A fuel system for an aircraft includes a cryogenic storage system for hydrogen fuel having an inner tank configured for direct contact with cryogenic hydrogen therein and an outer tank surrounding the inner tank and defined by a load-bearing element of the aircraft. The outer tank is spaced apart from the inner tank by an insulation gap. A first guided wave sensor array is coupled to the outer tank.
A Fabry-Pérot sensor assembly includes an optical element having a first end opposite a second end relative to a longitudinal axis of the Fabry-Perot sensor assembly. A first optical member is provided at the first end. A second optical member provided at the second end is a diaphragm that deflects more than the first optical member in response to pressure changes external to the optical element. An optical cavity is provided between the first end and the second end. A ring-shaped mirror is attached to a surface of the first optical member facing the second optical member. The ring-shaped mirror does not interfere with light propagation at an end of a bore that interfaces with the first optical member and configured to contain an optical fiber.
G01D 5/26 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using optical means, i.e. using infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
G01J 3/26 - Generating the spectrumMonochromators using multiple reflection, e.g. Fabry-Perot interferometer, variable interference filter
G01K 11/12 - Measuring temperature based on physical or chemical changes not covered by group , , , or using changes in colour, translucency or reflectance
G01K 11/32 - Measuring temperature based on physical or chemical changes not covered by group , , , or using changes in transmittance, scattering or luminescence in optical fibres
G01L 11/02 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by means not provided for in group or by optical means
4.
RADIUSED SENSORS FOR MEASURING PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE
A Fabry-Pérot sensor assembly includes an optical element defining a Fabry-Pérot optical cavity therein. A sensor ferrule is affixed to the optical element. The sensor ferrule is configured to physically connect to an optical fiber, optically aligning and spacing the optical fiber with the optical cavity. The sensor ferrule defines a bore for receiving the optical fiber. The bore extends along a longitudinal axis that extends to the optical element. The optical cavity is a second optical member defined between a first optical member and a third optical member spaced apart from the first optical member along the longitudinal axis. At least one of the first optical member and the third optical member includes a radiused surface bounding the optical cavity and spanning across the optical cavity laterally relative to the longitudinal axis.
B24B 1/00 - Processes of grinding or polishingUse of auxiliary equipment in connection with such processes
G01K 5/58 - Measuring temperature based on the expansion or contraction of a material the material being a solid constrained so that expansion or contraction causes a deformation of the solid the solid body being constrained at more than one point, e.g. rod, plate, diaphragm
G01L 7/08 - Measuring the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by mechanical or fluid pressure-sensitive elements in the form of elastically-deformable gauges of the flexible-diaphragm type
G02B 1/02 - Optical elements characterised by the material of which they are madeOptical coatings for optical elements made of crystals, e.g. rock-salt, semiconductors
Apparatus and associated methods relate to measuring pressure of an external environment using a graded index (GRIN) lens and first and second Fabry-Perot interferometers, each axially aligned with one another. The GRIN lens collimates a beam diverging from a face of an optical fiber so as to direct the collimated beam to the first and second Fabry-Perot interferometers. The first Fabry-Perot interferometer is pressure isolated from the external environment but not temperature isolated. Therefore, the resonant frequency of the first Fabry-Perot interferometer is indicative of temperature. The second Fabry-Perot interferometer has a cavity that changes dimension in response to changes in pressure and temperature of the external atmosphere. The second Fabry-Perot interferometers has a second resonant frequency that is not integer multiple of the first resonant frequency. Pressure is determined based on the first and second resonant frequencies.
G01L 9/00 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by electric or magnetic pressure-sensitive elementsTransmitting or indicating the displacement of mechanical pressure-sensitive elements, used to measure the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or fluent solid material, by electric or magnetic means
6.
Structural health monitoring of cryogenic fuel tanks
A method of health monitoring aircraft fuel system structures can include monitoring guided waves emitted by at least one guided wave emitter mounted to an inner hydrogen tank using at least one guided wave detector mounted to the inner hydrogen tank to monitor for a change versus a first baseline. The method can include monitoring guided waves emitted by at least one guided wave emitter mounted to an outer hydrogen tank surrounding the inner hydrogen tank using at least one guided wave detector mounted to the outer tank to monitor for a change versus a second baseline. The method includes outputting an alert to at least one of aircraft avionics and/or an onboard integrated Vehicle Health Management system (IVHM) if a change versus either or both of the first or second baselines is detected.
A system includes an aircraft fuel tank defining an interior configured to store fuel for flight. The interior is defined by a plurality of tank walls including a vertical wing spar of a wing. An opening is defined through the vertical wing spar. A guide tube has a first end sealingly engaged in the opening of the vertical wing spar to prevent leakage between the guide tube and the opening. An optic fiber extends through the guide tube, sealingly engaged to the first end of the guide tube to prevent leakage between the optic fiber and the first end of the guide tube. An optical pressure sensor is optically coupled to the optic fiber proximate a second end of the guide tube opposite the first end.
B64D 37/04 - Arrangement thereof in or on aircraft
B64D 45/00 - Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for
G01L 11/02 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by means not provided for in group or by optical means
G01L 19/00 - Details of, or accessories for, apparatus for measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluent medium insofar as such details or accessories are not special to particular types of pressure gauges
A Fabry-Perot sensor assembly includes an optical element defining a Fabry-Perot optical cavity therein. A ferrule is affixed to the optical element. The ferrule is configured to physically connect to an optic fiber, aligning the optic fiber optically with the cavity. The optical element includes a MgA12O4 spinel or aluminum oxynitride AI23N27O5. A method of making an Fabry-Perot optical cavity includes using a ceramic processing etching process to remove material from a first optical member to form the cavity therein, leaving a rim of the optical member surrounding the cavity peripherally. The method includes affixing a second optical member to the rim to enclose the cavity.
G01D 5/26 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using optical means, i.e. using infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
G01D 21/02 - Measuring two or more variables by means not covered by a single other subclass
G01K 11/12 - Measuring temperature based on physical or chemical changes not covered by group , , , or using changes in colour, translucency or reflectance
G01L 7/08 - Measuring the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by mechanical or fluid pressure-sensitive elements in the form of elastically-deformable gauges of the flexible-diaphragm type
G01L 11/02 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by means not provided for in group or by optical means
A thermo-optic coefficient measurement system can include a housing structure configured to retain at least a first plate sample, a second plate sample, and a third plate sample in a stacked, alternating stagger arrangement such that a gap exists between the first plate sample and the third plate sample that is the thickness of the second plate sample. The system can also include a first optical device connected to the housing to output a first laser configured to be coincident with the first plate sample and the third plate sample. The first optical device can be configured to receive a first return signal. The system can also include a second optical device connected to the housing to output a second laser configured to be coincident with the second plate sample, the second optical device can be configured to receive a second return signal. The system can include an optical interrogator module configured to be connected to the first optical device to output the first laser thereto and to receive the first return signal therefrom. The optical interrogator module can be configured to be connected to the second optical device to output the second laser thereto and to receive the second return signal therefrom. The optical interrogator module can be configured to determine a thermo-optical coefficient as a function of the first return signal and the second return signal at a plurality of temperatures.
A Fabry-Pérot sensor assembly includes an optical element defining a Fabry-Pérot optical cavity therein. A sensor ferrule is affixed to the optical element. The sensor ferrule is configured to physically connect to an optical fiber, optically aligning and spacing the optical fiber with the optical cavity. The sensor ferrule defines a bore for receiving the optical fiber. The bore extends along a longitudinal axis that extends to the optical element. The optical cavity is a second optical member defined between a first optical member and a third optical member spaced apart from the first optical member along the longitudinal axis. The first optical member includes a curved lens surface facing away from the optical cavity and into the bore, configured to collimate light passing through the first optical member.
G01L 9/00 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by electric or magnetic pressure-sensitive elementsTransmitting or indicating the displacement of mechanical pressure-sensitive elements, used to measure the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or fluent solid material, by electric or magnetic means
G01K 5/58 - Measuring temperature based on the expansion or contraction of a material the material being a solid constrained so that expansion or contraction causes a deformation of the solid the solid body being constrained at more than one point, e.g. rod, plate, diaphragm
11.
LIQUID LEVEL SENSING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING LIQUID LEVEL
A liquid level sensing system includes a sensing probe including an axial guided wave (AGW) transducer, the AGW transducer including a sensing element, and a rod operatively associated with the AGW transducer, the AGW transducer operatively connected to a first end of the rod. The liquid level sensing systems includes a liquid tank, such that a second end of the rod extends through an opening in an inner wall of the liquid tank into the liquid tank, the first end of the rod and the AGW transducer being outside of the inner wall of the liquid-hydrogen tank.
