Optical Fuel Measurement

Established fuel measurement systems on aircraft as well as on various ground vehicles are based on ultrasonic and/or capacitive measurements and consequently electrical power is needed within the fuel tank. These traditional technologies are relatively heavy and are a source of risk, as inflammable vapor is present and an explosion can occur if an electrical failure appears.

m-u-t Aviation-Technology has addressed these issues with its Optical Fuel Measurement System – OFMS.

Our system provides multiple advantages, compared to traditional systems:

• OFMS as a non-electrical system and is purely based on optical and mechanical components hence eliminates the risk of electrical failure and resulting explosions. 
• OFMS is much lighter than traditional system and saves approximately 1/3 of the total fuel measurement system weight.
• OFMS is perfectly fitted for both traditional metal/aluminum aircraft and especially carbon fiber aircraft as it does not need any bonding material since it is made of non conductive material.

The optical fuel measurement system OFMS developed by m-u-t Aviation-Technology is based on a differential absorption method, where two optical measurements for each fuel-probe are being calculated and represent a fuel height:

Optical level sensing

Uses optical fibers to deliver light to the fuel-probe within the tank and to guide light, that was changed by the properties of the fuel and its level, back to the detection unit which is placed within the aircraft fuselage (patent is pending). 

Optical density measurement

The density of aviation fuel is correlated to its optical refractive index. Therefore, this property can be utilized to establish a pure optical detection probe incorporated in the fuel tank. m-u-t has developed and patented a method to remotely sense this refractive index.