LIQUID QUANTITY MEASURING APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for determining a quantity of liquid in a tank when at least one liquid sensor is inoperative, a plurality of level signals are received from operative sensors. The inoperative sensors are identified because their signals are beyond predetermined thresholds. In a first method, a plurality of tables are stored in a memory and are grouped by identities of the possible inoperative sensor or sensors. One group of of such tables is selected based on the identified inoperative sensor or sensors. Then, that one group of tables is accessed and the quantity of liquid in the tank is calculated based on the readings of the operative sensors. In a second method, a first plurality of tables stores quantity readings for each sensor as if all sensors are operative. A second plurality of tables includes one table for each possible configuration of inoperative sensor or sensors. When the inoperative sensor or sensors are identified, one particular table in the second plurality is accessed and a quantity amount is then added to the liquid quantities determined from the first plurality of tables to provide a total liquid quantity in the tank. Preferably, all tables are loaded with liquid quantity values based upon studies emulating a variety of tank and liquid attitude conditions.

Description: The invention relates to a method of measuring a quantity of liquid in a tank having a plurality of liquid level sensors at least one of which may be inoperative, each sensor producing an output which when the sensor is operative provides a level signal corresponding to a level of liquid sensed at that sensor, the method comprising the steps of: receiving the plurality of outputs and detecting from said outputs the identity of any inoperative sensor whereby to detect the current combination of inoperative and operative sensors; and storing a plurality of first tables, one table for each sensor, each table containing predetermined quantities of liquid each of which is associated in the table with a corresponding level sensed by that sensor when it is operative. The invention also relates to apparatus for measuring a quantity of liquid in a tank, comprising: a plurality of liquid level sensors at least one of which may be inoperative, each sensor producing an output which when the sensor is operative provides a level signal corresponding to a level of liquid sensed at that sensor; means for receiving the plurality of outputs and detecting from said outputs the identity of any inoperative sensor whereby to detect the current combination of inoperative and operative sensors; and storing means storing a plurality of first tables, one table for each sensor, each table containing predetermined quantities of liquid each of which is associated in the table with a corresponding level sensed by that sensor when it is operative. Known aircraft fuel tanks come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Typically, aircraft fuel tanks are enclosed within the wings and fuselage of the aircraft. The wings and fuselage also contain a number of structural supports, electrical cable conduits, and other obstructions requiring the fuel tank configuration to be quite varied. Thus, a single fuel sensor in each tank will be unable to measure accurately the amount of fuel within that tank. Therefore, a plurality of such fuel sensors are usually provided in each aircraft fuel tank. When one or more of these sensors is rendered inoperative, an accurate reading of the fuel quantity in the tank is difficult to obtain. Furthermore, the dynamics of manoeuvering aircraft frequently cause the level of fuel in the tank to be other than horizontal. Figures 1 and 2 depict cross-sectioned and plan views of a representative aircraft fuel tank. Figures 1 and 2 depict a fuel tank 2, together with level sensors 4,6,8 and 10. When the aircraft is grounded or flying straight and level, the level of fuel will describe a horizontal line, for example, line 12 in Figure 1. However, as the aircraft banks, the local acceleration vector 14 will move from the vertical thus causing fuel 16 to have a level which is off-horizontal, for example, the level 18 shown in Figure 1. Should one of level sensors 4,6,8 or 10 become inoperative, the quantity of fuel in tank 2 must be calculated based on the outputs of the remaining operative sensors. The task of making up for the inoperative sensor is exacerbated by the forces imposed on fuel 16 during aircraft manoeuvering. Methods and apparatus of the forms first specified above are known from US-PS 4 352 159 (Colby). In Colby, when one sensor is detected as being inoperative, an output signal from that sensor is estimated based on one or more sensors ("sister sensors") corresponding to the inoperative sensor. This estimate is based on a formula providing a linear estimate of the level of fuel at the missing sensor. Colby derives the estimated sensor output by multiplying the length of the inoperative sensor by the