Liquid level sensing system & flight phase detection system for aircraft galley inserts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid level sensing systems in aircraft galley inserts face challenges in accurately measuring liquid levels due to aircraft angle variations, leading to potential overflow issues when the aircraft is not flying level.
Innovation Solution
A liquid level sensing system that includes a liquid level sensor and an aircraft angle compensation controller, which uses a gyroscopic sensor to adjust the sensor's angle and position, ensuring the sensor remains parallel to the liquid surface despite aircraft pitch, yaw, and roll, thereby improving measurement accuracy and preventing overflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a liquid level sensor is used to measure liquid level in aircraft galley appliances, then liquid level monitoring is achieved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates when the aircraft is not flying level due to angle variations
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid level sensor is made dynamically adjustable through an actuator mechanism that changes the sensor's angle and/or position in response to gyroscopic input signals representing aircraft angle variations. This dynamic adjustment allows the sensor to maintain proper orientation relative to the liquid surface despite aircraft movement, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and adaptability to varying conditions
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback control loop is implemented where the gyroscopic sensor continuously provides input signals about aircraft angle, the controller processes this information, and the actuator adjusts the liquid level sensor accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system ensures the sensor automatically compensates for aircraft angle variations, maintaining accurate liquid level measurement across different flight conditions
2Measurement precision
If the sensor angle is adjusted to compensate for aircraft angle variations, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional actuators and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: it adjusts both the angle and position of the liquid level sensor based on gyroscopic input, allowing a single device to handle various aircraft movement scenarios (pitch, roll, yaw). This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate adjustment mechanisms for each degree of freedom
Solution Approach 2:
A controller unit serves as an intermediary between the gyroscopic sensor and the actuator, processing the raw gyroscopic data and converting it into appropriate actuator control signals. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system architecture by decoupling the sensing and actuation components, making the system more manageable despite the added complexity of the adjustment mechanism
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
The system effectively compensates for aircraft angle variations, enhancing the accuracy of liquid level evaluation and preventing overflow by adjusting the sensor's position and controlling the liquid flow rate, ensuring user safety and system reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid level sensor arranged to emit a signal towards the surface of a liquid in a galley insert appliance and to detect the reflection of the signal from the surface for evaluation of the liquid level
Implementation Method 2
the aircraft angle compensation controller receives an input from a gyroscopic sensor and alters the angle and/or position of the liquid level sensor in response to the input from the gyroscopic sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid level sensing system for a galley insert appliance in an aircraft galley insert is arranged to alter the angle and/or position of a liquid level sensor in response to an input from a gyroscopic sensor. The liquid level sensor is arranged to emit a signal towards the surface of a liquid in the galley insert appliance and to detect the reflection of the signal from the surface for evaluation of the liquid level.