Multiple-sensor measuring device for on-board gauging probe

• US 8,191,419 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2007
• Issued: 06/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus
• Original Assignee: Airbus
• Inventors: Wilby, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron E
• Assistant Examiner(s): DeVito, Alex
• Application Number:
  US12/441,486
• Publication Number:
  US 20090234597A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,723 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 73/304.C
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/268 mounting arrangements of probes

Abstract

A multiple-sensor device for a gauging system including: an insert configured to be inserted along an axis in a capacitive probe so as to assume a predetermined axial position with regard to the probe; a support on which a plurality of sensors are mounted; and a retaining mechanism to maintain the support at a predetermined distance from the insert along the axis.

Claims

1. A multiple-sensor measurement device for a gauging system, comprising:

an insert configured to be inserted along an axis in a capacitive probe so as to assume a predetermined axial position with regard to the probe;

a support, made of an insulating material, on which a plurality of sensors is mounted, comprising at least one MEMS sensor; and

retaining means to maintain the support at a predetermined distance from the insert along the axis.

2. The measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises at least one pressure sensor and one density sensor.

3. The measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises at least one permittivity sensor.

4. The measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises sensors identical in nature.

5. The measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the retaining means comprises first retaining means mounted on the insert and second retaining means mounted on the first retaining means using quick securing means, the support being captive between the first and the second retaining means when the quick securing means are locked.

6. The measurement device according to claim 5, wherein the insert has an annular shape and a threaded axial bore.

7. The measurement device according to claim 6, wherein the first retaining means includes a first cylindrical piece, coaxial with the insert, and ending at its upper portion by a threaded tubular head configured to be screwed into the bore, the cylindrical piece being pierced by an axial hole, all the way through.

8. The measurement device according to claim 7, wherein the second retaining means includes a second cylindrical piece, coaxial with the first cylindrical piece, and pierced by an axial hole, all the way through.

13. The measurement device according to claim 8, wherein the quick securing means comprises slugs mounted on one of the first and second cylindrical pieces and corresponding bores in the other piece, and the slugs are dimensioned to engage forcibly in the corresponding bores.

14. The measurement device according to claim 8, wherein the quick securing means comprises snap-in tabs that are an integral part of one of the first and second cylindrical pieces and a corresponding groove in the other piece, and the tabs are configured to snap into the corresponding groove.

15. A fuel gauging system onboard an aircraft comprising:

a plurality of capacitive probes installed at predetermined heights in a plurality of fuel tanks;

a plurality of multiple-sensor measurement devices according to claim 1, the devices being mounted on the capacitive probes, respectively;

a plurality of local processors, each local processor configured to perform processing of measurement data coming from the capacitive probes, of the multiple-sensor measurement devices to which it is connected;

a central processor configured to calculate, from the data processed and from geometric characteristics of the plurality of tanks, the quantity of fuel they contain.

16. The gauging system according to claim 15, further comprising a plurality of auxiliary sensors installed in the plurality of tanks, each auxiliary sensor belonging to a set including a high level sensor, a low level sensor, a water sensor, and a temperature sensor, each auxiliary sensor being connected to one of the local processors, the one of the local processors configured to process the measurement data coming from the auxiliary sensor.

17. The gauging system according to claim 16, wherein the auxiliary sensors are MEMS sensors.

18. The gauging system according to claim 17, wherein each MEMS sensor is mounted on the inner surface of a caliper including feet bolted onto an internal structure of the aircraft.

19. The measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the support is an annular film.

20. The measurement device according to claim 1, wherein

the retaining means comprises first retaining means and second retaining means,

the support is captive between the first and second retaining means, and

the support is freely engaged between the first and second retaining means.

9. A multiple-sensor measurement device for a gauging system, comprising:

an insert configured to be inserted along an axis in a capacitive probe so as to assume a predetermined axial position with regard to the probe;

a support on which a plurality of sensors is mounted, comprising at least one MEMS sensor; and

retaining means to maintain the support at a predetermined distance from the insert along the axis, wherein

the retaining means comprises first retaining means mounted on the insert and second retaining means mounted on the first retaining means using quick securing means, the support being captive between the first and the second retaining means when the quick securing means are locked,

the insert has an annular shape and a threaded axial bore,

the first retaining means includes a first cylindrical piece, coaxial with the insert, and ending at its upper portion by a threaded tubular head configured to be screwed into the bore, the cylindrical piece being pierced by an axial hole, all the way through,

the second retaining means includes a second cylindrical piece, coaxial with the first cylindrical piece, and pierced by an axial hole, all the way through, and

first and second circular channels are arranged across from each other, in a lower surface of the first cylindrical piece and in an upper surface of the second cylindrical piece, respectively, the support being formed by an annular film whereof the upper portion is freely engaged in the first channel and the lower portion is freely engaged in the second channel.

10. The measurement device according to claim 9, wherein a connection interface shared by different sensors is mounted at the outer surface of the annular film, and connection wires between the sensors and the interface are buried in the material of the film.

11. The measurement device according to claim 10, wherein the material of the film is polycarbonate.

12. The measurement device according to claim 9, wherein the sensors are mounted on the inner surface of the annular film.