G01F 23/2965 - Measuring attenuation of transmitted waves
G01F 23/14 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measurement of pressure
A Fabry-Pérot sensor assembly includes an optical element defining a Fabry-Pérot optical cavity therein. A sensor ferrule is affixed to the optical element. The sensor ferrule is configured to physically connect to an optical fiber, optically aligning and spacing the optical fiber with the optical cavity. The sensor ferrule defines a bore for receiving the optical fiber. The bore extends along a longitudinal axis that extends to the optical element. The optical cavity is a second optical member defined between a first optical member and a third optical member spaced apart from the first optical member along the longitudinal axis. At least one of the first optical member and the third optical member includes a radiused surface bounding the optical cavity and spanning across the optical cavity laterally relative to the longitudinal axis.
G01D 5/353 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using optical means, i.e. using infrared, visible or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre
G01K 11/3213 - Measuring temperature based on physical or chemical changes not covered by group , , , or using changes in transmittance, scattering or luminescence in optical fibres at discrete locations in the fibre, e.g. using Bragg scattering using changes in luminescence, e.g. at the distal end of the fibres
G01L 11/02 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by means not provided for in group or by optical means
A Fabry-Pérot sensor assembly includes an optical element defining a Fabry-Pérot optical cavity therein. A sensor ferrule is affixed to the optical element. The sensor ferrule is configured to physically connect to an optical fiber, aligning the optical fiber optically with the cavity. The optical element includes a LaGd doped hafnium or zirconium oxide ceramic or Nd:YAG ceramic or single crystals.
G01L 9/00 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by electric or magnetic pressure-sensitive elementsTransmitting or indicating the displacement of mechanical pressure-sensitive elements, used to measure the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or fluent solid material, by electric or magnetic means
G01L 19/00 - Details of, or accessories for, apparatus for measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluent medium insofar as such details or accessories are not special to particular types of pressure gauges
A system includes an illuminator. A first end of an optic fiber is operatively connected to the illuminator for transmitting illumination along the length of the optic fiber. An optical sensor operatively connected to the second end for reflecting sensor returns of the illumination back along the length of the optic fiber. A set of fiber Bragg grating (FBGs) is formed in the optic fiber between the first end and the optical sensor. A delay span is included in the optic fiber between the FBGs and the optical sensor. An interrogator is operatively connected to the first end to receive the sensor returns and the FBG returns from the optic fiber. The delay span has a length along the fiber that is configured to create a delay between when the interrogator receives the FBG returns and when the interrogator receives the sensor return.
G01D 5/353 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using optical means, i.e. using infrared, visible or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre
H04B 10/071 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR]
A smart sensor can include a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) configured to receive analog signals from a sensor module, and a plurality of channel modules. Each channel module can be connected to a respective ADC and each channel module can include a limited data processing module configured to provide initial processing. The sensor can include a data control module operatively connected to each of the plurality of channel modules and configured to select a selected channel of the plurality of channels to receive initially processed data from the limited data processing module of the selected channel. The data control module can be configured to interface with external memory to store data to the external memory and/or to read data from the external memory. The sensor can include a batch processing module operatively connected to the data control module and configured to receive the initially processed data of the selected channel from the data control module to provide further processing of the initially processed data.
H04L 67/12 - Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
H04L 67/10 - Protocols in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network
H04Q 9/00 - Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a dongle for a sensor system can include a pass-through signal carrier configured to allow signals from a sensor discretely associated with the dongle to pass through the dongle to a data concentrator via a first connection, and a non-volatile memory configured to connect to the data concentrator via a second connection. The nonvolatile memory can include calibration data for the sensor that is associated with the dongle.
5. A method of making an Fabry-Pérot optical cavity includes using a ceramic processing etching process to remove material from a first optical member to form the cavity therein, leaving a rim of the optical member surrounding the cavity peripherally. The method includes affixing a second optical member to the rim to enclose the cavity.
A MEMS accelerometer system can include a proof mass device having a proof mass configured to move from an initial position in response to an input acceleration, a transducer operatively connected to the proof mass device to output a transducer signal correlating to a movement and/or position of the proof mass, a driver operatively connected to the proof mass device and configured to drive the proof mass, and a controller operatively connected to the driver to control the driver. The controller is operatively connected to the transducer to receive the transducer signal and output a drive signal to the driver to drive the proof mass toward an initial position. The system can include an observer module operatively connected to the controller to receive the drive signal. The observer module can be operatively connected to the transducer to receive the transducer signal. The observer module can be configured to deterministically estimate the input acceleration based on the transducer signal and the drive signal based on a deterministic model. The observer module can be configured to output an estimated input acceleration signal.
G01P 15/125 - Measuring accelerationMeasuring decelerationMeasuring shock, i.e. sudden change of acceleration by making use of inertia forces with conversion into electric or magnetic values by capacitive pick-up
G01D 1/16 - Measuring arrangements giving results other than momentary value of variable, of general application giving a value which is a function of two or more values, e.g. product or ratio
G01P 15/08 - Measuring accelerationMeasuring decelerationMeasuring shock, i.e. sudden change of acceleration by making use of inertia forces with conversion into electric or magnetic values
G01P 15/13 - Measuring accelerationMeasuring decelerationMeasuring shock, i.e. sudden change of acceleration by making use of inertia forces with conversion into electric or magnetic values by measuring the force required to restore a proofmass subjected to inertial forces to a null position
G06N 7/00 - Computing arrangements based on specific mathematical models
A liquid level measurement system includes a wave guide strip including a first end and a second end. The measurement system includes a sensor array positioned more proximate to the first end than the second end. The wave guide strip is configured and adapted to guide waves emitted from the sensor array. A method for determining a liquid level measurement in a fluid tank includes emitting an excitation from a transmitter of a sensor array along a wave guide strip into the fluid tank, thereby generating a plurality of guided waves. The method includes receiving at least one reflected wave with at least one receiver of the sensor array. The method includes determining a liquid level within the fluid tank by correlating at least one characteristic of the at least one reflected wave to a liquid level in the fluid tank.
In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a sensing system includes a sensor mat configured to conform to a component having a central axis, a first sensor cluster disposed on or in the sensor mat configured to sense one or more conditions at a first location on the component, and a second sensor cluster disposed on or in the sensor mat configured to sense one or more conditions at a second location circumferentially spaced to the first location. In embodiments, the second location can be diametrically opposed to the first location.
G01L 1/24 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations of optical properties of material when it is stressed, e.g. by photoelastic stress analysis
G01K 11/3206 - Measuring temperature based on physical or chemical changes not covered by group , , , or using changes in transmittance, scattering or luminescence in optical fibres at discrete locations in the fibre, e.g. using Bragg scattering
21.
Methods and algorithms for liquid level measurement
In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a method for measuring a liquid level in a liquid container includes, emitting one or more guided waves from a guided wave sensor array through a liquid volume within a liquid container, the guided wave sensor array coupled to the liquid container, detecting the one or more guided waves with at least one of the guided wave sensor array or a second guided wave sensor array, and determining a liquid level of the liquid container using the one or more detected guided waves.
G01F 23/18 - Indicating, recording, or alarm devices actuated electrically
G01F 23/16 - Indicating, recording, or alarm devices being actuated by mechanical or fluid means, e.g. using gas, mercury, or a diaphragm as transmitting element, or by a column of liquid
An optical sensor includes an optic fiber optically coupled to a cavity. An optical path is defined from the fiber, across the cavity, and reflected back across the cavity back into the fiber. The cavity is an open cavity that is in fluid communication with an environment ambient to the cavity for detection of changes in index of refraction inside the cavity due to whether the environment ambient to the cavity is gaseous or liquid.
A system includes an optical pressure sensor. A controller is operatively connected to receive input from the optical pressure sensor. An output connection is operatively connected to communicate output data from the controller. The controller includes machine readable instructions configured to cause the controller to receive data from an optical pressure sensor, detect an accumulation of contaminant on the optical pressure sensor, and initiate a corrective action through the output connection in response to detecting the accumulation of contaminant.
G01L 9/00 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by electric or magnetic pressure-sensitive elementsTransmitting or indicating the displacement of mechanical pressure-sensitive elements, used to measure the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or fluent solid material, by electric or magnetic means
G01L 9/06 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by electric or magnetic pressure-sensitive elementsTransmitting or indicating the displacement of mechanical pressure-sensitive elements, used to measure the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or fluent solid material, by electric or magnetic means by making use of variations in ohmic resistance, e.g. of potentiometers of piezo-resistive devices
G01L 27/00 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus for measuring fluid pressure
G01F 23/16 - Indicating, recording, or alarm devices being actuated by mechanical or fluid means, e.g. using gas, mercury, or a diaphragm as transmitting element, or by a column of liquid
B64D 15/22 - Automatic initiation by icing detector
24.
