Todd N Thomas

US Patent:

20160138958, May 19, 2016

Filed:

Nov 19, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/547828

Inventors:

- Chicago IL, US
Dennis G. Koshinz - Bellevue WA, US
Eric Y. Chan - Mercer Island WA, US
Todd C. Thomas - Mukilteo WA, US
J. Everett Groat - Snohomish WA, US
Sigvard J. Wahlin - Everett WA, US
John L. Vento - Arlington WA, US
Sham S. Hariram - Seattle WA, US
Richard J. Nesting - Everett WA, US

Assignee:

THE BOEING COMPANY - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01F 23/292

Abstract:

Systems and methods that use an optical impedance sensor that eliminates electricity for measuring fuel quantity in fuel tanks. The optical impedance sensor comprises two optical fibers spaced apart inside a meniscus tube, one to transmit light along its length and the other to receive light along its length. The meniscus tube minimizes the sloshing of fuel level. The fuel level in the tank modulates the optical impedance between the two optical fibers, resulting in changes in the total light received by an optical detector. Depending on fuel tank height, the optical impedance sensor may comprise different embodiments in which the detection apparatus shapes the light to be unidirectional (emitted and collected only on one side of the fiber) or omnidirectional (all directions).