Aircraft Fuel Metering Hardware Detection for Adaptive Control Current

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing turbomachine fuel metering systems require manual software updates when hardware configurations change, risking operational issues due to mismatched control currents, and lack a method to automatically adapt to different hardware configurations.

Innovation Solution

A method to detect fuel metering unit hardware configurations by measuring output voltages at the equipment, using a control voltage to identify specific voltage responses, allowing automatic adaptation of control currents based on the detected configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual software updates are used to adapt to hardware configuration changes, then control current accuracy can be maintained, but operational complexity and maintenance time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol current accuracyVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The protection computer automatically detects the FMU hardware configuration by measuring output voltages and autonomously adapts the control current parameters without requiring manual software updates. The system performs self-identification and self-adjustment during the power-up phase, eliminating the need for human intervention in configuration adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs hardware configuration detection and control current adaptation during the initial power-up phase before normal operation begins. This preliminary action ensures that the correct control parameters are established before fuel metering operations start, preventing operational issues from the outset.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If protection computers manually update software to match hardware changes, then control precision is maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidsoftware update complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual software update process with an automated electrical measurement and processing system. Instead of requiring human operators to manually configure software parameters, the system uses voltage measurement circuits and processor-based automatic parameter adaptation to achieve the same control precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If different FMU models are used during maintenance, then operational flexibility improves, but risk of mismatched control currents increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveFMU model flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol current matching

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically adjusts control current parameters based on the detected FMU hardware configuration. By measuring output voltages and identifying the specific FMU model, the protection computer modifies the control current parameters to match the actual hardware characteristics, ensuring proper operation across different FMU models.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses voltage measurement at the FMU output as feedback to identify the hardware configuration and adjust control parameters accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the protection computer to adapt to different FMU models based on their actual electrical characteristics, ensuring reliable control current matching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 automatic detection and adaptation of control currents to different fuel metering unit models, ensuring reliable turbomachine protection without manual software updates, thus preventing catastrophic events.

Implementation Method 1

a first channel comprising a first measuring unit capable of measuring a first voltage Vs1 at the equipment output and a second channel comprising a second measuring unit capable of measuring a second voltage Vs2 at the equipment output

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage measurement: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentEP4004493B1Automatic detection of a hardware configuration of equipment on board an aircraft

Publication Date: 2025.11.05 SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES SAS

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AI summary

The invention relates to a method for detecting a hardware configuration of a device intended to be housed on board an aircraft and controlled by a protection computer (8), comprising a power supply able to supply power to the device, a first measurement module (16) able to measure a first voltage Vs1 at the output of the device and a second measurement module (18) able to measure a second voltage Vs2 at the output of the device: a) Send a control voltage Vc at the input of the device; b) Measure the first voltage Vs1 and the second voltage Vs2; c) Deduce the hardware configuration of the device from the values of the measured first and second voltages Vs1 and Vs2.