Bonding Cable Interlock for Aircraft Refueling Vehicle Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current safety measures fail to reliably prevent fuelers from leaving bonding cables or clamps attached to aircraft after refueling, leading to potential damage and safety hazards during takeoff or flight.
Innovation Solution
A bonding equipment safety apparatus and system that communicates with a brake interlock system to lock or unlock vehicle brakes based on the attachment status of the bonding cable, using proximity sensors or pneumatic valves to ensure the cable is securely disconnected before the vehicle can move.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bonding cable clamp is detachably coupled to an aircraft for static electricity dissipation during fueling, then safety during refueling is improved, but the risk of accidental detachment and subsequent damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically engaging the bonding cable clamp with the aircraft before fueling begins and automatically disengaging it after fueling completes. The brake interlock system is pre-configured to prevent vehicle movement unless the clamp is properly positioned, ensuring safety protocols are executed automatically without relying on manual operator actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback through sensors that detect the position and attachment status of the bonding cable clamp. This feedback is continuously monitored and transmitted to the brake interlock system, which adjusts vehicle mobility based on the clamp's status. The feedback loop ensures that the vehicle cannot move unless the clamp is properly disengaged, creating a closed-loop safety mechanism.
2Reliability
If the bonding cable clamp is left attached to the aircraft after fueling, then static electricity protection is maintained, but the aircraft may be damaged during takeoff or flight
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the bonding cable clamp's attachment status based on the operational phase. During fueling, the clamp is automatically engaged to provide static electricity protection. After fueling completes, the system automatically disengages the clamp, transitioning from a protected state to a safe-for-flight state. This dynamic behavior ensures protection is provided only when necessary and removed when it could cause harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical operations of attaching and detaching the bonding cable clamp with an automated mechanical system. The brake interlock mechanism automatically positions and secures the clamp during fueling, and automatically releases it after fueling. This substitution of manual mechanical actions with an automated system eliminates human error in the attachment/detachment process.
Data Source
AI summary
A bonding equipment safety apparatus for the prevention of damage to aircraft or other aircraft refueling equipment. This apparatus has a housing with a proximity sensor mounted within that detects if the door of the housing has been closed by the attachment of a bonding cable and clamp, which detection then engages a control system influencing the movement of the fueling vehicle, ensuring that the bonding cable equipment has been properly detached from the aircraft and stowed before allowing the aircraft refueling vehicles and equipment to move away from the aircraft and cause damage.