CA2453895A1 - Liquid gauging apparatus and remote sensor interrogation - Google Patents

Abstract

A gauging apparatus for detecting liquid quantity in a container characterized by a dripstick having a housing that can be manually withdrawn from the container to obtain a visual reading of the liquid quantity based on the position of a float on the liquid surface; a sensor disposed in the housing and actuated by the float to produce an output related to the liquid quantity;
and electronic means for interrogating the sensor from a remote location.

Description

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'The invention relates to apparatus and methods foY liquid gauging, and more particularly to apparatus and methods for remotely interrogating liquid quantity sensors.
Many types of liquid quantity and level sensors are known; including capacitive sensors, resistive sensors., acoustic sensors and so forth. Passive sensors generally operate on the basis of a sensor element that exhibits a parameter,. e.g.
capacitance, that varies with the liquid level. Active sensors such as acoustic sensors operate on the basis of producing a ,signal, e.g. an acoustic pulse, that can be used to detect the liquid level by parametric analysis such as edho ranging. .
Such systems further include an electronic circuit that detects the parametric value of interest and converts that value to a sigr~.al that corresponds to the liquid level.
A common application fc~r such liquid level sensors is for fuel level and quantity detection in aircraft fuel tanks. 1-lowever, due to the volatile nature of fuel, it is desirable to rninirnize the connection of electrical energy to the sensors which may be disposed in the: fuel. It is further desirable to minimize the aanount of electrical energy stored in the sensors or used by the sensors.
A known approach for minimizing the coupling of electrical energy into a fuel tank is described in LJ.S. Pat. ~Io. 4,93,'729, issued to Spillman et al., and commonly owned by the assignee of the present invention. In this systean, optical energy is coupled to the sensors via optic fibers. °f'his optical energy is then converted to electrical energy for energizing the sensors. The sensors detect the liquid level and then transmit another optical signal back to a detector via the optic fibers.
The detector then converts the second optical signal into an output that corresponds to liquid level in the tank.
for aircraft applications, on board readings often need to be verified by ground crews, either during routine turn around or to confirm an error reading. 'f'he optical fiber link t~ the internal sensor in the above system prevents as a practical r matter interrogation of ~:he sensor by ground crews, other than via the same optic fiber link which may in i°act be the cause of a fault reading.
A commonly used fuel level se~~sor in corramercial aircraft particularly is a dripstick sensor, which is used as a backup fuel gauging apparatus to the on-board electronic fuel level sensors. For example, dripsticl: verification may be needed when a refueling truck gauge disagrees with the aircraft fuel gauge, if the on-bard fuel gauges appear to be inaca~urate or inoperative, or simply by request of the flight crew, among other possible reasons.
The dripsticlc includes a linear body that extends vertically into the fuel tanks.
often there is a plurality of such dripsticks in each wing of the aircraft. ~~
magnetic float is disposed on the d~~ipstick body like a collar that floats at the duel su~rf~ce. 'The dripstick is read by the ground crew by manually withdrawing the dripstick from the wing until a arlagnetic tip at the upper a nd of the sensor body engages the float. The operator can feel the resistance of the tp against tl~e magnetic float and stop pulling 1~ on the dripstick. '~"he dripstick b~dy includes a ;;arias of markings which visually indicate to the operator the fuel level based on how far the dripstick was withdrawn from the tank. A.lt:ilougl~e dripstick designs may vary sorr~ewhat, the basic operation of manual access atld visual interrogation is the same f~r the ground crew.
Various problem > are associated with using tl:ae conventional dripsticks, 2~ especially the time invoiv~cd for the ground crew to walk avround to all the sensors and manually/visually deterrr~ine the readings. '~l'he mechanic climbs a ladder or uses a lifting device to gain close access to the underside of the wing, withdraws the dripstick until the engagement is detected, records the readi:r~g and then replaces the dripstick into the tank. IJIIpStlck ~leslgn Is further complicated by the need for minimal fuel 25 leakage. This entire process must l~e repeated for each sensor, which adds substantially to the refueling operation and turnaround tune for aircraft flight readiness.
