Aircraft Fueling Adapter Mass Flow Meter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft refueling methods rely on manual calculations to convert volume-based fuel delivery measurements from ground sources to mass units, which can introduce inaccuracies due to human error, potentially leading to incorrect fuel quantities onboarded.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an aircraft fueling adapter with a mass flow meter that directly measures and calculates the mass of fuel delivered to the aircraft, providing an accurate and independent measurement that can be compared with existing fuel quantity gauges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual calculation methods are used to convert volume-based fuel delivery measurements to mass units, then ground personnel can perform the conversion process, but human error introduces inaccuracies in the final fuel quantity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical calculation process with an automated electronic system. The fueling adapter includes a flow meter that electronically measures fuel flow and a processor that automatically performs the conversion from volume to mass using stored density values, eliminating human calculation errors entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fueling adapter as an intermediary device between the ground fueling system and the aircraft. This adapter includes integrated sensors, processors, and communication interfaces that mediate the fuel measurement and verification process, ensuring accurate tracking of fuel quantity both volumetrically and by mass.
2Ease of operation
If volumetric measurement is used at the fuel delivery source, then fuel can be delivered from ground sources, but the measurement does not directly reflect the mass required for flight operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent automatically changes the measurement parameter from volume to mass by incorporating fuel density data. The system retrieves density values (either pre-stored or from external sources) and uses the processor to convert volumetric measurements to mass measurements, providing both parameters simultaneously without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual volume-to-mass conversion calculations with an electronic processing system that automatically performs the transformation using stored density data, ensuring accurate mass measurement while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Productivity
If daily fuel density values are manually obtained and converted, then ground personnel can update the conversion factor, but the process is time-consuming and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-storing fuel density values in the adapter's memory before the fueling operation begins. The system can load density data in advance from external sources or databases, so when fueling occurs, the conversion is immediately available without requiring manual retrieval or calculation during the time-critical fueling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual process of obtaining and converting density values with an automated electronic system that retrieves, stores, and applies density data instantaneously, eliminating the time loss associated with manual operations.
4Measurement precision
If independent verification of fuel delivery is implemented, then accuracy can be confirmed, but the system complexity increases with additional measurement devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated fueling adapter device. The adapter combines the flow meter, density storage, conversion processor, and communication interfaces into one unit that interfaces with the aircraft's existing fuel system, providing independent verification without requiring separate complex measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The fueling adapter serves multiple functions simultaneously: it measures volumetric flow, stores density data, performs mass conversion calculations, communicates with the aircraft's fuel quantity indication system, and provides verification capabilities. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices while maintaining measurement precision.
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
This solution significantly enhances the accuracy and reliability of aircraft refueling by eliminating manual conversion errors, ensuring precise fuel mass measurements, and reducing the risk of overweight or underweight aircraft takeoffs.
Implementation Method 1
The aircraft fueling adapter flow meter is a mass flow meter configured to directly calculate fuel mass delivered to the aircraft fuel tank from the aircraft fuel supply
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft fueling adapter incorporating an aircraft fueling adapter flow meter is disclosed for improving accuracy of fueling protocols by providing an additional independent flow data point in mass units and/or volume units in the fueling process that can be compared against existing fuel flow readings.