Abstract: An apparatus and method of measuring free water, also known as undissolved water, in hydrocarbon fuel. A housing defines a chamber and is adapted to receive a fluorescein impregnated filter pad in the chamber between a UV light source and a light sensor. The filter pad is exposed to the fuel causing the free water to react with the fluorescein and is then placed within the chamber between the light source and sensor. The UV light strikes one side surface of the filter pad and excites the reacted fluorescein thereby causing light emitted from the UV light reacted fluorescein filter pad opposite side surface to strike the light sensor. An output from the light sensor is proportional to the fluorescein on the filter pad which reacted with free water and is used for providing an output value representative of the free water present in the hydrocarbon fuel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of measuring free water, also known as undissolved water, in hydrocarbon fuel. A housing defines a chamber and is adapted to receive a fluorescein impregnated filter pad in the chamber between a UV light source and a light sensor. The filter pad is exposed to the fuel causing the free water to react with the fluorescein and is then placed within the chamber between the light source and sensor. The UV light strikes one side surface of the filter pad and excites the reacted fluorescein thereby causing light emitted from the UV light reacted fluorescein filter pad opposite side surface to strike the light sensor. An output from the light sensor is proportional to the fluorescein on the filter pad which reacted with free water and is used for providing an output value representative of the free water present in the hydrocarbon fuel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of measuring free water, also known as undissolved water, in hydrocarbon fuel. A housing defines a chamber and is adapted to receive a fluorescein impregnated filter pad in the chamber between a UV light source and a light sensor. The filter pad is exposed to the fuel causing the free water to react with the fluorescein and is then placed within the chamber between the light source and sensor. The UV light strikes one side surface of the filter pad and excites the reacted fluorescein thereby causing light emitted from the UV light reacted fluorescein filter pad opposite side surface to strike the light sensor. An output from the light sensor is proportional to the fluorescein on the filter pad which reacted with free water and is used for providing an output value representative of the free water present in the hydrocarbon fuel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of measuring free water, also known as undissolved water, in hydrocarbon fuel. A housing defines a chamber and is adapted to receive a fluorescein impregnated filter pad in the chamber between a UV light source and a light sensor. The filter pad is exposed to the fuel causing the free water to react with the fluorescein and is then placed within the chamber between the light source and sensor. The UV light strikes one side surface of the filter pad and excites the reacted fluorescein thereby causing light emitted from the UV light reacted fluorescein filter pad opposite side surface to strike the light sensor. An output from the light sensor is proportional to the fluorescein on the filter pad which reacted with free water and is used for providing an output value representative of the free water present in the hydrocarbon fuel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving fuel efficiency in an aircraft having a digital avionics system and at least first and second engines. The avionics system includes first and second full-authority digital engine control (FADEC) systems and corresponding first and second engines. At least one processor is provided that is programmed with a differential specific fuel consumption (DSFC) algorithm and first and second engine optimization algorithms. The DSFC algorithm adjusts the throttle of the first and second engines to substantially equalize the differential specific fuel consumption of the engines and thereby improve the fuel efficiency of the aircraft. The first and second engine optimization algorithms adjust at least one operating parameter of the first and second engines respectively to improve the fuel efficiency of the first and second engines.

Abstract: A particulate and free water contamination measuring apparatus includes a slide tray adapted for carrying either particulate sample filter elements or free water sample filter elements. The slide tray carrying the filter elements is inserted in a reading chamber whereat, in the particulate mode, the apparatus reads the opacity of two sample filters and, in the free water mode, the apparatus reads fluorescence of the free water filter element. The voltage signals representative of particulates or free water are digitized by an analog to digital converter and read and stored by a digital computer. The digital computer monitors the location of the slide tray within the reading chamber by monitoring location detection switches operable in response to the location of the slide within the reading chamber.

Abstract: A system and method to maximize fuel efficiency for a plurality of simultaneously operating engines is disclosed. The system includes means to determine the fuel consumption of the engine, measure the thrust of each engine and means to substantially equalize the ratio of the fuel consumption to the thrust between each of the engines. A pressure transducer is included to provide thrust data supply to each of the engines to a microprocessor, and a microprocessor is run to substantially equalize the ratio of the fuel consumption to the thrust to provide an increased fuel efficient system.

Abstract: A fuel contamination detection system for use in testing the contamination level of a fuel sample, wherein the system is selectively operable in a first mode as a particulate detector and in a second mode as a free water detector. A filter support slide includes two apertures and is adapted to support different sizes of filter elements over the apertures. In the particulate detector mode, the slide carries a pair of filter elements through which a fuel sample has been passed, wherein one filter element bears particulates from the sample. A particulate detection circuit includes an incandescent light and a photocell, between which the slide is moved to introduce one filter element and then the other, whereby a differential reading of their respective opacities is obtained and displayed. In the free water detector mode, only one aperture of the slide is used to carry a chemically treated water filter pad.

Abstract: A fuel monitor assembly for use in testing the contamination level of a fuel sample is disclosed, including a housing having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, and a fuel filter capsule disposed within the housing. The filter capsule includes an inlet half and an outlet half, wherein the halves interfit to retain a membrane filter therebetween. The inlet half of the filter capsule is integrally formed with an inlet dispersion structure that radially disperses an incoming stream of fuel so as to equalize the pressure across the face of the membrane filter, thereby resulting in even distribution of contaminant particulates deposited on the membrane filter. The outlet half of the filter capsule is integrally formed with a recessed, radially symmetric grid configuration that channels fuel passing through the membrane filter to the fuel outlet, and also encourages equal pressure distribution across the face of the membrane filter.

Abstract: A portable, lightweight, compact contaminated fuel detector uses a standard batch sampling technique. This is done through two series filters in a filter holder into a vacuum receptacle. The differential filter opacity is checked in a photocell fixture using a light whose intensity is first adjusted by potentiometer to a standard level using a milliammeter which is also read to determine each filter opacity. The compactness and weight reduction is accomplished using a lightweight box enclosure with a supporting deck carrying equipment including a hand-operated vertically oriented vacuum pump and careful arrangement of the pump within the enclosure relative to other elements of the system.

Abstract: A portable compact contaminated fuel detector is used with a standard batch sampling technique. The sample is passed through two series filters in a filter holder into a vacuum receptacle. The differential filter opacity is checked in a photocell fixture using a light whose intensity is first adjusted by a potentiometer to a standard level using a milliammeter which is also read to determine each filter opacity. The operating structure is carried on a tiered deck providing different horizontal levels for greater ease and facility in performing tests. The device is combinable with a free water detector, preferably within the enclosure provided by the deck and having an auxiliary movable closure through which the test procedure may be viewed. The free water detector includes a sample holder for filter sample in close proximity to a plurality of comparison standards representative of different water content levels against which the sample may be compared.