~~mmercial air carriers have long identified thf: need for a dripstick-like backup system, but one tf~at is casier to use. A systerrl that can be interrogated from 30 the ground would eliminate the need for lifting equipment and provide easier reading of difficult access dripsticks. ~3verall reduction in refueling and fuel verification delays could then be realized.

a objectives exist therefore for simple and reliable apparatus arid methods to interrogate liquid gauging sensors from a remote, preferably ground le~rel, location without coupling electrical energy into a volatile containers Such an arrangement should also be compatible with current dripstick sensor configurations if desired for a particular application.
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According to the present invention there is provided a gagging apparatus for detecting liquid quantity in a container characterized by a dripsticle having a housing that can be rnf~nuaily vvithdran from t:he container to obtain a visual reading of the liquid quantity based on the position of a float on the liquid surface;
a sensor disposed in the= housing and actuated by the float to produce an output related to the liquid quantity; and electronic rneans four interrogating the sensor from a remote location.
Also disclosed herein is a rrtethod for rernotely detecting liquid quantity and/or level in a container comprising the steps o~F:
a. producing a first electromagnetic signal. and transmitting the first electromagnetic signal to a sensor that produces an outpwt that corresponds to liquid quantity in the container:;
b. using the first electromagnetic signal to energize the sensor c. producing a second electromagnetic signal that corresponds to liquid quantity in the containers and d. transmitting the second electromagnetic signal to a rerr~ote detector for converting the second electromagnetic signal into an output that corresponds to liquid quantity in the cor.~.tainer.
These and other aspects and advantages r.~f the present invention gill be readily understood and ~~ppreciated by those skilled in t:he art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with thn best m~de contemplated for practicing the invention in view of tie accompanying drawings.
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Fig. 1A 1S a simphfaed representation of a liquid quantity gauging system according to the invention, such system being general?ly shown in an exemplary manner for use with aircraft fuel gauging Fig. 1~ is an enlarged simplified view of an optics arrangement for the S exemplary use depicted in Fig. 1A.; , , Fig. 2 is a system :Functional block diagram for a sensor interrogation system and method that uses a remote hand held interrogation unit and electronic control circuit according to a preferred embodiment of the; invention;
Fig. 3 is a simplified flow chart for operational functions of the system illustrated in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a dripstick sensor suitable for use with the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an energy conversion and control circuit suitable for use wuth the present invention, and Fig. .~A is a schematic of an IS alternative and simpler circuit suitable for use in many applications;
Figs. 6 A, B and C are schematic diagrams of sensor interface and encoder circuits suitable for arse with the invention, and Fig. 6D shows another suitable embodiment for an encoder circuit;
Fig. 7 is a timing diagram showing representative pulses produced by an encoder circuit suitable fc~r use with the present invention; and Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram t~f an LED~Driver circuit for the present invention.
DE'I"f~ILED DES~RIP'11~N (~F T1~~E I~'VE1VT1DII~1 With reference to Fig. 1A., aircraft, particularly large commercial aircraft, have a plurality of fuel tanks 1() internal to the wing structures. Although the invention is described herein with particular reference to commercial aircraft, this is for purposes of explanation orsly and should not be construed in a limiting sense.
'Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the invention can conveniently be used with any aircraft or other vehicles or str uctures that have liquid containers. The invention also is not limited to fuel tank containers of volatile fuel, but can be used for sensing liquid quantity and levels of many fluid types in virtually any container.
'~ he particular sensor used for detecting the fuel level,lquantity, such as, for example, S
a magnetoresistive dripstick as described in an exemplary manner herein, is also a matter of design choice. '~'°hose skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the advantages and benefits of the invention can be realized using any sensor that produces an electrical output or produces an output or exhibits a characteristic that can be interpreted by electronic circuits including e~apacitive, resistance, acoustic and so on to name just a few. The terms "liquid lev~el'° and "liquid quantity°° as used herein are intended to 'be understood in their broadest sense and are essentially interchangeable terms. .A.s is well known, liquid level data can easily be converted to liquid quantity data, and vice-versa, when the tank or container dimensional characteristics are knowr.~. The invention is directed in a broader sense to apparatus and methods for remotely interrogating sensors that produce outputs; and is especially useful with Sensors that produce outputs corresponding to liquid quantity and/or level in the fluid container.
