초록 ▼

A fuel or fluid level measurement arrangement for a spacecraft includes one or more electromagnetic transmission lines extending into the reservoir. The presence of fuel adjacent the transmission line changes the dielectric constant or loss characteristics of the transmission line(s) in a measurable

A fuel or fluid level measurement arrangement for a spacecraft includes one or more electromagnetic transmission lines extending into the reservoir. The presence of fuel adjacent the transmission line changes the dielectric constant or loss characteristics of the transmission line(s) in a measurable manner. In one embodiment, strip transmission lines extend parallel to the fluid surface at various degrees of ullage, and the fuel level can be established to within the spacing between the transmission lines.

대표청구항 ▼

An arrangement for measuring the amount of liquid in a storage tank and adapted for use in a low gravity environment, which tank has a curved cross-section in at least one plane, said arrangement comprising: a flat vane in the form of an annulus defining inner and outer edges, said vane being suppor

An arrangement for measuring the amount of liquid in a storage tank and adapted for use in a low gravity environment, which tank has a curved cross-section in at least one plane, said arrangement comprising: a flat vane in the form of an annulus defining inner and outer edges, said vane being supported within said tank with said outer edge contiguous with the inner surface of said tank in said plane, wherein absent a dominant gravitational force said liquid will tend to accumulate in a region about said outer edge; a plurality of elongated, open electromagnetic transmission lines, each including at least one elongated conductor, each of said transmission lines extending into said tank and, within said tank, extending in a curve which is in a substantially parallel relationship to at least one of said inner and outer edges of said vane, whereby each of said transmission lines extends in a curve substantially parallel to an expected surface of said liquid, and whereby each of said transmission lines is loaded by the presence of said liquid when said tank is full, and whereby each in turn is completely unloaded at a predetermined ullage condition of said tank; and means coupled to said transmission lines for individually measuring a characteristic of each of said transmission lines which depends upon the loading by adjacent liquid.