Wireless Fuel Data Unit for Aircraft Servicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft fueling systems rely on manual, paper-based processes that are time-consuming and inefficient, with issues of lost tickets and lack of electronic data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A wireless data collection unit that converts pulse signals from fueling operations into volumetric totals, using software configurable hardware filters and RF modules for noise elimination and wireless communication, with a rechargeable battery and explosion-proof housing for safe operation in hazardous environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual paper-based fueling systems are used, then simplicity and ease of implementation are maintained, but efficiency and data accuracy deteriorate due to time-consuming manual processes and lost tickets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes (paper handling, manual stamping, physical ticket passing) with electronic systems including pulse signal generation, microcontroller-based data collection, and wireless RF transmission. This substitution eliminates the need for physical paper tickets while automating the fueling data capture and transmission process, directly resolving the contradiction between improved productivity and increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation where the fueling process automatically generates pulse signals that are captured and transmitted without requiring manual intervention for data entry. The microcontroller autonomously collects pulse data, calculates fuel volumes, and transmits information wirelessly, allowing the system to serve itself and eliminating dependency on manual paper-based procedures.
2Loss of information
If electronic data transmission systems are implemented, then data accuracy and efficiency improve, but power consumption increases requiring site power availability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through the pulse signal generation mechanism where data transmission occurs in discrete pulses corresponding to fuel flow measurements rather than continuous transmission. The system collects pulse data periodically during fueling operations and transmits accumulated data wirelessly, reducing overall power consumption while preventing data loss through periodic data capture and storage in non-volatile memory.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a rechargeable battery as a disposable/replaceable power source rather than requiring permanent site power infrastructure. The battery provides portable power for the electronic components, allowing the system to operate independently of site power while maintaining data accuracy through wireless transmission capabilities.
3Productivity
If wireless RF modules are added for data transmission, then paperless operation and efficiency improve, but safety risks increase in hazardous fueling environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an explosion-proof housing as an intermediary protective barrier between the wireless RF module and the hazardous fueling environment. This specialized enclosure isolates potential ignition sources while allowing wireless data transmission to occur, enabling paperless operation without compromising safety in explosive atmospheres.
4Measurement precision
If noise filtering is implemented in pulse signal processing, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller serves multiple functions including pulse signal reception, noise filtering, data accumulation, calculation, and wireless transmission control. By integrating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional device, the system achieves improved measurement precision through filtering without proportionally increasing overall device complexity, as the microcontroller handles multiple tasks simultaneously.
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 efficient, paperless fueling data acquisition and transmission, reducing manual errors and lost tickets, while operating without site power and ensuring safe communication in hazardous environments.
Implementation Method 1
The wireless data collection unit can comprise an RF module for modulating the volume values onto RF signals and for sending these signals to another device
Implementation Method 2
The wireless data collection unit can comprise software configurable hardware filters that can eliminate noise from the signals originating from the pulse transmitter
Implementation Method 3
Each software configurable hardware filter can transmit a signal into two separate pulse accumulators that can increment a pulse accumulator for each input pulse signal
Implementation Method 4
A rechargeable battery can be used to power the invention
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic fueling data acquisition and wireless communications delivery system. The unit is mounted on Aircraft Fueling Vehicles and Aircraft Fuel Servicing Hydrant Vehicles (Hydrant Vehicles) and is hardwired to an external pulse transmitter. The pulse transmitter transmits pulse signals proportional to the volume of fuel that is being pumped. A software configurable hardware filter attenuates the input signal which is then counted by a pulse accumulator. When fueling ceases, the application software can convert the pulse signal values to an equivalent volumetric total. The information can then be wirelessly communicated to other devices without the need for maintaining paper hard copies.