公开(公告)号：US20170003157A1

公开(公告)日：2017-01-05

申请号：US15189511

申请日：2016-06-22

Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED

Inventor： Alessio CIPULLO ,  Stephen BURNELL ,  Joseph K-W LAM

IPC: G01F23/292 ,  G01S17/10 ,  B64D37/00

CPC classification number: G01F23/292 ,  B64D37/005 ,  G01F23/0061 ,  G01F23/2928 ,  G01S17/10

Abstract: A method of estimating a quantity of a liquid fuel in a fuel tank of an aircraft is disclosed. A surface of the fuel is illuminated with light so that the light is reflected or scattered by the surface of the fuel onto an array of sensors. The light travels to and from the surface of the fuel via a measurement path containing a transmission medium. A measured time of flight is made at each sensor for the light which travels via the measurement path to that sensor. At least one of the sensors is illuminated with light via a reference path containing a transmission medium with substantially the same refractive index as the transmission medium in the measurement path, the reference path having a known reference distance which does not vary in accordance with the quantity of the fuel.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种估计飞机的燃料箱中的液体燃料的量的方法。 燃料的表面被光照射，使得光被燃料的表面反射或散射到传感器阵列上。 光通过包含传输介质的测量路径行进和从燃料表面移动。 在每个传感器上测量的飞行时间是通过测量路径传播到该传感器的光。 传感器中的至少一个通过包含与测量路径中的传输介质基本上具有相同折射率的传输介质的参考路径照射，该参考路径具有根据数量不变的已知参考距离 的燃料。

公开(公告)号：US20160341591A1

公开(公告)日：2016-11-24

申请号：US15159437

申请日：2016-05-19

Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED

Inventor： Alessio CIPULLO ,  Stephen LISLE-TAYLOR ,  Stephen BURNELL

IPC: G01F23/292 ,  G01B11/06

Abstract: A method of measuring a surface of a liquid, the surface of the liquid having an edge which contacts a solid structure and an interior area which does not contact the solid structure. The surface of the liquid and the solid structure are illuminated with a pattern so that an upper part of the pattern is projected onto the solid structure to form an upper projected pattern and a lower part of the pattern is projected onto the interior area of the surface of the liquid to form a lower projected pattern. An image of the upper projected pattern is acquired and analysed to determine a height of the edge of the surface of the liquid. An image of the lower projected pattern is acquired and analysed to determine a characteristic of the interior area of the surface of the liquid.

Abstract translation: 一种测量液体表面的方法，液体的表面具有接触固体结构的边缘和不接触固体结构的内部区域。 液体和固体结构的表面以图案被照射，使得图案的上部被投影到固体结构上以形成上部突出图案，并且图案的下部突出到表面的内部区域 的液体以形成较低的投影图案。 获取并分析上部投影图案的图像以确定液体表面的边缘的高度。 获取并分析下部投影图案的图像以确定液体表面的内部区域的特性。

公开(公告)号：US20170113807A1

公开(公告)日：2017-04-27

申请号：US15335172

申请日：2016-10-26

Applicant: Airbus Operations Limited

Inventor： Stephen BURNELL ,  Tim Leigh

IPC: B64D37/32 ,  B01D53/00 ,  B64D37/10

CPC classification number: B64D37/32 ,  B01D53/00 ,  B64D37/10 ,  B64D37/28

Abstract: A method and apparatus of control of fuel in a fuel tank including use of pneumatics employing a non-reactive gas. The aircraft fuel tank is handled and monitored by a pneumatic apparatus using oxygen depleted air from air separation module or auxiliary power unit of the aircraft. Electrical discharge from electrical apparatus is obviated.

公开(公告)号：US20160051926A1

公开(公告)日：2016-02-25

申请号：US14830989

申请日：2015-08-20

Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED

Inventor： Stephen BURNELL ,  Tim LEIGH

IPC: B01D53/22 ,  B64D37/32

CPC classification number: B01D53/22 ,  B01D2053/224 ,  B01D2257/104 ,  B01D2258/06 ,  B01D2259/4575 ,  B64D37/32 ,  Y02T50/44

Abstract: A method of generating oxygen depleted air on an aircraft, and an aircraft fuel tank inerting system. The method including the steps of passing a first proportion of air through an air pressure reduction device to produce a supply of reduced pressure air, passing a second proportion along one side of a membrane of an air separation module, exposing the other side of the membrane of the air separation module to the reduced pressure air, so that oxygen is extracted from the second proportion of air across the membrane and the air separation module exhausts oxygen depleted air for inerting an aircraft fuel tank.

Abstract translation: 一种在飞机上产生贫氧空气的方法，以及飞机燃料箱惰化系统。 该方法包括以下步骤：使第一比例的空气通过空气减压装置以产生减压空气的供应，沿着空气分离模块的膜的一侧通过第二比例，暴露膜的另一侧 的空气分离模块到减压空气中，使得氧气从膜的第二比例的空气中提取出来，并且空气分离模块排出贫氧空气以使飞行器燃料箱失效。

公开(公告)号：US20160009406A1

公开(公告)日：2016-01-14

申请号：US14795481

申请日：2015-07-09

Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED

Inventor： Stephen BURNELL ,  Tim LEIGH

IPC: B64D37/10 ,  B64D37/32

CPC classification number: B64D37/32 ,  B64D37/10 ,  B64D37/14 ,  B64D37/24

Abstract: The invention provides an aircraft fuel system comprising a fuel storage facility for storing fuel and ullage, a separate ullage storage facility for storing ullage, and a transfer arrangement for transferring ullage between the fuel storage facility and the ullage storage facility, wherein the transfer arrangement is capable of controlling the transfer of ullage based on a pressure input to the transfer arrangement. The invention also provides an aircraft with such a fuel system and a method of operating an aircraft.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供了一种飞机燃料系统，其包括用于储存燃料和空气的燃料储存设施，用于储存空缺的单独的空置存储设备和用于在燃料储存设施和空置存储设施之间转移空运的传送装置，其中传送装置 能够基于输送到输送装置的压力来控制排料的转移。 本发明还提供具有这种燃料系统的飞行器和操作飞行器的方法。