What is the Aviation Market for Fuel Level Sensing Technology
- Fuel Level Sensing is a very large market for other vehicle types or stationary fuel storage, aviation is a minuscule percentage of sales.
- The following companies are big players in these markets and are protective of their market share:
- Textron Kautex -TI Group
- Wallbro - Robert Bosch
- Hyundai Mobis - Delphi
- VDO - Toyota
- Bourns - Methode
- Rochester Gauge - Wema, Isspro, S-W
- Most of these companies are not interested in or will actively avoid the aviation market
- Business interest to license is minimal and no interest in government controlled production
- Exposure to litigation
- Fuel Level Sensor industry is protective of its Intellectual Property.
- Hotly Contested Territory (It has been termed a patent minefield)
- A thorough patent search is required, prior to initiating a design process.
- Interest in sharing and licensing intellectual property is limited at best.
- Fuel Level Sensing in aircraft needs to be "Intrisically Safe".
- Explosion Proof
- Limited Spark or Heat energy in the fuel tank
- TWA 800 Disaster brought about changes in FAA policy / regs.
- SFAR 88 - Wire separation from fuel system.
- Electronic Wiring Inspection System - EWIS.
- Fuel Level Sensing in aircraft is complex.
- Fuel can contain dissolved air - ie. Jet A 14% by volume
- This will outgas like soda at altitude.
- This will influence simple capacitive level systems
- Aviation fuel will contain water
- The changes in altitude due to descent will suck ambient air into the fuel tank, that air will contain water vapor that will condense and mix with the fuel.
- This will influence simple capacitive level systems
- Aviation fuel will support biological growth and water in fuel will initiate corrosion
- Metallic or resistive components in the tank will be adversely effected and fuel level output in turn will be adversely effected.
- Fuel in aircraft is more dynamic.
- A vehicle with three dimensions of motion allows for a very dynamic fuel environment.
- This movement will wear away resistance senders of all types and require mechanical complexities to capacitive sensors to stabilize the local fuel level.
- Replacements to 100 LL Avgas may not be so friendly to existing resistance senders in the fuel tank.
- Non-Contact Fuel Level Sensing, which meets the requirement for "Intrinsically Safe" is actively pursued and "IP" accumulated in the Fuel Sender Industry for functional and business reasons.
- Current best sensor system for Multi-Fuel vehicles
- Best sensor system for 100% alcohol fueled vehicles
- Solves issues with partial alcohol content - corrosion
- Solves issues with de-sulfered diesel
- Required for LNG - LPG
- Future vehicle systems with long term fuel storage i.e.. Chevrolet Volt
- Aviation specific fuel system suppliers are not actively interested in the Non-Commercial, Non-Business aircraft application of their products or product lines.
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