Fuel Data Collection Unit Temperature Compensation Over-fill Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Temperature variations affect the volume of fuel, leading to inaccurate measurement of fuel weight during aviation refueling, which is critical for safety and fairness in fuel transactions.
Innovation Solution
A fuel data collection unit with a temperature compensation module that uses fuel density at standard temperature and measured temperature data to calculate a volume correction factor, ensuring accurate measurement of fuel volume and mass, and includes features for over-fill prevention, power monitoring, and wireless communication for remote alerts and data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fuel volume is measured using standard meters without temperature compensation, then the measurement process is simple and fast, but the measurement precision of fuel weight is inaccurate due to temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures fuel temperature and uses this parameter to dynamically adjust the density value applied to volume measurements. By changing the density parameter based on temperature, the system calculates accurate fuel weight without requiring complex direct weight measurement equipment, thus improving measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces temperature as an intermediary parameter that connects volume measurement to weight calculation. Instead of directly measuring weight (which would require complex equipment), the system uses temperature compensation as an intermediary step to derive accurate weight from volume measurements, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and device simplicity.
2Measurement precision
If temperature compensation is implemented to improve fuel measurement accuracy, then fuel weight measurement becomes accurate, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the measurement process into distinct components: volume measurement by the meter, temperature measurement by the sensor, and separate calculation of compensated volume and weight. This segmentation allows each component to remain relatively simple while the integrated system achieves high accuracy, managing device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary temperature measurement and density adjustment before the final weight calculation. By preparing the compensated density value in advance based on temperature readings, the system simplifies the final calculation step and reduces real-time processing complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
3Reliability
If no over-fill prevention is implemented, then the fueling process is fast and uninterrupted, but safety issues arise due to potential over-filling of aircraft fuel tanks
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors fuel volume during dispensing and provides feedback to the control mechanism. When the pre-ordered quantity is reached or maximum tank capacity is approached, the feedback signal automatically stops or slows the fuel flow, ensuring safety without requiring constant manual intervention, thus maintaining operational speed while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates the maximum safe fuel quantity based on aircraft specifications and pre-orders, and sets up automatic stop conditions before over-filling can occur. This preliminary anti-action prevents the harmful effect of over-filling by having safety mechanisms in place before the problem arises, ensuring both safety and operational efficiency.
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
The solution provides accurate measurement of fuel volume and mass, preventing over-filling and ensuring that the provider and recipient receive the correct amount of fuel, enhancing safety and fairness in aviation refueling operations.
Implementation Method 1
Temperature variations can affect the volume of a given mass of fuel due to the fuel expanding or contracting with varying temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A fueling data collection unit associated with a fuel transfer apparatus and for use with a system for managing fueling transactions of a fleet operator using fuel transfer apparatuses at one or more locations includes a fueling data interface module and a temperature compensation module. The temperature compensation module compensates for a volume variance of the fuel as a result of temperature variance from the standard temperature data to determine a volume correction factor at the measured fuel temperature, while the temperature compensation module uses the measured fuel temperature to determine a compensated, more accurate volume and/or mass of fuel dispensed through the fuel meter. In this way, the fuel data collection unit can accurately measure the volume and/or mass of fuel being delivered. This allows the provider and the recipient to more accurately sell/buy what was actually delivered and can avoid over-filling a fueling order.