In the ernbodime:~t described herein, each fuel tank or liquid container 10 includes one or more quantity/level sensors 12. For example, large commercial aircraft such as the hoeing 747 may use nineteen such sensors. Other applications and containers may use different numbers of sensors or only one sensor., Each sensor I2 can he of any convenient design that is preferably electrically interrogated. in other wards, the particular sensor selected is optional for the designer, but preferably will be a sensor that produces (or is connected to a transducer that produces an electrical output signal that corresponds to the quantity/level of liquid in the container. One example of many of a commonly used sensor is a capacitive sen:~or in which a capacitive element changes capacitance value in relation to the percent immersion of the eleme:rat in the liquid. Such a sensor is described, for example, in tJ.S. Pat. No. 4,841,22? issued to Ivlaier and commonly owned by the assignee of the present invention, the entire disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference The present invention is particularly well suited for use with a dripstick sensor 12 that is commonly usea to mechanically read fuel levels in aircraft fuel tanks. In a conventional dripstick design, the dripstick sensor I2 includes an elongated linear body I4 that is vertically ~~nauntea in the fuel tank. For bottom mounted dripsticks, a magnetic or ferrous tip Is is placed at the upper end of the dripstick: ~
magnetic float 20 in the form of a collar is slidably placed around the elongate body and floats on or near the fuel surface 18. dVhen the ground crew pulls the dripstick body out of the tank, the mechanic can physically sense the position when the tip 1b engages the floating ring 20. calibrated markings on the dripstick body then provide a visual .reading of the fuel level and hence volume in the tank,, which information can be used as a confirmation of on-board fuel level readings.
The present invention provides a simple and accurate way to interrogate such a dripstick sensor dvitho~u.t the need to mechanically withdraw the dripstick from the fuel tank (as will be mor a fully explained hereinafter with respect to a sensor such as illustrated in Fig. 4.) The modified dripstick described herein, however, can also be dual configured in a conventional manner for manual withdrawal in case a redundant manual backup system is desired.
More generally, though, the invention contemplates.apparatus and methods for interrogating many different types of sensors using a remote hand held unit.
As illustrated in greater detail in Fig. 1B, the sensor 12 (which in this case will be the modified dripsticl< described hereinafter) is electrically coupled ao a sensor electronic control circuit 40. The control circuit 40 may be disposed in a unit that also is used to mount the sensor 12 in the tank. '1'he control circuit 40 includes a circuit that receives electromagnetic energy 32 (Fig. 1A) from a remote control preferably hand held unit :~~ and converts this energy t:o electrical powrer for the control circuit 40. Thus, on-board electrical power does not need to be connected into the fuel tank, therehay reducing electrical energy in the tank.
The control circuit 40 further includes a circuit that detects the variable parameter of the sensor I2 (e.g. the resistance value or capacitance value as a function of percent immersion) and emits elect~-s~magnetic energy 36 having a characteristic that is modulated in relation to the fluid quantity and/or level detected by the sensor 12. For example, the cn:~ntrol circuit 40 may emit electromagnetic pulses having a duty cycle or time base modulation that corresponds to the liquid quantity detected. ~ther modulation and encoding schemes can, of course, be used.
The encoded data may further include information in addition to the liquid quantity.
For example, the sensor Evontrol circuit 40 can be used to encode information such as the type of sensor used, the type of aircraft it is installed in, which sensor corresponds to the particular circuit 40 and so forth. Sensors that detect fuel characteristics othei than quantity can also be interrogated if desired. Each sensor control circuit 40 preferably also emits a digital code or protocol so that the data signals can be properly detected and identified.