Contamination detection for optical pressure sensors
A system includes an optical pressure sensor. A controller is operatively connected to receive input from the optical pressure sensor. An output connection is operatively connected to communicate output data from the controller. The controller includes machine readable instructions configured to cause the controller to receive data from an optical pressure sensor, detect an accumulation of contaminant on the optical pressure sensor, and initiate a corrective action through the output connection in response to detecting the accumulation of contaminant.
G01F 23/16 - Indicating, recording, or alarm devices being actuated by mechanical or fluid means, e.g. using gas, mercury, or a diaphragm as transmitting element, or by a column of liquid
G01F 23/14 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measurement of pressure
G01F 25/20 - Testing or calibration of apparatus for measuring volume, volume flow or liquid level or for metering by volume of apparatus for measuring liquid level
G01N 21/31 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry
An optical sensor includes an optic fiber optically coupled to a cavity. An optical path is defined from the fiber, across the cavity, and reflected back across the cavity back into the fiber. The cavity is an open cavity that is in fluid communication with an environment ambient to the cavity for detection of changes in index of refraction inside the cavity due to whether the environment ambient to the cavity is gaseous or liquid.
A resistance measurement system includes a plurality of resistors connected in series along a single line. The plurality of resistors includes N resistors. The system includes a plurality of capacitors for at least N−1 of the resistors. Each capacitor is connected in parallel to the single line with a respective resistor to form a respective resistor-capacitor (RC) pair. Each RC pair includes a different time constant such that each RC pair reaches a steady state voltage at a different time. The system includes a current supply connected to the single line to supply a current to the line. The system includes a control module configured to sense a total voltage across the single line and to successively determine resistance of each resistor from the total voltage based on the current, a known total steady state voltage, and known time-to-steady-state-voltages of each RC pair and/or resistors.
A diode voltage measurement system includes a plurality of diodes connected in series along a single line. The plurality of diodes include N diodes. The system includes a plurality of capacitors for at least N−1 of the diodes. Each capacitor is connected in parallel to the single line with a respective diode to form a respective diode-capacitor (DC) pair. Each DC pair is configured such that each DC pair reaches a steady state voltage at a different time. The system includes a current supply connected to the single line to supply a current to the line. The system includes a control module configured to sense a total voltage across the single line and to successively determine voltage of each diode from the total voltage based on the current, a known total steady state voltage, and known time-to-steady-state-voltages of each DC pair and/or diode.
G01R 19/00 - Arrangements for measuring currents or voltages or for indicating presence or sign thereof
G01R 27/26 - Measuring inductance or capacitanceMeasuring quality factor, e.g. by using the resonance methodMeasuring loss factorMeasuring dielectric constants
28.
Sliding discrete Fourier transform (DFT) bins for fuel quantity measurements
A method includes receiving wavelength domain data for a time step, performing a Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) to transform the wavelength domain data for the time step into frequency domain data for the time step only for the limited set of frequency bins associated with a frequency of interest, calculating pressure based on the frequency domain data for the time step, and updating the frequency of interest and the limited set of frequency bins. The method includes repeating receiving wavelength data for subsequent time steps, performing a DFT to transform the wavelength data for the respective subsequent time steps, calculating pressure for each subsequent time step, and updating the frequency of interest and limited set of frequency bins for each subsequent time step. The method includes outputting pressure data based on calculating pressure for the subsequent time steps.
G01L 9/00 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by electric or magnetic pressure-sensitive elementsTransmitting or indicating the displacement of mechanical pressure-sensitive elements, used to measure the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or fluent solid material, by electric or magnetic means
B64D 37/04 - Arrangement thereof in or on aircraft
G01F 23/14 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measurement of pressure
In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a fuel quantity measurement system includes, one or more pressure sensors are configured to operatively connect external to a fuel volume of a fuel tank, and can be operative to sense and output a signal indicative of a pressure outside of the fuel volume. One or more hollow pressure tubes can be configured to be disposed in the fuel volume in the fuel tank. The one or more hollow tubes can have a first end in fluid communication with the fuel volume and a second end configured to be sealed against an ambient environment external to the fuel tank. One or more temperature sensors can be configured to operatively connect within the fuel tank, operative to sense and output a signal indicative of a temperature of the fuel tank.
G01F 22/02 - Methods or apparatus for measuring volume of fluids or fluent solid material, not otherwise provided for involving measurement of pressure
A system (e.g., a power and communication system for remote components) can include a first wire, a second wire, and a first module operatively connected to the first and second wire. The first module can be configured to output power to and to communicate over the first wire and second wire. The system can include a second module operatively connected to the first module by the first wire and the second wire. The second module can be configured to receive power from the first module and to communicate with the first module over the first wire and/or second wire. The first module can be configured to modify a voltage on at least the first wire to signal to the second module to provide serial communication to the first module via the first wire and/or second wire.
A reconfigurable edge computing node of a complex system is provided, the edge computing node including a core module executing selectable core software, and selectable input module(s) and/or output module(s) which can be installed in corresponding input/output ports, wherein each of the input module(s) or output module(s) provides a conduit for moving data to or from the complex system, with selections being chosen from catalogs of available input modules, available output modules, and available core software. The edge computing node provides reconfiguration upon attachment of any input or output module(s), or upon installation of any core software, automatically reconfiguring the edge computing node to enable communication between the core module and the input module(s) and output module(s) using compatible protocols. Reconfiguration of the edge computing node has been previously tested for each allowable combination of available selections of the input and output module(s) to satisfy a certification requirement.
A method for validating a capacitance measurement device including, sending a first drive signal from a capacitance measurement device to a capacitor emulator, modifying the first drive signal by an four quadrant analog multiplier, directing the modified signal across a capacitor to produce a return signal, sending the return signal to the capacitance measurement device to validate the capacitor, and validating the return signal against an expected return signal by the capacitance measurement device.
G01F 25/20 - Testing or calibration of apparatus for measuring volume, volume flow or liquid level or for metering by volume of apparatus for measuring liquid level
G01F 23/263 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields by measuring variations in capacitance of capacitors
G01F 23/26 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields
33.
METHOD FOR IMPROVING THE OPERATIONAL AVAILABILITY OF AN AIRCRAFT FLEET
A method including identifying a plurality of maintenance schedules for a plurality of aircraft of a fleet of aircrafts each of which satisfy a minimum maintenance free operating period, monitoring and measuring a health of each of the aircrafts, utilizing the measured heath of the aircrafts within a degradation model in order to produce a plurality possible maintenance events for each of the aircrafts, each of the possible maintenance events associated with a different maintenance time, identifying at least one maintenance event for each aircraft in the fleet of aircraft using the set of possible maintenance events found for each aircraft from the plurality of maintenance schedules resulting in number of aircraft down for maintenance below a predetermined threshold, and executing the at least one maintenance event based on the at least one identified maintenance event.
G06F 30/20 - Design optimisation, verification or simulation
G07C 5/08 - Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle, or waiting time
B64F 5/60 - Testing or inspecting aircraft components or systems
A method of determining component health including measuring an electrical characteristic of a component during operation using a sensor coupled to the component having internal circuitry to be monitored and to a configurable external sensing device to as specified by configuration settings stored in the external sensing device and comparing the measured electrical characteristic to a baseline using a computational device within the configurable external sensing device in order to determine component health.
G01R 31/00 - Arrangements for testing electric propertiesArrangements for locating electric faultsArrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
B64F 5/60 - Testing or inspecting aircraft components or systems
B64D 15/00 - De-icing or preventing icing on exterior surfaces of aircraft
G08B 21/08 - Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons responsive to the presence of persons in a body of water, e.g. a swimming poolAlarms for ensuring the safety of persons responsive to an abnormal condition of a body of water
B64D 45/00 - Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for
A switching device includes an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) or MOSFET having a gate, an emitter, and a collector configured to allow current to pass between the emitter and the collector based on voltage applied to the gate. A stack of alternating layers of photo-sensitive p-n junction layers and insulating layers stacked on the gate for optical switching control of voltage through the IGBT or MOSFET.
