nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
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 Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 6:48 pm Post subject: AeroElectric-List Digest: 41 Msgs - 08/13/09 |
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At 03:43 PM 8/14/2009, you wrote:
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How about engrave graduated markings on a tab that extends to the bottom
of the tank, an LED light source, and a CMOS camera to view the tab, and
another LCD screen on which to view the actual fuel in the tank? Would
have to mount the camera on/in something not damaged by fuel.. Aim the
camera so that you can also see tank outlet so that you can tell if you
are sucking air. Seeing is believing. Tongue only slightly in-cheek.
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Actually, been there done that. I worked a Baron accident
about 30 years ago where there were allegations made
about behavior of fuel in partially filled tanks. We did
some testing that involved mounting a stack of 1/2" thick
optical sensors at the outlet of the tank. Each sensor
drove one light bulb in a vertical array on the panel.
Each light representing 1/2 of fuel depth at the outlet.
Had the privilege of meeting and flying with Al White
who was hired by Beech's law firm as a "disinterested
witness".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_S._White
We did a lot of maneuvers on the ground and in the air
with varying amounts of fuel in the tank to document
behavior. Bottom line was that we verified Beech's
admonition not to take off using main tanks and to
be careful about certain maneuvers after the tanks
were drawn below about 7 gal. Later, another group
stuck a camera and lights to record more details.
That stack of prisms at the outlet is not hard to build
if anyone wants to try it. I can recall seeing
that column of lights really "stroking" under pretty
ordinary conditions. It's pretty exciting in that
tank. Baffles and check valves are useful to
reduce violence of liquid motion.
Bob . . .
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