According to one aspect of the present invention, 'the sensor control circuit is remotely energized and, an combination with the remote control unit 34, interrogates the sensor 12. Preferably, the remote unit 34 is a small portable hand held unit easily used by ground crews. '4~en activated, the hand held unit transmits electromagnetic energy 32 to the sensor electronics 40 wherein it is converted and stored as useful electrical energy. This stored electrical energy provides the power needed ~to energize the sensor 12 and also to energi~.e the circuitry needed to transmit the sensor data and identification back to the hand held unit 34 via the modulated electromagnetic energy :36. A detectcar circuit in the hand held unit detects the modulated beam 36, demodulates the signal to produce electrical signals containing the desired sensor information and fuel data, and if desired presents the information on a visual display 38 or in another output f~rm.
A system level approach to such apparatus is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. A
sensor control circuit is generally indicated with the numeral 40. The sensor control circuit 40 includes one or more signal control lines 42 that: connect the control circuit 40 to the sensor 12 (or alternatively a plurality c~f sensors when the circuit 40 is configured to operate in a multiplexed mode.) The signal control lines 42 may, for example, be used to supp'ay electrical power to a sensor or to receive an output signal from a sensor, or simply to ccjnnect a sensor element (such as a variable component) into a detector loop within the circuit 40. The specific nature of the interface of the sensor 12 to the circuit 40 will be determined by the type of sensor being used. In the described embodiment of this invention, the seresor output is essentially a voltage or current that corresponds to the resistance value of the dripstick magnetoresistive element. The sensor I2 output could just as easily be the actual resistance itself of the sensor connected by the leads 42 to an impedance: sensitive detector in the control circuit 40. As another example, the circuit 40 could be optically coupled to the sensor 12, or magnetically coupled to the sensor. A direct hard wired connection is not essential depending on the type of sensor being interrogated and the method of interrogation selected. A significant aspect is that the circuit 40 is configured to interrogate or determine the sensor 12 output condition after electrical power has been input to the circuit: 40 by operation of the hand held unit 34; which condition corresponds to the fuel level or quantity in the tank. Until electrical energy is delivered to the circuit 40 via activation of the remote unit 34, the sensor 12 and the circuit 40 are preferably and substantially de-energized.
As further represented in ~'ig. 2,p the remote unit 34 is remotely connected to the control circuit 40 via the transmitted and received electromagnetic energy signals 32936. The remote unit 34 circuity is appropriately configured to transmit electromagnetic energy, such as for example, photoelectric energy such as infrared light (32) to the control circuit 40, and to receive photoelectric energy such as infrared light (36) from the control circuit 40. The remote control unit 34 is optically linked through air to the control circuit via the light transmission alone, without the use of optic fibers or other light c°onduits, or electrical v connections thereby maximizing the flexibility, portability and simplicity of use of the hand held unit 34.
Thus, the term °'remote" His used h, rein refers to electromagnetic coupling without the use of optical or electrical connections between the remote unit and the sensor electronics.
The control circuit 40 may be designed to perform any number of functions depending on the number and type of sensors being interrogated with each circuit 40.
However, generally the control circuit 40 will include at least the following functional circuits. An energy receiver, such as a. photodiode array 44 is used to receive the electromagnetic energy transmitted from the hand held unit 34, and to convert that energy into useful electrical energy. The type of drvices used in the array 44 will, of course, depend on the spectral content of the electromagnetic energy used to link the hand held unit 34 to the: control circuit 40. Although infrared light is one of the preferred options it certainly is not the only option available. Broadband radiation such as froze white tungsten lamps, radio frequency waves and other spectral bands can be used for the elecE.romagnetic energy. Whatever bandwidth is selected will determine the specific de:ector 44 used, which MusD be responsive within the spectral band of the electromagnetic energy transmitted to the control circuit.

In the described example, the diode array 44 produces electrical energy in response to the received Light 32. A power storage circuit 46 receives and stores this electrical energy for usc; in powering the sensor 12 and the circuit 40 under the control of a power control sequences ci cult 48. The sequences circuit 48 is designed S to sequentially control the application of power to the sensor 12 (or sensors, in a multiplexed designs via a sensor interface circuit 50. Depending on the overall complexity of the seraso~° 12 and the circuit 40, the interface circuit SO may be as simple as a switch, a voi.tage level shifter, or more involved such as i~.
multiplexes, transducer and so on. 'l~lhatever functions are selected for the circuit 40 will be determined primarily by the amount ~~f electrical. energy that can be stored and retrieved from the storage circuit 46, and how mu~;.h of ~. load the circuit 40 applies to the storage circuit.
