AIRCRAFT SHOCK STRUT HAVING A FLUID LEVEL MONITOR
First Claim
1. A method of checking for damaged optical fibers or sensors in a liquid level sensing system, the method comprising:
- transmitting a light beam down a first fiber that is optically coupled to a second fiber by a reflecting mechanism;
reflecting the light beam from the reflecting mechanism through the second fiber toward a light sensor; and
determining whether at least one of the fibers or sensors are damaged by;
checking a first reading of the light sensor when probe tips of both the first and second fibers are not submerged in a liquid;
checking a second reading of the light sensor when the probe tips are knowingly submerged in the liquid; and
comparing the first reading to the second reading.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for monitoring a liquid level in an aircraft shock strut includes a cylinder having an internal chamber sealed by a piston telescopically movable within the cylinder. The chamber contains a gas and a liquid, and a sensor assembly is provided for monitoring a condition of a level of the liquid in the chamber. The sensor assembly includes at least one probe within the chamber, and a fitting assembly allows one or more leads from the probe to pass through the wall of the strut while maintaining pressure in the chamber. The fitting assembly includes a plug molded to the one or more leads extending from the probe. The fitting assembly also includes a retainer for holding the plug in sealed relationship with a through passage in the strut.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of checking for damaged optical fibers or sensors in a liquid level sensing system, the method comprising:
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transmitting a light beam down a first fiber that is optically coupled to a second fiber by a reflecting mechanism; reflecting the light beam from the reflecting mechanism through the second fiber toward a light sensor; and determining whether at least one of the fibers or sensors are damaged by; checking a first reading of the light sensor when probe tips of both the first and second fibers are not submerged in a liquid; checking a second reading of the light sensor when the probe tips are knowingly submerged in the liquid; and comparing the first reading to the second reading. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of monitoring a liquid level in an aircraft shock strut of a landing gear system, the method comprising:
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detecting a liquid level with a plurality of probes that extend into the shock strut, the plurality of probes having at least a first probe extending by a first distance and a second probe extending by a different distance into the shock strut, each probe having a probe tip with a respective liquid level sensitivity range; transmitting signals from the probes to a processor, the signals indicative of a present level of the liquid; determining whether the liquid level is between the sensitivity range of the first probe tip; when the liquid level is within the sensitivity range of the first probe tip, monitoring an amount of time required for the liquid level to transition from one probe tip to about the other probe tip; and based on the amount of time, estimating a liquid loss rate per flight. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for detecting damaged optical fibers or sensors in a liquid level sensing system, the system comprising:
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a light sensor; a reflecting mechanism; first and second fibers optically coupled together through the reflecting mechanism, the fibers configured to reflect a light beam from the reflecting mechanism toward the light sensor; and a processor to determine whether at least one of the fibers or sensors are damaged by; processing a first signal received by the light sensor when the probe tips of both fibers are not submerged in a liquid; processing a second signal received by the light sensor when the probe tips of both fibers should be knowingly submerged in the liquid; and comparing the processed signals.
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Specification