Fuel management computer

• US 3,958,107 A
• Filed: 12/09/1974
• Issued: 05/18/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Andrew C. Edelson, Soulie Levine
• Original Assignee: Andrew C. Edelson, Soulie Levine
• Inventors: Edelson, Andrew C., Levine, Soulie
• Primary Examiner(s): Gruber, Felix D.
• Application Number:
  US05/530,818
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 235/150.2, 235/150.21, 340/309.1, 340/309.4, 307/141, 307/293
• US Class Current: 701/123
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 37/14 Filling or emptying transferring fuels to adjust aircraft trim B64C
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0005 with arrangements to save energy

Abstract

An aircraft fuel management computer for notifying a pilot at a predetermined point of time to switch the fuel selector valve to begin draining fuel from a different fuel tank. A frequency divider provides a logic level at the end of time segments, each having a predetermined length, which are transmitted through an automatic/manual count circuit to activate a decoder to provide output logic levels each of which is coupled to the associated stages of a plurality of automatic program switches each preset to a position corresponding to a predetermined number of time segments. Each of the automatic program switches is coupled to a mode switch which may be set to one of the automatic program switches to time the usage of one of the fuel tanks of the aircraft for a period of time corresponding to the setting of the automatic program switch. The mode switch is coupled to reset means and alarm means so that at the end of the time segments determined by the setting of the automatic program switch to which the mode switch is set, the alarm is activated to notify the pilot to switch the mode switch to the next automatic program switch which causes the frequency divider to be reset and switch the fuel selector valve to begin using a different fuel tank. The automatic/manual count circuit has means to provide manual incrementing of the decoder. LED (light emitting diode) means provide a real time display of the setting of the mode switch and the time segment of the automatic program switch to which the mode switch is set. A final mode switch is operative in conjunction with final mode circuitry to initiate a final mode function to provide a display on the LEDs and activate the alarm to notify the pilot that the final mode has expired and the pilot is travelling on reserve fuel. The final mode switch has sufficient flexibility to initiate the final mode function either at the end of the time segments corresponding to the setting of a predetermined one of the intermediary automatic program switches or at the end of the time segments corresponding to the setting of the last program switch.

Claims

1. A fuel management computer for providing timing for usage of fuel tanks of an aircraft comprising:

signal means for generating signals at predetermined time segments,

a plurality of automatic program means, each operatively coupled to said signal means and each corresponding to a specific mode of usage of said fuel tanks,

mode control means coupled to said plurality of automatic program means for selecting one of said plurality of automatic program means in sequence for timing the usage of one of the fuel tanks of the aircraft, said mode control means being operatively coupled to said signal means to inhibit the provision of signals at the end of each mode of usage of said fuel tanks,

time segment display means operatively coupled to said signal means for providing a real time display of the time segment in which the computer is operating,

mode display means operatively coupled to said mode control means for providing a display of the mode in which the computer is operating, and

alarm means operatively coupled to said mode control means for providing an alarm signal at the end of each mode of usage to thereby enable the operator to time the usage of the fuel tanks.

2. The computer as described in claim 1 and further comprising reset means coupled between said mode control means and said signal means for enabling said signal means at the beginning of the selection of one said modes of usage.

3. The computer as described in claim 1 and wherein each of said plurality of automatic program means comprises a manually settable switch having a plurality of positions each corresponding to a time segment with each said switch being settable to provide timing of different modes of usage of said fuel tanks.

4. A computer for providing timing for a plurality of modes comprising:

signal means for generating signals at predetermined time segments,

time segment display means operatively coupled to said signal means for providing a real time display of the time segment in which the computer is operating,

a plurality of automatic program means each operatively coupled to said signal means and corresponding to a specific mode and each presettable to provide timing for a predetermined number of time segments,

mode control means coupled to said plurality of automatic program means for selecting one of said plurality of automatic program means in sequence for providing timing in each mode for a period of time segments corresponding to the setting of the selected automatic program means,

final mode means operatively coupled to said automatic program means and said mode control means and presettable to provide selectivity in varying the last mode of operation of said plurality of automatic program means to provide a final mode signal at the end of the present final mode, and

a final mode circuit operatively coupled between said final mode switch and said time segment display means to enable said time segment display means to provide a display of said final mode signal at the expiration of the final mode.

