FUEL GAUGING SYSTEM AT IDENTIFICATION OF FUEL GRADE BY ITS THEMAL CONDUCTIVITY AND LIGHT ABSORPTION Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: aircraft instrumentation engineering; check of fuel capacity of aircraft. SUBSTANCE: fuel gauging system is provided with sensors mounted in fuel tanks for measuring the following present parameters: level and temperature of fuel and its characteristic parameters (heat conductivity and light absorption) in each fuel tank. Level of fuel is measured in at least three points of tank surface not lying on one straight line. Volume is fuel is determined in on-board computer by level of fuel taking into account geometric characteristics of tank. Grade of fuel or ratio of different grades of fuel are determined in on-board computer by characteristic parameters and temperature. Density of fuel in tank is determined by grade of fuel mixture and by temperature of fuel in fuel parameter driver included in on-board computer. Mass of fuel in tank is determined by density and volume of fuel in tank calculated in fuel volume calculator included in on-board computer and in mass calculator also included in on-board computer. Then, total mass of fuel is determined in summing-up unit. EFFECT: enhanced accuracy of determination of fuel capacity at temperature and grade spread. 1 dwg