminants, and sensors detect scattered or absorbed light to identify contamination types and concentrations without removing or destroying fuel samples, enabling non-intrusive real-time monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium between the fuel and the detection system. Light interacts with contaminants through scattering, absorption, or fluorescence, carrying information about contamination that can be detected by sensors without direct contact with the fuel, thus avoiding fuel loss and contamination of detection equipment
2Reliability
If manual fuel inspection methods are used, then contamination can be identified, but the process is time-consuming and requires shutting down the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous contamination monitoring by integrating the optical detection system into the existing fuel system. The light sources and sensors operate continuously or periodically without interrupting fuel flow or system operation, providing ongoing contamination assessment that maintains both reliability and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system automatically monitors fuel contamination without requiring manual intervention. The optical sensors continuously analyze fuel quality, and the system self-diagnoses contamination levels, eliminating the need for manual sampling and inspection while maintaining high reliability
3Loss of information
If comprehensive fuel analysis is performed, then detailed contamination information is obtained, but the process is complex and requires multiple sampling points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-functional optical detection system that can identify multiple types of contaminants (water, particulates, microbial growth, chemical contaminants) using a single integrated platform. The system adjusts light wavelengths and detection parameters to detect various contamination types, reducing the need for multiple separate detection systems while maintaining comprehensive analysis capability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and non-destructive detection of contaminants within fuel tanks, reducing downtime by providing real-time data on contamination levels and blockages, allowing for proactive maintenance and preventing fuel starvation.
Implementation Method 1
a collection device capturing scattered light resulting from the emitted light interacting with fuel in the fuel tank
Implementation Method 2
an optical detection device converting the optical signal to an electronic signal representative of properties of the captured scattered light
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel tank system is disclosed. The fuel tank system includes a fuel tank and a detection system associated with the fuel tank. The detection system includes a source device emitting light into the fuel tank and an analysis device. The analysis device includes a collection device capturing scattered light resulting from the emitted light interacting with fuel in the fuel tank and providing an optical signal corresponding to the captured scattered light. The analysis device includes an optical detection device converting the optical signal to an electronic signal representative of properties of the captured scattered light and a computing device. In one or more embodiments, the computing device generates, based on the electronic signal, data including an indication of: a presence or absence of one or more contaminants in the fuel tank, a type of the one or more contaminants, and location information of the fuel and contaminants.