The sensor output information is input to an encoder circuit 52 that in turn is connected to an electromagnetic source 54, such as an LED array and driver circuit. In general, the overall electricaload of the circuit 40 is primarily dependent on the power consumption in the LED circuit, especially if the circuit 40 is expected t~ transmit the sensor data over a long distance to the hand held unit 34.
erefore, sensor data is preferably encoded in a digital manner so that the source 54 can be pulsed rather than contirmously operated.
The hand held u~~it 34 a9so includes an electromagnetic energy source 56 which for convenience rtnay be an LED and associated driver circuit similar to the control circuit light source circuit 54. 1-Iowever, the remote hand held unit could transmit electromagnetic energy for purposes o:f energizing the sensor using a different spectral band than is used for the encoded energy transmitted back to the remote unit. A detector circuit 58 is used to receive the encoded signals from the sensor control circuit 40 and to convert those pulses into electrical signals that can be processed and interpreted. 'The detector c°ircui,t 58 can be a simple photodiode or photodiode array or other transducer, and may include signal conditioning circuits for amplification, filtering and other sig:~al processing functions well known to those skilled in the art.
The detector 58 signals are input to a central processing circuit 60 which for convenience may be a co~rtrc~l circuit utilizing a microprocessor or similar controller.

I~3iserete logic and signal processing, of course, could also be used. The controller 60 operates a power control circuit 62 that switches the light source 56 on and off at appropriate tunes. The source 56 is used, as stated,, to supply electrical energy to the sensor circuit 40. The source 56 can be designed to be operated continuously during a sensor interrogation operation, or ears be turnec'1 off when the hand held unit is ready to receive the encoded light pulses.
The controller 60 is programmed in a conventional manner to interpret the received data from the sensor 12 and convert that data into an output, such as the visual display 38 used to display fuel level, quantity, sensor identification, plane identification or any other data transanitted back 'to the remote unit 34. The controller 60 also monitors an operator interface circuit 64, which may be realized in the form of an alphanumeric keypad optionally provided with special function keys and so forth as is well kn~wn. The operator interface can be used, for example, to control actuation of the light source 56, as well as to input control data such as the IS type of plane, which sensor is being accessed, and so on when such information is not transmitted by the on-bo~.rd sensor.
i~Jith reference now to Fig. 3,~a suitable overall system functional flow diagram for the apparatus illustrated in F'ig. 2 is provided. Again, this flow diagram is only intended to be exemplary, the actual functions and steps being performed by the fuel gauging system being ultin-~ately determined by the complexity and data requirements specified for a particular <~ppJication.
At step 70, the controller 60 turns on the energy source 56 as instructed by the mechanic by activation of the hand held unit ~4. °~"he source 56 transmits electromagnetic energy towards one c~f' the dripseick censors by means of the mechanic aiming the hand held unit at the associated sensor control circuit 40. The detector array 44 is exposed to the incident energy, such as through an optical window (not shown) that ideals the electronics from the environment exterior to the wing or tank. ~fie control circuit 40 converts the received electromagnetic energy to electrical energy and interrogates the sensor 12. The sensor output is then encoded and transmitted back to the hand held unit via the rrrodulated source 54.
Thus, at step 72 the detector circuit 58 receives the encoded signal 36, processes the signals as required, and at step 74 the controller 60 determines the pulse timing characteristics to interpret the sensor 12 outputs. '.Che controller 60 also decodes the data signals with the encoded information such as the dri;pstick number, aircraft type and so on. At step ?6 the controller, by means of appropriate lookup tables and algorithms converts the decoded signals into the desired information such as fuel S volume, level, sensor number and so on, and at step 78 displays the requested information to the mech~~nic via the display 38, which may be a visual display, printed data, recorded data and so forth.
