Aircraft Fuel Valve Assembly With Direct Beam State Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the state of aircraft fuel control valves rely on indirect monitoring, which can lead to false readings due to malfunction or disengagement of sub-component parts, affecting optimal aircraft operation and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Innovation Solution

An aircraft fuel control valve assembly incorporating primary and secondary electromagnetic energy transmitters and receivers, configured to directly monitor the state of a movable valve using electromagnetic energy beams, allowing real-time and on-demand determination of the valve's open or closed configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If indirect monitoring methods are used to determine valve state, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to false readings from sub-component malfunction or disengagement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring system complexityVSAvoidvalve state detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces indirect mechanical monitoring systems with direct optical sensing. Electromagnetic energy transmitters and receivers are positioned to detect valve position directly through the valve body, eliminating the chain of mechanical sub-components that could fail or disengage. This substitution of mechanical sensing with optical sensing resolves the contradiction by providing direct measurement without the complexity of mechanical linkages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If direct electromagnetic energy monitoring is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional transmitters and receivers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve state detection accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnetic energy transmitters and receivers are integrated into the valve assembly structure, serving both as structural components and sensing elements. The housing and internal components are designed to incorporate the optical sensing system, allowing single components to fulfill multiple functions (structural support, fluid containment, and state detection). This multi-functionality reduces the overall device complexity despite the addition of electromagnetic sensing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the valve assembly with the electromagnetic energy transmission and reception system. The transmitters and receivers are integrated directly into the valve housing and internal structure, combining what would traditionally be separate systems into a unified assembly. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting structures and connection mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining direct measurement capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If redundant monitoring systems are added, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve state monitoring reliabilityVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple electromagnetic energy transmitters and receivers are integrated into the valve assembly to provide redundant monitoring paths. The housing and internal structure are designed to accommodate multiple sensing elements that can independently detect valve position. This merging of multiple redundant sensors into a unified integrated system provides reliability through redundancy while minimizing the increase in device complexity through shared structural support and unified design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Provides direct and redundant monitoring of fuel control valve states, enhancing aircraft performance certainty and safety by ensuring accurate valve position assessment independently of indirect measurement systems.

Implementation Method 1

a primary electromagnetic energy transmitter configured to direct primary electromagnetic energy that can be light (and that can be a primary electromagnetic energy beam that can be a primary electromagnetic energy light beam) from the primary electromagnetic energy transmitter into and across the valve chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Light

Data Source

PatentUS20260035087A1Valve State Detection System and Assembly for Aircraft Fuel System and Method

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A valve state detection system for directly determining and confirming the existing valve state in an aircraft fuel control valve in real time, with an aircraft fuel control valve incorporating a electromagnetic energy beam transmitter and receiver for emitting and receiving an electromagnetic energy beam across an aircraft fuel control valve assembly chamber.