External Optical Fuel Tank Ullage Analysis System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel tank monitoring systems face challenges in accurately determining fuel volume and chemical composition due to limitations in energy usage and high installation and maintenance costs, particularly in complex environments like aircraft fuel tanks where factors like tilt and wing bending affect fuel orientation.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing imagers to transmit light through fuel tank ullage, determining absorption wavelengths to calculate chemical composition and reduce the need for capacitive probes by using image processing to assess fuel levels, density, and wing bending without the need for in-tank electronics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If capacitive probes are installed within fuel tanks to determine fuel volume, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from physical probes inside the fuel tank and relocates it to an external imaging system. The imager is positioned outside the fuel tank, eliminating the need for capacitive probes to be installed within the tank, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability through optical field analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical capacitive probe system with an optical imaging system. Instead of using electromagnetic fields from capacitive probes to measure fuel volume, the system uses light field imaging to capture and analyze fuel tank contents, substituting a non-contact optical method for the traditional contact-based electrical measurement approach
2Measurement precision
If multiple capacitive and other probes are installed for accurate fuel determination, then measurement precision is improved, but installation and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional imaging system that can determine multiple fuel properties (volume, density, chemical composition) using a single external imager. This universal device replaces multiple specialized probes (capacitive probes for volume, densitometers for density, temperature probes for thermal data), reducing both installation and maintenance requirements while providing comprehensive fuel characterization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts all measurement functions from the fuel tank interior and consolidates them in an external imaging system. By removing the need for any probes to be installed within the tank, the system eliminates installation complexity and maintenance requirements associated with in-tank electronics, while still achieving accurate multi-parameter fuel measurement
3Object-affected harmful factors
If strict energy regulations are enforced in fuel tanks, then safety is improved, but the number of functional probes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the imaging device from the fuel tank interior and positions it externally. This eliminates the safety concerns associated with having electronic devices and energy sources inside the hazardous fuel environment, while still enabling comprehensive fuel measurement. The external positioning removes the conflict between safety regulations and probe functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary (light field) that transmits information from the fuel tank contents to the external imager without requiring physical or electrical contact. This intermediary mechanism allows measurement functionality to be achieved while maintaining the safety boundary that prevents energy-intensive devices from being installed within the fuel tank
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 approach allows for accurate fuel measurement and reduced component installation, lowering costs and maintenance needs while maintaining precise fuel monitoring in complex environments.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting, from a light source, light through a fuel tank ullage, and determining, by a processing device, an amount of absorption of at least one wavelength of the transmitted light
Data Source
AI summary
A method can include transmitting, from a light source, light through a fuel tank ullage, and determining, by a processing device, an amount of absorption of at least one wavelength of the transmitted light. The method can further include determining, by the processing device based on the amount of absorption of the at least one wavelength of the transmitted light, a chemical composition of the fuel tank ullage.