Pre-Flight Caddy with Funnel for Fuel Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pre-flight fuel testing procedures for aircraft are inefficient and pose safety risks due to the challenge of handling and storing fuel testing equipment, which can lead to contamination and exposure to potentially carcinogenic aviation fuel.
Innovation Solution
A portable pre-flight caddy designed to securely store and organize aircraft fuel testing equipment, featuring a built-in funnel to prevent fuel spills and keep supplies clean, along with compartments for a GATS jar, fuel cap, and fuel dipstick, facilitating safe and efficient pre-flight checks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fuel testing equipment is stored loosely or in open containers, then accessibility and ease of operation are improved, but contamination from dirt, grime, oil, and dew increases, and fuel spills onto hands occur
Solution Approach 1:
The caddy is divided into multiple compartments: a first compartment for the GATS jar, a second compartment for the fuel cap, and a third compartment for the fuel dipstick. This segmentation allows each piece of equipment to be stored in its own dedicated space, preventing contamination while maintaining easy accessibility. The compartmentalized structure enables pilots to quickly access specific items without handling other equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The built-in funnel acts as an intermediary device between the GATS jar and the fuel tank. It provides a controlled pathway for returning tested fuel to the tank, preventing direct pouring and the associated risk of spills onto the pilot's hands. The funnel's spout fits into the fuel filler hole, creating a secure intermediate connection that eliminates the harmful spillage effect.
2Ease of operation
If fuel testing equipment is stored in open containers for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but fuel spills onto hands occur during the returning process
Solution Approach 1:
The built-in funnel serves as a mediator that intercepts the fuel flow between the GATS jar and the fuel tank. By positioning the funnel's spout within the fuel filler hole opening, it creates a controlled transfer path that prevents fuel from spilling onto the pilot's hands during the returning process. This intermediary device maintains the convenience of the procedure while eliminating the harmful spillage effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The caddy's integrated funnel design allows the system to perform its own fuel transfer function without requiring external pouring equipment or procedures. The funnel is permanently attached to the caddy structure, enabling self-contained fuel management that reduces human intervention and the associated risk of spills.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fuel testing equipment is stored in separate locations, then contamination is reduced, but device complexity and time to assemble equipment increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple storage functions are merged into a single integrated caddy unit. The first compartment stores the GATS jar, the second compartment stores the fuel cap, and the third compartment stores the fuel dipstick. This consolidation provides the contamination protection of separate storage while eliminating the complexity of managing multiple containers. The unified structure allows all equipment to be accessed from one location, reducing assembly time and structural complexity compared to multiple separate storage solutions.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the present invention may include a caddy for securely storing aircraft pre-flight fuel testing equipment, including a handle, a first compartment configured to securely hold a fuel testing jar, and a second compartment configured to securely hold a fuel cap, wherein the first and second compartment openings are oriented toward the top of the caddy. Aspects of the present invention may also include a method of pre-flight fuel testing of an aircraft, including the steps of removing a fuel cap from the aircraft fuel tank and stowing the fuel cap from the aircraft fuel tank in a preflight fuel testing caddy, and removing a fuel testing jar from the preflight fuel testing caddy for fuel testing.