Optically Powered Fuel Tank Pressure Sensing for Safe Remote Gauging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual measurement of fuel quantity in aircraft fuel tanks is cumbersome, time-consuming, and prone to errors, and existing systems are susceptible to electrical interference and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
An optically powered remotely interrogated liquid gauging system using an optically powered pressure sensor and optical interrogator to determine fuel quantity without electrical contact, employing a hermetically sealed stainless steel housing with a photocell array to generate power and transmit data optically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual measurement with magnetic float level indicators is used, then the system is simple and inexpensive, but the measurement process is time-consuming and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement operations with an automated optical sensing system. The optical sensor measures liquid level automatically without requiring manual intervention, eliminating the time-consuming nature of manual measurement while maintaining system simplicity through the use of non-complex optical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensing system performs self-measurement of liquid level without requiring external manual operation. The system automatically detects and records the liquid level, eliminating the need for operators to physically measure and record data, thereby increasing productivity without proportionally increasing system complexity.
2Extent of automation
If electrical sensors are used for liquid level measurement, then automation is improved, but electrical interference and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes electrical sensing mechanisms with optical sensing mechanisms. The optical sensor uses light to detect liquid level without requiring electrical contact with the liquid, thereby maintaining automation while eliminating electrical interference and safety hazards associated with electrical sensors in hazardous environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium for measurement. Instead of using electrical fields that can cause interference or safety issues, the system uses optical fields that act as a safe intermediary to transmit measurement information without direct electrical contact with the liquid, resolving the contradiction between automation and electrical safety.
3Measurement precision
If optical sensing is used for liquid level measurement, then safety and measurement accuracy are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies optical sensing principles specifically to the liquid level measurement function rather than throughout the entire system. By localizing the optical technology to only where precise measurement is needed, the system achieves high measurement precision without unnecessarily increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from electrical to optical. This parameter change enables precise liquid level detection through optical properties of the liquid while avoiding the complexity of electrical circuitry, thereby achieving measurement precision without proportional increases in device complexity.
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
Enables quick and accurate determination of fuel quantity in aircraft fuel tanks from the ground, avoiding electrical interference and safety risks, while ensuring precise measurements.
Implementation Method 1
an optically powered pressure sensor including a hermetically sealed housing, a diaphragm forming at least a portion of the housing, a photocell array configured to generate power
Implementation Method 2
an optical emitter configured to transmit data corresponding to the sensed one or more parameters
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An optically powered pressure sensor for sensing pressure of a liquid in a tank includes a hermetically sealed housing with at least a portion of the housing having a diaphragm, at least one sensor within the hermetically sealed housing, at least one optical emitter, and a photocell array. The hermetically sealed housing forms at least a portion of a hermetically sealed wall of the tank. The at least one sensor within the hermetically sealed housing is configured to sense the pressure of the liquid. The at least one optical emitter is configured to transmit data corresponding to the sensed pressure. The photocell array is configured to receive light and provide power to the at least one sensor and the at least one optical emitter.