H03K 17/785 - Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and -breaking characterised by the use of specified components by the use, as active elements, of opto-electronic devices, i.e. light-emitting and photoelectric devices electrically- or optically-coupled controlling field-effect transistor switches
G02B 6/42 - Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
H01L 31/11 - Devices sensitive to infrared, visible or ultraviolet radiation characterised by two potential barriers or surface barriers, e.g. bipolar phototransistor
H03K 17/16 - Modifications for eliminating interference voltages or currents
H04B 10/25 - Arrangements specific to fibre transmission
A course correction system for a projectile can include a pre-steering trajectory determination module. The pre-steering trajectory determination module can be configured to receive a series of possible trajectories from an estimation module including a physical model defining trajectory as a function of gravitational pull and one or more launch variables, and receive a sensor data from one or more on-board sensors of the projectile. The pre-steering trajectory determination module can also be configured to reduce the possible trajectories from the estimation module to one or more refined trajectories using the sensor data, and output the one or more refined trajectories.
A fluid quantity sensor system for sensing a fluid quantity in a fluid tank can include one or more strain sensors configured to be disposed in physical communication with the tank to sense a strain on one or more portions of the tank. The one or more strain sensors can include at least a first strain sensor disposed in physical communication with a first portion of the tank, and a second strain sensor disposed in physical communication with the second portion of the tank such that the first strain sensor is configured to sense a strain of the first portion of the tank and the second strain sensor is configured to sense a strain of the second portion of the tank. The first strain sensor and the second strain sensor can be positioned such that externally induced stress on a structure forming and/or supporting the tank can be cancelled out such that such that a strain caused by only the fluid in the tank can be determined to determine a weight of the fluid in the tank.
G01F 23/20 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measurement of weight, e.g. to determine the level of stored liquefied gas
A load sensing system for sensing a load on a structure can include an optical load sensing element configured to change an optical state based on a force applied thereto, an optical source operatively connected to the optical load sensing element and configured to input an input optical signal to the optical load element, and an optical detector configured to receive a returned optical signal from the optical load sensing element. The optical detector can be configured to detect one or more frequency peaks of the returned optical signal and to use the one or more frequency peaks of the returned optical signal to correlate to a load value of the load and output the load value indicative of the load.
A system comprises an engine mounted to an aircraft wing by a plurality of clevis pins, a respective strain sensor mounted in at least one of the clevis pins, and a monitoring system operatively connected to each respective strain sensor to monitor stress in each of the clevis pins having a respective strain sensor.
G01L 1/24 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations of optical properties of material when it is stressed, e.g. by photoelastic stress analysis
B64F 5/60 - Testing or inspecting aircraft components or systems
B64C 3/32 - Wings specially adapted for mounting power plant
G01L 5/00 - Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes
A method of measuring target proximity comprising the steps of transmitting a magnetic field signal by a controller of a proximity sensor at a target, measuring impedance of an inductor of a proximity sensor, calculating a relative position of the target in relation to a sensor face, and providing a near/far output status of the target at a predetermined rate.
G01D 5/20 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying inductance, e.g. by a movable armature
A germicidal system includes a handle for opening a door or compartment. An ultra-violet illuminator is mounted proximate the handle for irradiating a surface of the handle to reduce pathogens from the handle between uses. The illuminator can include at least one LED that emits in ultra-violet wavelengths. A sensor can be included proximate the handle. A controller can be operatively connected to the sensor and to the illuminator. The controller can be configured to activate the illuminator based on detection of a user by the sensor. The controller can be configured to activate the illuminator for a predetermined amount of time for each use of the handle.
A distributed network system can include a master controller having a master clock configured to output a master time, and a master transmission delay time module configured to modify the master time to add a known master transmission delay to the master time to output an adjusted master time. The system can include a first device operatively connected to the master controller and configured to receive the adjusted master time from the master controller.
A system including a system controller configured to transmit a first amount of commands in order to produce a desired effect by a group of actuators acting in combination. A system controller configured to control a group of at least two actuators in order to produce at least one combined effect, wherein the number of actuators is greater than or equal to the number of effects. A system controller configures to independent and variable bandwidths or responses of the desired effects produced by the actuators acting in combination.
G05B 13/02 - Adaptive control systems, i.e. systems automatically adjusting themselves to have a performance which is optimum according to some preassigned criterion electric
A system including at least a first node or subnet device configured to be commanded by a controller, a first controller configured to control operation of the first node and interface with a host outside of the system, and a second controller identical to the first controller configured to be a child to the first controller during normal operation and be a parent to a second node or subnet device.
A power and data communication system including an inboard computer system that includes a resistor network, an outboard computer system that includes at least one current limiter and voltage limiter that receives power from the inboard computer in order to power electronics of the outboard computer, and first and second wires connecting the resistor network of the at least one current limiter.
A sensor system can include a sensor configured to output raw sensor data, a plurality of processing modules configured to process the raw sensor data from the sensor to output processed sensor data, a state module for each processing module operative to cause a respective processing module to receive and/or process the sensor data, and a control module configured to receive a coded bitstring and activate or deactivate a predefined set of state modules based on the coded bitstring to control which processing modules process the sensor data and/or an order of processing. The coded bitstring can include a plurality of discrete bits less than the amount of processing modules and/or state modules. A plurality of the state modules and/or processing modules can be associated with at least one discrete bit of the plurality of discrete bits such that each coded bitstring corresponds to a predetermined group of state modules and/or processing modules.
A smart sensor can include a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) configured to receive analog signals from a sensor module, and a plurality of channel modules. Each channel module can be connected to a respective ADC and each channel module can include a limited data processing module configured to provide initial processing. The sensor can include a data control module operatively connected to each of the plurality of channel modules and configured to select a selected channel of the plurality of channels to receive initially processed data from the limited data processing module of the selected channel. The data control module can be configured to interface with external memory to store data to the external memory and/or to read data from the external memory. The sensor can include a batch processing module operatively connected to the data control module and configured to receive the initially processed data of the selected channel from the data control module to provide further processing of the initially processed data.
H04L 67/12 - Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
H04L 67/10 - Protocols in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network
H04Q 9/00 - Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
48.
Estimation of gap between a proximity sensor and target
A method is provided for sensing proximity of a target. The method includes sensing inductance associated with a magnetic field, wherein the inductance is affected by the target when the target is proximate the magnetic field. The method further includes providing the sensed inductance for processing. The processing includes determining an inductance value from at least the sensed inductance and estimating a parameter of a gap between a location of sensing the inductance and the target as a function of the inductance value and application of a nonlinear model of a relationship between the gap and inductance.
An electronic braking arrangement includes a brake stack assembly, a driver circuit, a current limiter circuit, and a voltage limiter circuit. The driver circuit is operably connected to the brake stack assembly. The current limiter circuit and the voltage limiter circuit are connected in series between the driver circuit and the brake stack assembly to drive friction brake loads in the brake stack assembly with a voltage limited constant drive current.
B60T 13/74 - Transmitting braking action from initiating means to ultimate brake actuator with power assistance or driveBrake systems incorporating such transmitting means, e.g. air-pressure brake systems with electrical assistance or drive
B60T 8/17 - Using electrical or electronic regulation means to control braking
H02P 27/06 - Arrangements or methods for the control of AC motors characterised by the kind of supply voltage using variable-frequency supply voltage, e.g. inverter or converter supply voltage using DC to AC converters or inverters
F16D 55/36 - Brakes with a plurality of rotating discs all lying side by side
H03K 17/567 - Circuits characterised by the use of more than one type of semiconductor device, e.g. BIMOS, composite devices such as IGBT
A navigation augmentation system includes a vehicle including an imaging device operably connected to a navigation data fusion module for receiving and analyzing visual point of interest data, gyroscope data, and accelerometer data, wherein the navigation data fusion module is operably connected to a sensor compensation module and an autopilot module for controlling the navigation of the vehicle.
A sensor system can include a sensor configured to output raw sensor data, a plurality of processing modules configured to process the raw sensor data from the sensor to output processed sensor data, a state module for each processing module operative to cause a respective processing module to receive and/or process the sensor data, and a control module configured to receive a bitmask and to operate each state module based on the bitmask to control which processing modules process the sensor data and/or an order of processing. The bitmask can include a plurality of discrete bits. Each state module and/or processing module can be associated with at least one discrete bit.
H04Q 9/00 - Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
H04L 29/08 - Transmission control procedure, e.g. data link level control procedure
A sensor node for a distributed sensing system, can include a physical memory configured to store configuration settings data, one or more sensor channels configured to interface with one or more physical sensors to receive signals from the one or more physical sensors, and one or more configurable logic modules connected to the physical memory and operative to receive the configuration settings data and to be configured by the configuration settings data into a logic state to control whether and/or how the one or more one or more configurable logic modules receive and/or processes data from the one or more sensor channels. The one or more configurable logic modules can include one or more FPGAs and/or PLDs, for example.
