Wireless Fuel Sensor Using Capacitive Probe Antenna

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of wires in aircraft fuel tanks for sensor systems is time-consuming and costly, adding weight and increasing maintenance expenses due to the need for routing and sealing, as well as potential issues with electromagnetic interference.

Innovation Solution

A wireless sensor system using capacitive probes with a coaxial waveguide antenna configuration, allowing for wireless data transmission and reducing the need for physical connections, which includes a sensor controller to send power and data signals to sensor units and receive measurement data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wires are used to connect sensors in fuel tanks, then sensor data can be transmitted reliably, but installation time and cost increase due to wire routing and sealing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor data transmissionVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes wires and physical connections from the fuel tank sensor system, extracting the data transmission function to be performed wirelessly through the fuel medium itself. This eliminates the need for wire routing, sealing, and associated installation time while maintaining data transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical wire-based connection system with an electromagnetic field-based wireless communication system. Sensors transmit data through electromagnetic signals that propagate through the fuel, eliminating mechanical connections and their associated installation complexities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If wires are routed through fuel tanks, then sensors can be connected, but additional weight is added due to wire structures and sealing components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor connectionVSAvoidaircraft weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes all wire-related components including wires, connectors, and sealing elements from the fuel tank system. This elimination of physical connection hardware directly reduces aircraft weight while simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical wire-based connection system is replaced with an electromagnetic field-based wireless system, eliminating the need for physical wire routing and sealing components that would add weight to the aircraft.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If wire routing and sealing are implemented, then sensor connections are secure, but maintenance time and expense increase due to additional inspection requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection integrityVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes wires and sealing components from the system, eliminating the elements that require inspection and maintenance. Without physical connections to degrade or fail, maintenance time and expense are reduced while reliability is maintained through wireless communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If wires are installed in fuel tanks, then sensors can transmit data, but electromagnetic interference from lightning or static electricity may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmissionVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the wire-based electrical connection system with an electromagnetic field-based wireless system. By using the fuel medium itself as the transmission path for electromagnetic signals, the system avoids the vulnerability of physical wires to electromagnetic interference from lightning or static electricity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution reduces installation time and cost, minimizes weight, and mitigates electromagnetic interference, enhancing aircraft performance and maintenance efficiency by eliminating the need for wire routing and sealing in fuel tanks.

Implementation Method 1

A sensor unit may be located in the fuel tank and include a capacitive probe including a first conductor and a second conductor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

transmitting a signal based on the sensor data using the capacitive probe as a transmission antenna

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9909916B2Wireless fuel sensor system

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A sensor device includes a capacitive probe including a first conductor and a second conductor. The sensor device also includes a radio to generate a signal based on a measurement associated with the capacitive probe and to provide the signal to the first conductor for transmission using the capacitive probe as a transmission antenna.