Fuel Tank Sensor Assembly Through-Wall Maintenance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel sensor installations in aircraft fuel tanks require internal access for maintenance, which can lead to fuel leakage during servicing or replacement of removable components, posing challenges in maintaining tank integrity.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with a housing and cartridge design that allows for flow path control between the interior cavity and the sensor, enabling maintenance without fuel leakage, using a poppet and stator mechanism to block or allow fluid flow based on the cartridge's position, and a bayonet pin system for easy removal and reinstallation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If full internal installation of fuel sensors is used, then the sensor can be fully accessed for maintenance, but access to the interior of the fuel tank is required during installation and maintenance operations
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is divided into separate components: a housing that remains in the tank wall and a removable cartridge containing the sensor element. This segmentation allows the cartridge to be serviced independently through the wall opening without requiring full internal access to the tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor element is extracted from the tank interior and placed in a removable cartridge that can be accessed and serviced from outside the tank through a wall opening, eliminating the need for internal access during maintenance.
2Ease of operation
If through wall installation of removable components is used, then servicing can be done from outside the tank, but fuel leakage may occur during component replacement
Solution Approach 1:
A closure mechanism is provided that can be activated before the cartridge is fully removed to prevent fuel leakage. This preliminary action blocks the flow path through the wall opening before the removable component is completely extracted, maintaining tank integrity during servicing.
Solution Approach 2:
A closure element or plug acts as an intermediary between the cartridge and the fuel tank interior, sealing the flow path when the cartridge is removed and allowing fuel flow when the cartridge is installed, thus preventing leakage during component replacement.
3Reliability
If permanent components are installed through the wall, then they cannot be replaced or internally inspected, but they maintain tank integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is segmented into a permanent housing that maintains tank integrity and a removable cartridge that can be easily replaced. This allows the housing to remain permanently installed through the wall while the sensor element can be serviced independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the housing and cartridge is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed, allowing the cartridge to be removed and reinstalled while the housing remains permanently in place. This provides both tank integrity and component replaceability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a sensor assembly for installation within an opening in a wall separating an interior cavity from an exterior. The sensor assembly includes an exterior housing and a cartridge including a sensor. When the cartridge is correctly positioned within the housing, a flow path is established from the interior cavity to the sensor supported within the cartridge. When the cartridge is not positioned within the housing, the flow path is blocked.