A control module for a distributed sensor system can include a non-application specific configurable module configured to operate as a function of controller configuration settings data, at least a first memory configured to store the controller configuration settings data, at least one external interface module configured to connect with a master host module of the sensor system to receive updated controller configuration settings data, the control module configured to receive and store the updated controller configuration settings in the first memory thereof via the at least one external interface module, and a subnet interface module configured to connect to one or more configurable sensor nodes on a subnetwork, wherein the control module is configured to control and/or configure the one or more sensor nodes as a function of the controller configuration setting data and receive sensor data from the one or more sensor nodes.
G06F 15/177 - Initialisation or configuration control
H04L 12/24 - Arrangements for maintenance or administration
G07C 5/08 - Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle, or waiting time
A method of determining component health including measuring an electrical characteristic of a component during operation using a sensor coupled to the component having internal circuitry to be monitored and to a configurable external sensing device to as specified by configuration settings stored in the external sensing device and comparing the measured electrical characteristic to a baseline using a computational device within the configurable external sensing device in order to determine component health.
G01R 31/00 - Arrangements for testing electric propertiesArrangements for locating electric faultsArrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
A sensor node for a distributed sensing system, can include a physical memory configured to store configuration settings data, one or more sensor channels configured to interface with one or more physical sensors to receive signals from the one or more physical sensors, and one or more configurable logic modules connected to the physical memory and operative to receive the configuration settings data and to be configured by the configuration settings data into a logic state to control whether and/or how the one or more one or more configurable logic modules receive and/or processes data from the one or more sensor channels. The one or more configurable logic modules can include one or more FPGAs and/or PLDs, for example.
A control module for a distributed sensor system can include a non-application specific configurable module configured to operate as a function of controller configuration settings data, at least a first memory configured to store the controller configuration settings data, at least one external interface module configured to connect with a master host module of the sensor system to receive updated controller configuration settings data, the control module configured to receive and store the updated controller configuration settings in the first memory thereof via the at least one external interface module, and a subnet interface module configured to connect to one or more configurable sensor nodes on a subnetwork, wherein the control module is configured to control and/or configure the one or more sensor nodes as a function of the controller configuration setting data and receive sensor data from the one or more sensor nodes.
A sensor system can include a sensor configured to output raw sensor data, a plurality of processing modules configured to process the raw sensor data from the sensor to output processed sensor data, a state module for each processing module operative to cause a respective processing module to receive and/or process the sensor data, and a control module configured to receive a bitmask and to operate each state module based on the bitmask to control which processing modules process the sensor data and/or an order of processing. The bitmask can include a plurality of discrete bits. Each state module and/or processing module can be associated with at least one discrete bit.
G01D 3/032 - Measuring arrangements with provision for the special purposes referred to in the subgroups of this group mitigating undesired influences, e.g. temperature, pressure affecting incoming signal, e.g. by averagingMeasuring arrangements with provision for the special purposes referred to in the subgroups of this group mitigating undesired influences, e.g. temperature, pressure gating undesired signals
G01P 15/00 - Measuring accelerationMeasuring decelerationMeasuring shock, i.e. sudden change of acceleration
G06F 17/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions
A sensor node of a sensing network acquires first sensing data from an internal sensing node and/or second sensing data via an interface from an external sensing node. The sensor node is configured with a selected configuration file. The first and second events are detected as a function of the first and/or second sensing data based on the configuration file. The method further includes performing a first action set of the plurality of action sets as a function of detecting the first event and performing a second action set of the plurality of action sets as a function of detecting the second event, wherein the first and second action sets are defined by the configuration file. Once configured with the configuration file, detecting the first and second events and performance of any of the first and second action sets is performed autonomously of a controller or host of a system being monitored by the sensing network.
H04Q 9/00 - Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
H04L 29/08 - Transmission control procedure, e.g. data link level control procedure
A sensor node of a sensing network, configured with a selected configuration file, acquires first sensing data from an internal sensing node and/or second sensing data via an interface from an external sensing node. The first and second events are detected as a function of the first and/or second sensing data based on the configuration file. The method further includes performing a first action set as a function of detecting the first event and performing a second action set as a function of detecting the second event, wherein the first and second action sets are defined by the configuration file. Once configured with the configuration file, detecting the first and second events and performance of any of the first and second action sets is performed autonomously of a controller or host of a system being monitored by the sensing network.
H04L 67/10 - Protocols in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network
H04L 67/12 - Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
60.
DISTRIBUTED TIME SYCHRONIZATION PROTOCOL FOR AN ASYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
A slave node of one or more slave nodes and a master node of a distributed acquisition system and a method of synchronizing communication of the slave node is provided. The method includes acquiring a configuration that provides a definition for a packet interval, wherein the packet interval definition provides an adequate timing margin to ensure that communication packets transmitted by the master node and the one or more slave nodes occur only at harmonics of the packet interval definition. The method further includes receiving master communication packets from the master node via the bus, determining a start time of at least one most recent master communication packet of the master communication packets received from the master node, calculating a synchronization time based on the start time, and starting transmission of slave communication packets to the master node based on the synchronization time.
A master node of a distributed acquisition system is provided. The master node includes a communication interface for interfacing between a control component and a bus and the control component. The bus is coupled to one or more slave nodes distributed in the acquisition system. The control component is configured to acquire a configuration that provides a definition for a packet interval, wherein the packet interval definition provides an adequate timing margin to ensure that communication packets transmitted by the master node and the one or more slave nodes occur only at harmonics of the packet interval definition, distribute a time reference packet of the communication packets based on the packet interval definition via the bus to all of the slave nodes of the distributed acquisition system, and schedule transmission of communication packets transmitted by the master node via the bus to the one or more selected slave nodes based on the packet interval definition.
A master node of a distributed acquisition system is provided. The master node includes a communication interface for interfacing between a control component and a bus and the control component. The bus is coupled to one or more slave nodes distributed in the acquisition system. The control component is configured to acquire a configuration that provides a definition for a packet interval, wherein the packet interval definition provides an adequate timing margin to ensure that communication packets transmitted by the master node and the one or more slave nodes occur only at harmonics of the packet interval definition, distribute a time reference packet of the communication packets based on the packet interval definition via the bus to all of the slave nodes of the distributed acquisition system, and schedule transmission of communication packets transmitted by the master node via the bus to the one or more selected slave nodes based on the packet interval definition.
H04L 12/403 - Bus networks with centralised control, e.g. polling
H04L 67/10 - Protocols in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network
H04L 67/1095 - Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes
H04L 67/1097 - Protocols in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS]
A method of monitoring a condition of a system is provided. The method includes receiving a first sampled signal having first sampled points sampled at a first sampling rate, and receiving a second sampled signal having second sampled points sampled at a second sampling rate. Both the first and second sampled signals originate from sensing over a dimension in the same sensing process. The method further includes determining a first shift over the dimension between the first sampled signal and the second sampled signal at a first sampled point of the first sampled signal, determining a second shift over the dimension between the first sampled signal and the second sampled signal at a second sampled point of the first sampled signal, the second sampled point being different than the first sampled point, determining a calculated shift that is a function of the first shift and the second shift, generating a merged signal that includes each of the first sampled points and each of the second sampled points shifted based on the calculated shift, determining whether there is at least a threshold indication of failure based on analysis of the merged signal, and disabling or recommending for removal the component in response to determining that there is at least a threshold indication of failure.
A method of monitoring a condition of a system is provided, comprising receiving a first sampled signal and a second sampled signal that originate from sensing over a dimension in the same sensing process, determining a first shift over the dimension between the first sampled signal and the second sampled signal, determining a second shift over the dimension between the first sampled signal and the second sampled signal, determining a calculated shift that is a function of the first shift and the second shift, generating a merged signal based on the calculated shift, determining whether there is at least a threshold indication of failure based on analysis of the merged signal, and disabling or recommending for removal the component in response to determining that there is at least a threshold indication of failure.
A slave node of one or more slave nodes and a master node of a distributed acquisition system and a method of synchronizing communication of the slave node is provided. The method includes acquiring a configuration that provides a definition for a packet interval, wherein the packet interval definition provides an adequate timing margin to ensure that communication packets transmitted by the master node and the one or more slave nodes occur only at harmonics of the packet interval definition. The method further includes receiving master communication packets from the master node via the bus, determining a start time of at least one most recent master communication packet of the master communication packets received from the master node, calculating a synchronization time based on the start time, and starting transmission of slave communication packets to the master node based on the synchronization time.
