Aircraft Fuel Sensor Interface Using Serial Data to Cut Cabling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft fuel measurement systems require numerous cables for connecting fuel dielectric and density sensors to processing systems, leading to increased weight, cost, and maintenance complexity due to electromagnetic interference and the need for redundant sensing pairs.
Innovation Solution
A fluid measurement system that uses a signal processor to generate a serial word representing fluid characteristics, transmitted via a two-conductor wire pair or wirelessly, with an intrinsically safe power source and current limiter, allowing for reduced hardware and simplified installation by eliminating the need for multiple cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple pairs of fuel dielectric and density detectors are used for redundancy in each fuel tank, then measurement reliability is improved, but the number of cables increases leading to increased weight and device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detector signals into a single cable by using a multiplexer or time-division multiplexing technique. Multiple fuel level detectors share a common communication bus, allowing data from multiple sensors to be transmitted through a single cable harness rather than requiring separate cables for each detector pair.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a universal communication interface that can handle multiple types of sensors (dielectric and density detectors) through a single standardized connection. This multi-functional interface allows the same cable infrastructure to support redundant measurement systems without requiring separate cabling for each sensor type.
2Measurement precision
If shielded cables are used to reduce electromagnetic interference, then signal quality is improved, but cable weight and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional shielded cable mechanical protection with digital signal processing and error correction algorithms. Instead of relying on physical shielding to prevent electromagnetic interference, the system uses software-based noise filtering, redundancy checking, and error detection/correction codes to maintain signal integrity without the added weight of shielded cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the signal transmission parameters by using higher frequency digital communication protocols with built-in error detection. Rather than transmitting analog signals that require heavy shielding, the system transmits digital data packets with checksums and error correction capabilities, allowing unshielded or lightly shielded cables to achieve the same signal quality.
3Measurement precision
If numerous cables are routed through fuel tanks for accurate fuel level measurements, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but aircraft weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple measurement functions into a single integrated sensor unit that combines dielectric and density sensing capabilities. This integrated approach allows multiple measurement functions to share common cabling and processing resources, reducing the total cable quantity needed while maintaining accurate fuel mass calculations through combined sensor data.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid measurement system includes a signal processor and a processing system. The signal processor is configured and adapted to produce a serial word that is indicative of a fluid characteristic that is configured to be communicated externally of the signal processor. The processing system is operatively connected to the signal processor to read the serial word and decode the serial word. A method for transmitting a fluid characteristic between a sensor system and a processing system includes producing a serial word that is indicative of a fluid characteristic value with a signal processor. The method includes transmitting the serial word externally of the signal processor. The method includes reading and decoding the serial word with a processing system to determine the fluid characteristic value.