5. The computer as described in claim 4 and wherein said signal means includes circuit means for controlling the provision of signals to said plurality of automatic program means either automatically or manually.

6. The computer as described in claim 5 and wherein said circuit means includes at least one NAND gate and a NOR gate normally set to provide such signals to said plurality of automatic program means automatically at the expiration of each time segment.

7. The computer as described in claim 6 and wherein said circuit means further includes manual switch means normally set to enable said circuit means to provide signals to said plurality of automatic program means automatically at the expiration of each time segment, said manual switch means being further settable to provide a signal manually.

8. The computer as described in claim 7 and wherein said NOR gate is operatively coupled to said mode control means to inhibit the provision of signals at the end of a mode and to enable said circuit at the beginning of the next mode.

9. The computer as described in claim 4 and wherein said final mode circuit includes,

a first NOR gate coupled between said final mode switch and said time segment display means to inhibit the normal operation thereof, and

a second NOR gate coupled between said final mode switch and said time segment display means to enable said time segment display means to provide a display of said final mode signal at the expiration of the final mode.

10. A fuel management computer for providing timing for usage of fuel tanks of an aircraft comprising:

signal means for generating signals at predetermined time segments, said signal means including counting means,

a plurality of automatic program means, each operatively coupled to said signal means and each corresponding to a specific mode of usage of said fuel tanks,

mode control means coupled to said plurality of automatic program means for selecting one of said plurality of automatic program means in sequence for timing the usage of one of the fuel tanks of the aircraft,

reset means coupled between said mode control means and said counting means for resetting said counting means at the beginning of each mode of operation,

time segment display means operatively coupled to said signal means for providing a real time display of the time segment in which the computer is operating,

mode display means operatively coupled to said mode control means for providing a display of the mode in which the computer is operating, and

alarm means operatively coupled to said mode control means for providing an alarm signal at the end of each mode of usage to thereby enable the operator to time the usage of the fuel tanks.

11. A fuel management computer for providing timing for usage of fuel tanks of an aircraft comprising;

signal means for generating signals at predetermined time segments, said signal means including circuit means for the provision of signals either automatically or manually,

a plurality of automatic program means, each operatively coupled to said signal means and each corresponding to a specific mode of usage of said fuel tanks,

mode control means coupled to said plurality of automatic program means for selecting one of said plurality of automatic program means in sequence for timing the usage of one of the fuel tanks of the aircraft,

time segment display means operatively coupled to said signal means for providing a real time display of the time segment in which the computer is operating,

mode display means operatively coupled to said mode control means for providing a display of the mode in which the computer is operating, and

alarm means operatively coupled to said mode control means for providing an alarm signal at the end of each mode of usage to thereby enable the operator to time the usage of the fuel tanks.

12. A fuel management computer for providing timing for usage of fuel tanks of an aircraft comprising:

signal means for generating signals at predetermined time segments, said signal means including logic level means having a plurality of outputs,

a plurality of automatic program means, each corresponding to a specific mode of usage of said fuel tanks and each having a plurality of positions with each position coupled to a different one of said plurality of outputs of said logic level means to vary the logic level to each succeeding position in accordance with the expiration of time segments for timing the usgae of one of the fuel tanks of the aircraft,

mode control means coupled to said plurality of automatic program means for selecting one of said plurality of automatic program means in sequence for timing the usage of one of the fuel tanks of the aircraft,

time segment display means operatively coupled to said signal means for providing a real time display of the time segment in which the computer is operating,

mode display means operatively coupled to said mode control means for providing a display of the mode in which the computer is operating, and

alarm means operatively coupled to said mode control means for providing an alarm signal at the end of each mode of usage to thereby enable the operator to time the usage of the fuel tanks.