Provided are embodiments for techniques for monitoring components of a system, where the techniques include determining an operational status of one or more processing modules, wherein the one or more processing modules comprise one or more local memories, and configuring the one or more local memories with threshold values for configuration parameters for one or more components. The techniques also include sensing sensor data for the one or more components, determining the health status of the one or more components by comparing sensor data for the configuration parameters to the threshold values for the configuration parameters, and transmitting the sensor data and the health status of the one or more components to a central server for storing the sensor data and the health status.
A rotary encoder may include a magnetic encoder disc having a plurality of magnetic features added to the disc by additive manufacturing distributed over a surface of the encoder disc, wherein the disc is configured for attachment to the end of a rotatable shaft, or a cylindrical metallic encoding feature having a plurality of magnetic features added to the cylindrical encoder by additive manufacturing distributed over the surface of the cylindrical encoding feature, wherein the encoding feature is capable of attachment to an outer diameter of the rotatable shaft. The encoder additionally includes a magnetic sensor positioned adjacent to the end of the rotatable shaft to detect magnetic signals from the magnetic features on the disc and/or positioned over the surface of the rotatable shaft to detect magnetic signals from the magnetic features on the encoding feature.
G01D 5/20 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying inductance, e.g. by a movable armature
G01D 5/14 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage
G01B 1/00 - Measuring instruments characterised by the selection of material therefor
68.
In-line power conditioning for multi-drop data bus
A T-junction circuit comprises a first connector, a second connector, a third connector, at least one data bus, a power bus, and power conditioning circuitry. The at least one data bus is communicatively coupled to the first, second, and third connector. The power bus electrically coupled to the first, second, and third connector, the power bus configured to provide power from the first connector. The power conditioning circuitry is electrically coupled between a node of the power bus and the third connector, the node of the power bus located between the first, second, and third connectors, the power conditioning circuitry configured to condition the power provided by the power bus from the first connector before providing it to the third connector.
A guided projectile includes a body and a deployable wing in which the deployable wing is coupled to and enclosed by the body. A linear distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the wing defines a chord line that, in the stowed position, forms an angle with a plane containing the chord line and extending parallel to a longitudinal dimension of the wing in a deployed position.
F42B 10/14 - Stabilising arrangements using fins spread or deployed after launch, e.g. after leaving the barrel
B64C 3/56 - Folding or collapsing to reduce overall dimensions of aircraft
B64C 39/02 - Aircraft not otherwise provided for characterised by special use
F42B 10/00 - Means for influencing, e.g. improving, the aerodynamic properties of projectiles or missilesArrangements on projectiles or missiles for stabilising, steering, range-reducing, range-increasing or fall-retarding
F42B 10/18 - Stabilising arrangements using fins spread or deployed after launch, e.g. after leaving the barrel using a longitudinally slidable support member
F42B 10/20 - Stabilising arrangements using fins spread or deployed after launch, e.g. after leaving the barrel deployed by combustion gas pressure, or by pneumatic or hydraulic forces
70.
Vibration signal analysis for determining rotational speed
Rotational speed of a rotating component is determined using frequency domain vibrational data. A time sequence of vibrational data of the rotating component is sensed and converted to the frequency domain vibrational data. A portion of the frequency domain vibrational data corresponding to an expected rotational speed of the rotating component is identified. A frequency bin index of the frequency domain vibrational data corresponding to a maximum vibration within the portion of the frequency domain vibrational data is identified. The maximum vibration at the identified frequency bin index and vibrations associated with adjacent frequency bin indices are fitted to a model curve. A floating point frequency bin index corresponding to a maximum of the model curve is identified, and the rotational speed of the rotating component is determined based on the frequency bin index corresponding to the maximum of the model curve.
G01P 3/48 - Devices characterised by the use of electric or magnetic means for measuring angular speed by measuring frequency of generated current or voltage
71.
Method of tuning an inductance of an inductive sensor
An inductive sensor includes a core body, a coil wound on the core body, a cavity having a fixed volume within the core body, and an epoxy mixture filling a controlled portion of the fixed volume. The controlled portion of the fixed volume filled with the epoxy mixture controls an inductance of the sensor.
H01F 41/02 - Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or assembling magnets, inductances or transformersApparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing materials characterised by their magnetic properties for manufacturing cores, coils or magnets
H01F 21/08 - Variable inductances or transformers of the signal type continuously variable, e.g. variometers by varying the permeability of the core, e.g. by varying magnetic bias
H01F 21/06 - Variable inductances or transformers of the signal type continuously variable, e.g. variometers by movement of core or part of core relative to the windings as a whole
H01F 29/14 - Variable transformers or inductances not covered by group with variable magnetic bias
H01B 1/02 - Conductors or conductive bodies characterised by the conductive materialsSelection of materials as conductors mainly consisting of metals or alloys
H01F 1/00 - Magnets or magnetic bodies characterised by the magnetic materials thereforSelection of materials for their magnetic properties
H01F 1/28 - Magnets or magnetic bodies characterised by the magnetic materials thereforSelection of materials for their magnetic properties of inorganic materials characterised by their coercivity of soft-magnetic materials metals or alloys in the form of particles, e.g. powder dispersed or suspended in a bonding agent
H03K 17/95 - Proximity switches using a magnetic detector
A fluid measurement system includes a signal processor and a processing system. The signal processor is configured and adapted to produce a serial word that is indicative of a fluid characteristic that is configured to be communicated externally of the signal processor. The processing system is operatively connected to the signal processor to read the serial word and decode the serial word. A method for transmitting a fluid characteristic between a sensor system and a processing system includes producing a serial word that is indicative of a fluid characteristic value with a signal processor. The method includes transmitting the serial word externally of the signal processor. The method includes reading and decoding the serial word with a processing system to determine the fluid characteristic value.
G01N 9/00 - Investigating density or specific gravity of materialsAnalysing materials by determining density or specific gravity
G01N 27/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating capacitance
G08C 19/18 - Electric signal transmission systems in which transmission is by pulses using a variable number of pulses in a train
H04L 67/12 - Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
A fluid measurement system includes a signal processor and a processing system. The signal processor is configured and adapted to produce a serial word that is indicative of a fluid characteristic that is configured to be communicated externally of the signal processor. The processing system is operatively connected to the signal processor to read the serial word and decode the serial word. A method for transmitting a fluid characteristic between a sensor system and a processing system includes producing a serial word that is indicative of a fluid characteristic value with a signal processor. The method includes transmitting the serial word externally of the signal processor. The method includes reading and decoding the serial word with a processing system to determine the fluid characteristic value.
G01F 23/263 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields by measuring variations in capacitance of capacitors
G01N 27/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating capacitance
G01N 29/024 - Analysing fluids by measuring propagation velocity or propagation time of acoustic waves
G01F 23/22 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
H03M 5/02 - Conversion to or from representation by pulses
74.
Fluid characterization system with integrated density compensation
An integrated densitometer-compensator system for providing a digital indication of the dielectric value and density of a fluid in a tank includes a dielectric capacitive measuring device, a vibrating spool fluid density measuring device, a signal processor, a power supply, and a remote computing device. The signal processor produces a digital signal representing the dielectric value and density of the fluid, and includes a serial driver that transmits the digital signal as a serial word by modulating a carrier signal. An unshielded interface cable transmits the serial word, which can contain a unique identifier, and also provides power to the system. Transmission can be electrically, optically, or wirelessly. The exemplary system measures aviation fuel characteristics in fuel tanks onboard an aircraft.
G01N 9/36 - Analysing materials by measuring the density or specific gravity, e.g. determining quantity of moisture
G01N 27/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating capacitance
H03M 5/02 - Conversion to or from representation by pulses
B64D 37/00 - Arrangements in connection with fuel supply for power plant
H04B 3/50 - Systems for transmission between fixed stations via two-conductor transmission lines
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
G01F 23/26 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields
A first firestop device and a second firestop device, each comprising a housing. The housing of the first firestop device has a connection side with a plurality of connection elements and the housing of the second firestop device has a complementary side with a complementary element. The connection elements are each arranged at a different location on the connection side of the housing of the first firestop device, so that a position of the first firestop device relative to the second firestop device, when the connection side of the housing of the first firestop device is interlocked with the complementary side of the housing of the second firestop device, is selectable by selecting which of the connection elements of the first firestop device is connected to the complementary element of the second firestop device.