sum of the outputs of associated sister sensors divided by the sum of the lengths of the sister sensors. For example (with reference to Figure 1 in the present Application), if sensor 6 is inoperative, and sensors 4 and 8 detect a liquid level at line 12, then the output of missing sensor 6 is estimated to be at the level 12 also. Obviously, such a rough solution is accurate only when the level of the fuel in the tank is stable and assumes that fuel quantity apportioned to the missing probe is proportional to the missing probe's length as a percentage of the total length of all probes. Furthermore, the system of Colby assumes only a single attitude of fuel within the tank and thus contains a significant error component for other possible fuel attitudes. Colby's linear approximation method assumes a single, usually horizontal, fuel level. If the aircraft manoeuvres and shifts the acceleration vector from the vertical position, the fuel level will change thus making the linear approximation of Colby very inaccurate. Therefore, the system of Colby is extremely inaccurate when the quantity of fuel is to be measured while the aircraft is manoeuvering or where the fuel level is in an attitude other than horizontal. A further problem with the Colby system arises where one of the sister sensors is also inoperative. In such a case, estimates for all missing sensors are unobtainable thus providing an extremely inaccurate measure of fuel quantity in the tank. In addition, Colby assumes a fairly horizontal configuration of the fuel tank itself. Referring to Figure 1, if sensor 8 is inoperative, Colby estimates its fuel level by a linear approximation of sensors 6 and 10. Since sensor 10 is located much higher in fuel tank 2, its reading will be very low where the fuel is horizontal. On the other hand, the level of fuel at sensor 6 will be quite high. Colby makes a linear approximation between a low reading of sensor 10 and a higher reading of sensor 6 to provide a mid-range reading estimate for inoperative sensor 8. Such a solution would be inaccurate since the estimate of an operative sensor 8 should also be in the area of line 12. Therefore, the Colby system is not optimum for oddly configured fuel tanks. Yet a further disadvantage of the Colby system is the length of time required to calculate the linear approximation of fuel quantity. The Colby system requires monitoring operative sensors and then performing multiplication and division which are computer-intensive operations. In a multi-sensor system, Colby may require too much time to provide a reading of fuel in the tank. A method and apparatus as first set forth above are also known from EP-A- 0040107 which partially corresponds to US-PS 4 352 159. This European specification discloses the use of tables relating sensor outputs with liquid volumes. However, its method of dealing with inoperative sensors also employs the use of "sister" probes, thus also suffering from the problems referred to above in connection with the Colby arrangement. The invention aims to provide a solution to these problems. Accordingly, the method as first set forth above is characterised by the steps of storing a plurality of second tables which provide, for each combination of inoperative and operative sensors, predetermined quantities of liquid corresponding respectively to the level signals provided by the operative sensors but compensating for the absence of a level signal from the or each inoperative sensor; selecting from the first tables, when no sensors are detected as being inoperative, the respective predetermined quantities of liquid corresponding to the level signals provided by all the sensors, whereby to indicate the quantity of liquid in the tank; and accessing the second tables, when at least one inoperative sensor is detected, so as to obtain therefrom, in dependence on the current combination of inoperative and operative sensors, the respective quantities of liquid corresponding to the level signals provided by the operative sensors and compensated for the absence of a level signal from the or each inoperative sensor, whereby to indicate the quantity of liquid in the tank. In addition, the apparatus as first set forth above is characterised in accordance with the invention by storing means storing a plurality of second tables which provide, for each combination of inoperative and operative sensors, predetermined quantities of liquid corresponding respectively to the level signals provided by the operative sensors but compensating for the absence of a level signal from the or each inoperative sensor; selecting means for selecting from the first tables, when no sensors are detected as being inoperative, the respective predetermined quantities of liquid corresponding to the level signals provided by all the sensors, whereby to indicate the quantity of liquid in the tank; and accessing means for accessing the second tables, when at least one inoperative sensor is detected, so as to obtain therefrom, in dependence on the current