13. A fuel management computer for providing timing for usage of fuel tanks of an aircraft comprising:

signal means for generating signals at predetermined time segments,

a plurality of automatic program means, each operatively coupled to said signal means and each corresponding to a specific mode of usage of said fuel tanks,

mode control means coupled to said plurality of automatic program means for selecting one of said plurality of automatic program means in sequence for timing the usage of one of the fuel tanks of the aircraft,

time segment display means operatively coupled to said signal means, said time segment display means including a LED driver and a LED readout coupled to said LED driver for providing a real time display of the time segment in which the computer is operating,

mode display means operatively coupled to said mode control means for providing a display of the mode in which the computer is operating, and

alarm means operatively coupled to said mode control means for providing an alarm signal at the end of each mode of usage to thereby enable the operator to time the usage of the fuel tanks.

14. A fuel management computer for providing timing for usage of fuel tanks of an aircraft comprising:

signal means for generating signals at predetermined time segments,

a plurality of automatic program means, each operatively coupled to said signal means and each corresponding to a specific mode of usage of said fuel tanks,

mode control means coupled to said plurality of automatic program means for selecting one of said plurality of automatic program means in sequence for timing the usage of one of the fuel tanks of the aircraft, said mode control means including a switch having at least two poles with one pole adapted to be coupled to one of said plurality of automatic program switches,

time segment display means operatively coupled to said signal means for providing a real time display of the time segment in which the computer is operating,

mode display means operatively coupled to the second pole of said mode control means for providing a display of the mode in which the computer is operating, and

alarm means operatively coupled to said mode control means for providing an alarm signal at the end of each mode of usage to thereby enable the operator to time the usage of the fuel tanks.

15. The computer as described in claim 14 and wherein said mode display means includes,

a diode matrix coupled to said second pole for providing an encoded signal corresponding to the position of said mode control means,

Led driver means coupled to the output of said diode matrix, and

Led readout means coupled to said LED driver means for providing a display of the mode in which the computer is operating.

17. The computer as described in claim 15 and wherrein said final mode means includes a switch having first pole means operatively coupled to inhibit each automatic program switch corresponding to each mode subsequent to said selective mode.

18. The computer as described in claim 15 and further comprising final mode circuit means operatively coupled between said final mode means and said time segment display means for displaying said final mode signal on said time segment display means at the end of the final mode.

19. The computer as described in claim 15 and further comprising final mode circuit means operatively coupled between said final mode means and said mode display means for displaying said final mode signal on said mode display means at the end of the preset final mode.

20. The device as described in claim 15 and further comprising final mode alarm means operatively coupled to said final mode means and said alarm means for audibly providing said final mode signal.

21. The computer as described in claim 15 and wherein said time segment display means includes a time segment LED driver and a time segment LED readout coupled to said LED driver for providing a real time display of the time segment in which the system is operating, and

said mode display means includes a mode display LED driver coupled to the output of said diode matrix and a mode display readout coupled to said LED driver for providing a display of the mode in which the computer is operating and further including,

first final mode circuit means coupled between said final mode means and said time segment display means for inhibiting said time segment LED driver and enabling said time segment LED readout to provide a display of said final mode signal, and

second final mode circuit means coupled between said final mode means and said mode display means for inhibiting said mode display LED driver and enabling said mode display LED readout to provide a display of said final mode signal.

16. A fuel management computer for providing timing for usage of fuel tanks of an aircraft comprising:

signal means for generating signals at predetermined time segments,

a plurality of automatic program means, each operatively coupled to said signal means and each corresponding to a specific mode of usage of said fuel tanks,

mode control means coupled to said plurality of automatic program means for selecting one of said plurality of automatic program means in sequence for timing the usage of one of the fuel tanks of the aircraft,

time segment display means operatively coupled to said signal means for providing a real time display of the time segment in which the computer is operating,

mode display means operatively coupled to said mode control means for providing a display of the mode in which the computer is operating,

alarm means operatively coupled to said mode control means for providing an alarm signal at the end of each mode of usage to thereby enable the operator to time the usage of the fuel tanks, and

final mode means operatively coupled to said automatic program means and said mode control means and presettable to provide selectivity in varying the last mode of operation of the computer and to provide a final mode signal at the end of the preset final mode.