With reference next to Fig. 4, f show a dripstick sensor that has been modified for use with the remote interrogation or direct interrogation by on-board electronics approaches of the present invention. 1=or clarity, F'ig. 4 only illustrates the operative portion of the sensor in accordance with my invention that detects the fuel height in the tank. ~ther parts o1' the dripstick can be cozmentional in design and are well known. The sensor 12 includes the elongated member :14 which may be, for example, an aluminum tube 80. 'Within the tube 80 is a precision wire wound resistor 82 which extends substantially along the entire portion of the tube 80 used for detecting the fuel height or level. °fihf°_ float 20 is disposed around the tube 80 as a collar, and retains an actuation magnet 84. As the float rnov~;s up and down in relation to the fuel level 18; the magnet 84 cac~ses spring fingers 86 that are part of ~
conductive strip 88 to contact the ware resistor 82. A magnetic piece 89 may be provided to insure the fingers 86 return out of contact from the resistor 82 when the float is n~t aligned with the fingers. ~ne end of the resistor 82 serves as a sensor terminal 90 and the conductive strip 81~ serves as another sensor terminal 92. Thus, the resistance between the terminals 90,92 directly corresponds to the percent immersion of the tube 80 in the fuel, or st~aed another way, directly corresponds to the fuel level/quantity in the tank. An insulative layer 94 can be provided between the tube wall 96 and the internal parts of the magnetoresistive sensor to prevent the tube 80 from electrically short cireviting the resistor 8z. This particular sensor 12 can easily be interrogated by simply applying a voltage or current across the terminals 90,92 and determining the resistancev value. A particular advantage of this modified dripstick sensor is that it can also be used manually by the g~rour'd crew for verifying the fuel Ievel readings as with a conventional dripstick. Thus, the modified dripstick can be used as a direct field replacement for conventional dripsticks. .Also, the magnetoresistive element can advantageously be hardwired to the onboard electronics if such monitoring of the dripstick readout is desired.
In Fig. 5, I show one example of a circuit that can conveniently be used for energy conversion and power control in the sensor control circuit 40 with exemplary component values being provided. In this particular arrangement, the detector array 44 is positioned near an optional lens 100 that collimate, light energy 32 received from the remote hand held unit 34 through a e~~zndow 102 which may be flush mounted with the wing underside. The array 44 preferably includes a plurality of photocells I04 that convert incident light energy into voltage and current.
The cells could be used in tr,e photovoltaic, photocurrent or both modes. T'he number of photocells 104 used will be determined by the characteristics of the photocell used, as well as the voltage as~ad charging requirements of the overall control circuit as dictated by the circuit's power requirements needed to interrogate the sensor 12 and transmit encoded Iight signals back to the hand held unit 34.
The photocells I04 are connected to a circuit charge storage capacitor 106 through a rectifying diode 108. °I'he array 44 is also connected to a LED/Driver (54) storage capacitor 1I0 through a second rectifying diode 112. Separate storage capacitors are preferred for the L.ED and control circuit functions due to their respective load effects on the overall charging requirements. For example, the circuit storage capacitor 106 can be smaller in many applicatione> and thus charged quickly for fast access to the sensor 12. Also, by having the LEDs operate from a separate capacitor, the load effects of the LEDs will have less influence on the operation of the control circuit components used to interrogate and encode the sensor 12 data.
The LED capacitor 11 stt:~res a DC supply voltage 1~ø 114 at an output node 116, which is connected to the LED/Driver circuit ~4 (Fig. 2). 1\lote that in the preferred embodiment, the DC supply to the LED/Driver 54 is maintained for as long as the capacitor is charged by light received from the remote unit 34, or until the capacitor is discharged by operation. of the I_..FD circuit S4. 'The circuit storage capacitor 106 stores a DC supply voltage that appears at node 118 with respect to the common return 120. A power switch circuit 122 connects the stored energy from the capacitor 106 to a V+ terminal and ~~- terminal 126 which are connected to the sensor interface circuit 50 (Fig. 2). The circuit 122 operates in a conventional manner to switch on the output transistor 128 when the voltage stored on the capacit~r 106 reaches about + 5 VDC, and switches the transistor 128 off when the capacitor 106 discharges to about +2.2 VDC. The switch circuit 122 provides a low impedance output for the circuit voltage supply, and also prevents operation oi° the control circuitry until sufficient energy is stored in the capacitor 106 to assure accurate data can be transmitted back to the remote unit 34.