combination of inoperative and operative sensors, the respective quantities of liquid corresponding to the level signals provided by the operative sensors and compensated for the absence of a level signal from the or each inoperative sensor, whereby to indicate the quantity of liquid in the tank. Liquid quantity measuring apparatus embodying the invention and methods according to the invention for measuring liquid quantity will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 (already referred to) is a cross-sectional view of liquid in a tank; Figure 2 (also already referred to) is a top plan view of the tank of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a block diagram of the apparatus. The apparatus to be described is adapted for use in liquid quantity measuring systems whose accuracy of measurement may be degraded upon the loss of one or more sensors. In the aircraft industry, the basic sensor for measuring fuel volume or quantity has long been the capacitance sensor which has been accepted for many years as a rugged, reliable device. The capacitive probe is positioned within the fuel tank and typically includes structure which defines capacitor plates, or the functional equivalent, with the dielectric constant between the plates being determined by the level of fuel within the tank, as well as the air in the airspace above the fuel. The sensed capacitance is a function of the fuel level in the tank. A particular form of conditioning output signals from such sensors is described in co-pending European Application No. based on United States Patent Application Serial No. 042229, the teachings of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Output signals from the plurality of sensors within the fuel tank are fed to a micro-computer or similar processing device which provides an output signal containing the total quantity of fuel within the tank. In order to improve the accuracy of the microcomputer output signal, the microprocessor memory is loaded with predetermined quantity values for the particular tank in question. For example, the sensor gauging accuracy is improved by deriving the fuel quantity information from a computerized study which takes into account such characteristics as tank shape, tank volume, tank attitude, and local acceleration vector of the fuel. The computer analyzes the tank shape and attitudes, etc. and then derives a table of values for each sensor that will give maximum accuracy. Basically, a table of fuel quantity values may be derived for each of a plurality of tank shapes, and attitudes. Alternatively, a single table may be derived containing fuel quantity data which has been normalized for all expected tank shapes, attitudes, etc. The apparatus to be described will work in either system. Each table stored in the processor memory includes a plurality of liquid heights for each sensor, with corresponding fuel quantities for each height. The fuel quantities are preferably predetermined in accordance with the computerized modelling described above, but may also be generated through empirical experiment. When the processor receives the output signals from each of these sensors, it accesses the plurality of tables and derives a fuel quantity amount from each table. Then the processor sums these fuel quantities to derive the total fuel quantity within the tank. A technique for performing the above manipulations with the tables is set forth in co-pending EP-A-0289303 based on US-A-4908783. The missing probe recovery technique of the present apparatus addresses the problem where one or more sensors in an array of sensors is inoperative. Given a fuel tank of arbitrary and nonuniform shape with a dynamic liquid load, an array of sensors, each of which senses liquid height is disposed in the tank. A table of values is stored in the processor which relates the height of liquid at each sensor to quantity of fuel in the tank. By adding the quantity associated with each sensor together, the total quantity contained in the tank is determined. Shown below is a typical set of tables for a three sensor system. However, it should be remembered that the apparatus is applicable to any multi-sensor liquid quantity measuring system. As shown, Table 1 above incorporates three individual tables, one for each of the three sensors are shown. Each unit of quantity in Table 1 may correspond to 4.546 litres (one gallon). In an example using the system of Table 1, it is assumed that the liquid height sensed at Sensor 1 is 3, at Sensor 2 is also 3, and at Sensor 3 is likewise 3. Then, the total quantity of fuel in the tank is 20+20+10=50 units corresponding to 227.3 litres or 50 gallons. It can be seen that if one of the sensors is rendered inoperative, then it is impossible, given the above figures, to calculate the correct fuel quantity in the tank. Two methods for overcoming the problem of an inoperative sensor or sensors will now be described. The first method is very accurate but its memory requirements within the processor are intensive. The