B64D 37/00 - Arrangements in connection with fuel supply for power plant
G01D 21/02 - Measuring two or more variables by means not covered by a single other subclass
G01R 27/26 - Measuring inductance or capacitanceMeasuring quality factor, e.g. by using the resonance methodMeasuring loss factorMeasuring dielectric constants
A wireless pressure sensor for sensing pressure of a liquid in a tank includes a hermetically sealed housing, at least one sensor, at least one photocell array, at least one communication device, and at least one energy storage device. At least a portion of the hermetically sealed housing has a diaphragm. The at least one sensor within the hermetically sealed housing is configured to sense the pressure of the liquid. The at least one photocell array is configured to receive light and generate power from the light. The at least one communication device is configured to transmit data corresponding to the sensed pressure using wireless radio frequency signals. The at least one energy storage device is configured to store power generated by the at least one photocell array and provide power to the at least one sensor and the at least one communication device.
G01F 23/00 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
G01F 23/16 - Indicating, recording, or alarm devices being actuated by mechanical or fluid means, e.g. using gas, mercury, or a diaphragm as transmitting element, or by a column of liquid
G01L 19/08 - Means for indicating or recording, e.g. for remote indication
G01L 19/00 - Details of, or accessories for, apparatus for measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluent medium insofar as such details or accessories are not special to particular types of pressure gauges
G01L 9/00 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by electric or magnetic pressure-sensitive elementsTransmitting or indicating the displacement of mechanical pressure-sensitive elements, used to measure the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or fluent solid material, by electric or magnetic means
G01F 23/18 - Indicating, recording, or alarm devices actuated electrically
G01F 22/02 - Methods or apparatus for measuring volume of fluids or fluent solid material, not otherwise provided for involving measurement of pressure
A wireless pressure sensor for sensing pressure of a liquid in a tank includes a hermetically sealed housing, at least one sensor, at least one photocell array, at least one communication device, and at least one energy storage device. At least a portion of the hermetically sealed housing has a diaphragm. The at least one sensor within the hermetically sealed housing is configured to sense the pressure of the liquid. The at least one photocell array is configured to receive light and generate power from the light. The at least one communication device is configured to transmit data corresponding to the sensed pressure using wireless radio frequency signals. The at least one energy storage device is configured to store power generated by the at least one photocell array and provide power to the at least one sensor and the at least one communication device.
Apparatus and associated methods relate to measuring temperature of a fluid within a hydraulic vessel using a temperature probe that has an annular recess circumscribing a projecting sensor tip. The annular recess is configured to permit fluid flow into an aperture region of a vessel wall through which the temperature probe contacts the fluid within the hydraulic vessel. Because the temperature probe projects from the annular recess within the aperture, a net projection dimension, as measured in a projection direction from an interior surface of the vessel wall proximate the aperture to a sensor, is less than a gross projection dimension, as measured in the projection direction from a bottom of the annular recess to the sensor tip. In some embodiments, this configuration advantageously improves a ratio of thermal conductivity between the fluid and the temperature probe and thermal conductivity between the temperature probe and a sensor housing.
An integral fluid measurement system includes a first sensor configured to communicate using a first communication technology, a second sensor configured to communicate using a second communication technology, and a hybrid interface unit including a first interface configured to communicate with a first sensor using a first communication technology and a second interface configured to communicate with a second sensor using a second communication technology, where the first and second communication technologies are different from each other and may include electrical, fiber optic, radio frequency, optical pulse, and sonic pulse. The hybrid interface unit may also include a digital signal processor, data bus, and power supply, and may be capable of being disposed on a fluid tank wall.
G01G 17/04 - Apparatus for, or methods of, weighing material of special form or property for weighing fluids, e.g. gases, pastes
G01G 19/08 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for incorporation in vehicles
G01F 23/00 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
G01D 21/02 - Measuring two or more variables by means not covered by a single other subclass
B64D 37/00 - Arrangements in connection with fuel supply for power plant
G01G 1/00 - Weighing apparatus involving the use of a counterweight or other counterbalancing mass
80.
Optically powered remotely interrogated liquid gauging system
An optically powered pressure sensor for sensing pressure of a liquid in a tank includes a hermetically sealed housing with at least a portion of the housing having a diaphragm, at least one sensor within the hermetically sealed housing, at least one optical emitter, and a photocell array. The hermetically sealed housing forms at least a portion of a hermetically sealed wall of the tank. The at least one sensor within the hermetically sealed housing is configured to sense the pressure of the liquid. The at least one optical emitter is configured to transmit data corresponding to the sensed pressure. The photocell array is configured to receive light and provide power to the at least one sensor and the at least one optical emitter.
H02J 50/80 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
G01L 9/00 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by electric or magnetic pressure-sensitive elementsTransmitting or indicating the displacement of mechanical pressure-sensitive elements, used to measure the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or fluent solid material, by electric or magnetic means
A system and method includes a structural body, a plurality of structural health monitoring (SHM) sensors, and first and second computer systems. The structural body includes a plurality of structures. The SHM sensors are configured to sense structural health data for a plurality of zones of the structures. The first computer system is configured to collect the structural health data from the SHM sensors. The second computer system includes a display and is configured to receive the structural health data from the first computer system and groups the zones into a plurality of structural regions, and groups the plurality of structural regions into at least one structural area. The display is configured to provide a visual representation of a structural region health of a first one of the plurality of structural regions based on the structural data for respective ones of the zones within the first one of the plurality of structural regions.
A system and method for analyzing structural heath data includes a structural body, structural health sensors, and first and second computer systems. The structural health sensors are configured to sense data regarding structures of the structural body. The first computer system is configured to collect the sensed data as the structural health data. The second computer system that includes a user interface and display, and is configured to receive the structural health data and provide interactive transformational analysis of the structural health data. The interactive transformational analysis provides, on the display of the second computer system, a visual representation of the structural health data over time.
An airplane is provided. The airplane includes a fuel gauging and quantity estimation system with an improved estimation accuracy. The fuel gauging and quantity estimation system operates by detecting an environment of a tank comprising a liquid and selecting one or more liquid gauging algorithms based on the environment. The fuel gauging and quantity estimation system further operates by receiving sensor data characterizing the liquid of the tank and utilizing the sensor data and the one or more liquid gauging algorithms to determine a property of the liquid.
G01F 23/00 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
G01F 22/00 - Methods or apparatus for measuring volume of fluids or fluent solid material, not otherwise provided for
G06N 3/04 - Architecture, e.g. interconnection topology
A system and method includes an arbitrating data bus and a plurality of sensing nodes connected to communicate on the arbitrating data bus. The plurality of sensing nodes are configured to digitize and monitor a first amount of data during a listening mode of an event monitoring mode and detect an event based upon the first amount of data. The plurality of sensing nodes are further configured to output an event message to the arbitrating data bus upon detection of the event. The plurality of sensing nodes are further configured to digitize and retain a second amount of data following detection of the event message on the arbitrating data bus.
Apparatus and associated methods relate to determining the wavelength of a narrow-band light beam. Two portions of the narrow-band light beam are projected onto two dissimilar photodetectors, respectively. The two dissimilar photodetectors have dissimilar spectral responses over a domain of wavelengths that includes the wavelength of the narrow-band light beam. Each of the two dissimilar photodetectors generates an output signal indicative of a photocurrent induced by the projection of the portion of the narrow-band light beam thereon. A ratio of the differences between the photocurrents to the sum of the photocurrents of the two dissimilar photodetectors is determined. The determined ratio is a monotonic function of wavelength over the domain wavelengths including the wavelength of the narrow-band light beam. The determined ratio is thereby indicative of the wavelength of the narrow-band light beam.
An apparatus includes a housing base and a circuit board. The housing base contains a cavity, a boss containing a mounting bore, and a support pad connected to the boss. The circuit board is positioned in the cavity so that an accelerometer carried by the circuit board is disposed directly above the support pad.
H05K 5/00 - Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
G01P 15/08 - Measuring accelerationMeasuring decelerationMeasuring shock, i.e. sudden change of acceleration by making use of inertia forces with conversion into electric or magnetic values
87.
Structural health monitoring and baseline deviation assessment
At least one baseline structural interrogation of a physical structure is performed in one or more corresponding baseline conditions of the structure. The one or more baseline conditions are stored, and one or more current conditions are sensed. It is determined whether a difference between the one or more current conditions and the one or more baseline conditions satisfies at least one threshold deviation criterion. A current structural interrogation of the structure is performed in response to determining that the difference between the one or more current conditions and the one or more baseline conditions satisfies the least one threshold deviation criterion. An indication that the at least one threshold deviation criterion is not satisfied is output in response to determining that that the difference between the one or more current conditions and the one or more baseline conditions does not satisfy the at least one threshold deviation criterion.