In Fig. 5A I show another and simpler circuit that can be used for energy conversion and storage when isolated L,ED and control circuit supplies are not needed (with like components being given Iike reference numerals followed by a prime'). In this circuit, the detector array 44' converts the electromagnetic energy into electrical energy that is stored in the main storage capacitor 106' via a rectifying diode 108'. then the s~:ored voltage reaches a predetermined threshold, an output transistor 228' switches on and the supply voltage appears at.the V~ and V' terminals 124', 120' and is connected to the LED/Driver circuit ~4' and the sensor interface 1~ circuit 50'.
Referring next to Fig. 6, I show a set of circuits (A, I3 and CL) that can conveniently be used to detect the dripstick sensor 22 output and to encode the output for transmission to the remote Control unit 34. The V+ and V' supplies shown in Fig. 6 are connected to the output nodes 1249120 of the supply circuit in Fig. 5.
The top Circuit in Fig. 6 is a sit~ple volvage scaling circuit that connects the V+ and V' supplies across a precision reference resistor 140. A reference resistor is used in this case because the sensor 1'' of this e~;ample is a magnetoresistive sensor having a resistance value that is the parameter of interest. The voltage across the reference resistor 140 produces a reference Current that is converted into a negative reference voltage, -Vhf, by an inverting amplifier 142. A second inverting amplifier 144 configured for unity gain produces a positive reference voltage, + V~~.
The middle circuit in Fig. 6 realizes the sensor interface Circuit 50 (Fig. 2) and is used to transduce the sensor 12 output into a useful electrical signal.
°The V+ and V' supplies are connected across the sensor resistance via the signal lines 42 (Figs.
2 and 4). This produces a sensor Current, Ise"Sar, which is Converted to a voltage, ~sensor% by another amplifier I46.

The voltages + V~ f, -VStnSpr and -V~~ are input to the lower circuit in Fig.
6, which realizes the encoder circuit 52 (Fig. 2). The basic function of this particular encoding circuit and encoding scheme is to produce a series of pulses having a time displacement between pulses that corresponds to the sensor 12 output reading.
Such a circuit and encoding s~:heme are fully described in >~.5. Patent Nos.

5,075,631, and 5,077,527 both issued to Patriquin and commonly owned by the assignee of the present invention, the entire disclosures of both patents being fully incorporated herein by reference. Deference to these patents should b~ made for a detailed explanation of the encoder circuit. Essentially, a ramp generator 150 is used to produce a voltage ramp signal 152. The ramp generator is conveniently realized in the form of an integrator amplifier. The ramp signal 152 is input to one input of a comparator 156. 'I°he other input 158 to the comparator 156 is connected to a multiplexer or signal switcher circuit 160 controlled by a tirraing control circuit 162 which can be realized with a counter. The control circuit 162 sequentially applies the + V~f, -V~~~r and -Vref to the comparator input 158. The particular sequence only requires that the sensor voltage be applied temporarily between the two reference voltages. The comparator 1S6 output changes sta~:e when the ramp voltage reaches the level of the applied signal to the other comparator input. After the comparator changes state, the control circuit switches in the next signal to the comparator input 158 so that the compara~tor 1S8 output is a series of short pulses. The comparator output 162 is connected to the LF.L~/I~river circuit 54 (Figs. 2 and 8.) With reference to Fig. 7, 1 show a timing diagra~~n for typical pulses output from the encoder circuit of Fig. 6. In this case, the controller 60 (Fig. 2) turns off the light source 56 after sufficient time has passed (as at 170) to charge the storage capacitors 106,110 Fig. 5.) At time T1, the comp~arator 156 outputs a first pulse that has a leadi~~g edge determined by the value of the +V~f signal. The second pulse has a leading edge at time T2 and this corresponds to the value of the signal V5~"~r. The third pulse has a leading edge at time T3 that is determined by the value of the -Veer signal. ~eeause the ramp voltage Vamp is a stable constant, and the reference voltages + Vr~f and mVrer are stable Constants, the time delay between the leading edges at Tl and T3 should be a fixed reference time.