22. A computer for providing timing for a plurality of modes comprising:

signal means for generating signals at predetermined time segments,

a plurality of automatic program means each operatively coupled to said signal means and corresponding to a specific mode and each presettable to provide timing for a predetermined number of time segments,

mode control means coupled to said plurality of automatic program means for selecting one of said plurality of automatic program means in sequence for providing timing in each mode for a period of time segments corresponding to the setting of the selected automatic program means,

mode display means operatively coupled to said mode control means for providing a display of the mode in which the computer is operating,

final mode means operatively coupled to said automatic program means and said mode control means and presettable to provide selectivity in varying the last mode of operation of said plurality of automatic program means to provide a final mode signal at the end of the preset final mode, and

a final mode circuit coupled between said final mode means and said mode display means to provide a display of said final mode signal at the expiration of the final mode.

23. The computer as described in claim 22 and wherein said final mode circuit includes:

a first NOR gate coupled between said final mode switch and said mode display means to inhibit the normal operation thereof, and

a second NOR gate coupled between said final mode switch and said mode display means to enable said mode display means to provide a display of said final mode signal at the expiration of the final mode.

24. A computer for providing timing for a plurality of modes comprising:

signal means for generating signals at predetermined time segments,

a plurality of automatic program means each operatively coupled to said signal means and corresponding to a specific mode and each presettable to provide timing for a predetermined number of time segments,

mode control means coupled to said plurality of automatic program means for selecting one of said plurality of automatic program means in sequence for providing timing in each mode for a period of time segments corresponding to the setting of the selected automatic program means,

final mode means operatively coupled to said automatic program means and said mode control means and presettable to provide selectivity in varying the last mode of operation of said plurality of automatic program means to provide a final mode signal at the end of the preset final mode, and

final mode alarm means operatively coupled to said final mode means to provide an audible final mode signal.

25. The computer as described in claim 24 and wherein said final mode alarm means includes a NOR gate operatively coupled to timing means to provide a distinct audible final mode signal.

26. A computer for providing timing for a plurality of modes comprising:

signal means for generating signals at predetermined time segments,

a plurality of automatic program means each operatively coupled to said signal means and corresponding to a specific mode and each presettable to provide timing for a predetermined number of time segments,

mode control means coupled to said plurality of automatic program means for selecting one of said plurality of automatic program means in sequence for providing timing in each mode for a period of time segments corresponding to the setting of the selected automatic program means,

counter reset circuit means operatively coupled between said mode control means and said signal means for resetting said signal means at the beginning of the selection of one of said plurality of automatic program means, and

final mode means operatively coupled to said automatic program means and said mode control means and presettable to provide selectivity in varying the last mode of operation of the computer to provide a final mode signal at the end of the preset final mode.

27. The computer as described in claim 26 and wherein said counter reset circuit means includes at least two NAND gates, each having inputs coupled to alternate settings of the mode control means to provide a signal at the outputs thereof at the beginning of alternate modes, and timing means operatively coupled to the outputs of said two NAND gates to combine the outputs of said NAND gates to provide a reset signal to said signal means at the beginning of each mode.

28. A computer for providing timing for a plurality of modes comprising:

signal means for generating signals at predetermined time segments,

a plurality of automatic program means each operatively coupled to said signal means and corresponding to a specific mode and each presettable to provide timing for a predetermined number of time segments,

mode control means coupled to said plurality of automatic program means for selecting one of said plurality of automatic program means in sequence for providing timing in each mode for a period of time segments corresponding to the setting of the selected automatic program means,

a diode matrix operatively coupled to said mode control means to provide output signals corresponding to the mode in which the system is operating,

mode display means coupled to said diode matrix for providing a display of the mode in which the system is operating, and

final mode means operatively coupled to said automatic program means and said mode control means and presettable to provide selectivity in varying the last mode of operation of the computer to provide a final mode signal at the end of the preset final mode.