G01N 29/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details
An electronic braking arrangement includes a brake stack assembly, a driver circuit, a current limiter circuit, and a voltage limiter circuit. The driver circuit is operably connected to the brake stack assembly. The current limiter circuit and the voltage limiter circuit are connected in series between the driver circuit and the brake stack assembly to drive friction brake loads in the brake stack assembly with a voltage limited constant drive current.
B60T 13/74 - Transmitting braking action from initiating means to ultimate brake actuator with power assistance or driveBrake systems incorporating such transmitting means, e.g. air-pressure brake systems with electrical assistance or drive
B60T 8/17 - Using electrical or electronic regulation means to control braking
H02P 27/06 - Arrangements or methods for the control of AC motors characterised by the kind of supply voltage using variable-frequency supply voltage, e.g. inverter or converter supply voltage using DC to AC converters or inverters
F16D 55/36 - Brakes with a plurality of rotating discs all lying side by side
H03K 17/567 - Circuits characterised by the use of more than one type of semiconductor device, e.g. BIMOS, composite devices such as IGBT
A power conditioning system includes a power source, at least one node, a host unit and a voltage regulator unit. The host unit includes a host mechanical housing and is configured to communicate with the at least one node. The voltage regulator unit includes a first regulator mechanical housing and a first voltage regulator circuit. The first regulator mechanical housing is mechanically mated with the host mechanical housing. The first voltage regulator circuit is configured to condition the power from the power source and provide first conditioned power to the at least one node.
Apparatus and associated methods relate to generating a trigger signal in response to detection of a triggering acoustic event sensed by one of a distributed network of optical acoustic sensors mechanically coupled to an aircraft structure. Each of the optical acoustic sensors is configured to generate an optical response signal indicative of an acoustic condition detected by the optical acoustic sensor. A controller receives the optical response signals and generates, if a triggering one of the optical response signals is indicative of a triggering acoustic event, a trigger signal. The controller also determines a location of the specific one of the distributed network of optical acoustic sensors that generated the triggering one of the optical response signals. In some embodiments, the trigger signal is sent to a Health & Usage Monitoring System configured to perform a health scan, in response to receiving the trigger signal, of the aircraft structure.
Overheat and fire detection for aircraft systems includes at least one temperature sensing fiber optic cable. The at least one fiber optic cable is comprised of a plurality of modular fiber optic cables. The plurality of modular fiber optic cables includes at least one sensing and one non-sensing section. Portions of the at least one temperature sensing fiber optic cable can be removed and replace with separate modular fiber optic cables.
G01K 11/3206 - Measuring temperature based on physical or chemical changes not covered by group , , , or using changes in transmittance, scattering or luminescence in optical fibres at discrete locations in the fibre, e.g. using Bragg scattering
G08B 17/00 - Fire alarmsAlarms responsive to explosion
A system and method of obtaining a high accuracy value from at least one sensor using a conditioning circuit includes providing, by a processor, a first signal to the at least one sensor and obtaining a first sensor response from the at least one sensor; providing, by the processor, the first signal to a reference component and obtaining a first reference response from the reference component; providing, by the processor, a second signal, greater than the first signal, to the at least one sensor and obtaining a second sensor response from the at least one sensor; providing, by the processor, the second signal to the reference component and obtaining a second reference response from the reference component; and calculating, by the processor, the high accuracy value based on the first sensor response, the second sensor response, the first reference response and the second reference response.
G01D 5/24 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying capacitance
G08C 19/04 - Electric signal transmission systems in which the signal transmitted is magnitude of current or voltage using variable resistance
A power and data communication system includes an inboard computer, an outboard computer, and first and second wires. The first and second wires connect a first isolation transformer of the inboard computer to a second isolation transformer of the outboard computer. The inboard computer drives a driven voltage through the first isolation transformer. The outboard computer is configured to receive the driven voltage through the second isolation transformer to power the outboard computer. The outboard computer incudes a load that is selectively connected across the second isolation transformer to transmit data to the inboard computer. The inboard computer receives the data through the first isolation transformer.
G01R 31/00 - Arrangements for testing electric propertiesArrangements for locating electric faultsArrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
H02M 7/04 - Conversion of AC power input into DC power output without possibility of reversal by static converters
Apparatus and associated methods relate to continuously providing power to a load throughout an interruption of a power source. While the power source is providing power, a converter is exciting a primary winding of a transformer. A load winding of the transformer delivers power to a load connected thereto, and a holdup winding provides power to a holdup circuit, which stores energy for use when the power source is interrupted. A turns ratio of the holdup winding to the primary winding is greater than one so that the energy stored by the holdup circuit is at a voltage that is greater than or equal to the voltage used for exciting the primary windings. If the voltage used for exciting the primary windings falls below a predetermined threshold, a one-shot controls the transfer of energy stored in the holdup circuit to a storage capacitor supplying current to the primary windings.
H02M 3/335 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output with intermediate conversion into AC by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode to produce the intermediate AC using devices of a triode or a transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only
A method of fuel gauging includes the use of limited physical probes and a number of virtual probes that are mathematically represented despite having no physical representation. Each probe determines the volume of fuel in a particular section of the fuel tank. The calculation method includes using the attitude of the fuel tank to calculate the rotation of each physical probe, using this information to determine the height of the fuel at each physical probe, and extrapolating the physical height information to determine the position of each virtual probe. Once the information on each physical and virtual probe is obtained, a total fuel volume can be calculated.
G01F 22/00 - Methods or apparatus for measuring volume of fluids or fluent solid material, not otherwise provided for
G01C 9/00 - Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels
G01F 23/26 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields
G01F 23/00 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
B64D 37/00 - Arrangements in connection with fuel supply for power plant
A liquid measurement system for determining a quantity of a liquid within a tank includes a pressurized air supply, a valve connected to the pressurized air supply with the valve able to introduce a known mass of air into the tank, a pressure sensor able to measure the change in air pressure within the tank, and a processor operatively connected to the valve and the pressure sensor. The processor is able to determine the volume of the liquid within the tank from the known mass of air introduced into the tank and the change in air pressure within the tank.
G01F 22/02 - Methods or apparatus for measuring volume of fluids or fluent solid material, not otherwise provided for involving measurement of pressure
B64D 37/00 - Arrangements in connection with fuel supply for power plant
B64D 37/04 - Arrangement thereof in or on aircraft
G01F 22/00 - Methods or apparatus for measuring volume of fluids or fluent solid material, not otherwise provided for
G01F 23/14 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measurement of pressure
G01F 17/00 - Methods or apparatus for determining the capacity of containers or cavities, or the volume of solid bodies
A hoist system includes a load attaching member a single conductor connecting the load attaching member to a hoist for raising and lowering the load attaching member and single conductor. A sensor is operatively connected to the load attaching member to sense a monitored parameter of the load attaching member. The sensor is electrically connected to a receiving module of the hoist for single wired-transmission along the single conductor from the sensor to the receiving module.
G01L 5/04 - Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring tension in flexible members, e.g. ropes, cables, wires, threads, belts or bands
G01L 5/10 - Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring tension in flexible members, e.g. ropes, cables, wires, threads, belts or bands using electrical means
B64D 1/22 - Taking-up articles from earth's surface
B66C 1/40 - Crane hooks formed or fitted with load-measuring or indicating devices
A smart sensor system can include one or more configurable input and output channels, each configurable channel including one or more switches configured to activate the input and/or output and/or to select a type of input and/or output signal, at least one analog-to-digital converter and at least one digital-to-analog converter operatively connected to the one or more switches for the one or more configurable channels, and at least one controller configured to control the configurable channels.
A canard deployment mechanism includes a canard connected to a shaft that is hingedly attached to a rotatable hub that is moveable between a stowed and deployed position. The mechanism further includes a locking feature on the canard for restraining the canard in the stowed position. In an embodiment the mechanism further includes a pawl rotatably mounted on a drive gear to contact and restrain the canard in the stowed position.
F42B 10/14 - Stabilising arrangements using fins spread or deployed after launch, e.g. after leaving the barrel
F42B 10/20 - Stabilising arrangements using fins spread or deployed after launch, e.g. after leaving the barrel deployed by combustion gas pressure, or by pneumatic or hydraulic forces
F42B 10/64 - Steering by movement of flight surfaces of fins
F42B 10/62 - Steering by movement of flight surfaces
F42B 10/48 - Range-reducing, destabilising or braking arrangementsFall-retarding means
A flex gear includes a hub with an axis, a rim, and an interface feature, a tooth ring with gear teeth, and flex elements between the rim and the tooth ring.