The time occurrence of leading edge T2 which corresponds to the sensor data will vary with the sensor 12 resistance value and thus correspond to the fuel quantity/level in the tank. Thus, the ratio (Tl-T2)/(Tl-T3) defines the fractional in~anersion of the sensor 12 m the fuel.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in the specific example 5 described herein, leading edge timing is used for encoding. However, other timing sequences can be used ju:et as conveniently.
i~Vith reference to Fig. 8, I show a simple circuit for interfacing the encoder 52 to the LEI~/I)river ci:°cuit 54. "I'he '~+ and V' supplies are connected to the corresponding terminals lI6,I20 from the storage circuit in Fig. 5. An LED, or 10 alternatively an array of LEI~s, are series connected with a switch 182.
The switch I82 has a control input 184 that is connected to the output 162 of the encoder comparator 156. Thus, the switch 182 is pulsed ora and off by the encoded pulses from the comparator 156, thus correspondingly pulsing the .LED 180 on and off.
A
lens 186 collimates the light from the 1.EI~ 184 and transmits the light pulses through IS a window 188 towards the hand held unit. The lens and window are, of course, optional depending on the particular application.
iNith reference to ~ic~. 6C1,1 show another embodiment (with like components being given like reference numerals followed by a prime') for an encoder circuit suitable for use with m}~ invention. In this example, I still use an output comparator 156' to produce a series of pulses haring a time domain displacetrJent that corresponds to the sensor 12 output data. A control circuit 162' is used to switch sequentially to the compar<~tor (by means of a switching circuit 160') signals from a pair of one shot timers 190,192. The first one shot produces a pulse edge at a time that corresponds to a reference resistor 140', and the second one shot 192 produces a pulse edge that corresponds to the sensor I2 resistance value. The first one shot rnay be armed from a sign~~l produced by the energy storage circuit 46 (Fig.
5), and the second one shot armed by the pulse produced by the reference one shot. As in the other described embodiment, the comparator output 162' is a series of pulses encoded with the sensor 12 reading.
As described hereinbefore, the hand held unit :~4 includes appropriate circuitry for transducing the encoded light received from the control circuit 40 by means of the detector circuit 58. The controller 60 can be easily programmed to calculate the ratio (T1-~"2)~(Tl-T3) to determine the fuel level and quantity.
although not shown in detail in the Figures, the encoder circuit 52 may include a second or more ramp generators) and associated circuitry to generate a pulse series that encodes identification data such as the sensor 12 number, location, plane identifier and so one ~lternati'lely, the encoder could transmit one or more digital words (for example by use of a programmable l~C)l~ or other memory device) to the hand held unit 34 before the sensor data is transmitted, with the digital words being encoded data of interest to the ground crews While the invention has been shown and described with respect to specific embodiments thereof, this is for the purpose of illustration rather than limitation, and other variations and modifications of the specific embodiments herein shown and described will be apparent to those skilled in the art within- the intended spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (4)

1. A gauging apparatus for detecting liquid quantity in a container characterized by a dripstick having a housing that can be manually withdrawn from the container to obtain a visual reading of the liquid quantity based on the position of a float can the liquid surface; a sensor disposed in the housing and actuated by the float to produce an output related to the liquid quantity;
and electronic means for interrogating the sensor from a remote location.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electroinic means comprises a hand-held remote control device that interrogates the sensor over a wireless link.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said remote control device transmits electromagnetic energy to the sensor to energize the sensor, and receives electromagnetic energy from the sensor related to the liquid quantity.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the apparatus is installed in an aircraft fuel tank and said remote control device can interrogate the sensor from a ground location.