second method is slightly less accurate, but requires a minimum of additional memory space. According to the first method, a set of tables for each sensor is derived assuming that a given one or number of sensors is missing. These tables correspond to the tables that would have been derived had the missing sensor never existed. For example, the computer-generated fuel quantity values stored in the tables are derived without regard to a missing sensor. With reference to Figure 1, the fuel quantities may be derived as if Sensor 4 and/or 8 never existed. Thus, the output signals from the operative sensors only are used to generate the fuel quantity amounts stored in the tables. For the example given with reference to Table 1, there would be two tables provided for a "Sensor 1 inoperative" condition. Likewise, two tables would be provided for a "Sensor 3 inoperative" condition. Examples of these tables are shown below. Table 2 incorporates two tables, one for Sensor 2 and one for Sensor 3. Taking the same example as discussed above under Table 1, both Sensors 2 and 3 detect fuel at height 3. Therefore, the amount of fuel in the tank is 30+20=50. This corresponds to the result earlier obtained, wherein no sensors were inoperative. Table 3 incorporates two tables, one for Sensor 1 and one for Sensor 3. Taking the same example again, as discussed under Table 1, if Sensors 1 and 3 both detect fluid at a height of level 3, the total of fuel in the tank is 30+20=50. Again, this corresponds to the result obtained when no sensors are detected as inoperative. Table 4 incorporates two tables, one for Sensor 1 and one for Sensor 2. Again taking the same example as discussed under Table 1, if each of Sensors 1 and 2 detect fluid at a level of 3, then the quantity of fuel in tank is equal 25+25=50. Again, this corresponds to the result as if no sensors were bad. Therefore, in this first method, a number of groupings of tables are made. Each grouping corresponds to a condition where one (or more) sensors are detected as being inoperative. For example, it is known that aircraft fuel tanks may include from three to twenty sensors (for example). Thus, all possible permutations and combinations of inoperative sensors may be taken into account in providing tables for the first method. When a particular sensor or sensors is or are detected as being inoperative, the appropriate grouping of tables is selected. Then, readings from the operative sensors are accessed to the selected group of tables to provide the appropriate fuel quantity amounts to be summed. In the first method, the normal fuel quantity values stored in the first plurality of tables according to Table 1 are selected when no sensors are detected as being inoperative. Then, when a sensor or sensors is or are detected as being inoperative, the appropriate grouping of tables from the second plurality of tables according to Tables 2,3 and 4 are selected and accessed with the level signals from the operative sensors within the tank. It can be seen that the first method gives very accurate results since a grouping of tables is provided for each combination of inoperative sensors. The first method uses the power of the computer-generated predetermined values to derive the very best values to use for all of the operating sensors. Thus, the computer-generated predetermined fuel quantity values may be derived by operating the computer analysis program with only the operating probes present. As far as the computer analysis program is concerned, the failed sensors do not exist. Thus, the tables derived give the best possible accuracy achievable without the use of the designated failed sensor. The data storage requirements are, however, intense because a respective grouping of tables must be provided for each permutation of failed sensors possible. Where twenty sensors are present in the tank, this memory requirement is quite large. In the simple case where one sensors fails, N² tables must be provided where N is the total number of sensors. In the second method, fuel quantity accuracy is traded-off for a lower memory requirement. The second method stores only one table for each combination of sensors which fails, in addition to the all-sensors operative tables as depicted in Table 1. Thus, a first plurality of tables is provided according to normal operating conditions, and a second plurality of tables is provided for the case where onr or more sensor are inoperative. In the second plurality of tables, a table is stored for each combination of failed sensors and provides a quantity contribution for that failed sensor or sensors. In a particularly convenient embodiment, the address for each of the tables in the second plurality is the sum of the quantity units (litres or gallons) determined from the operative sensors according to the first plurality of tables (as depicted in Table 1). Thus, the level signals from each of the operative sensors is first obtained from the first plurality of tables (in Table 1) and a quantity of fuel for the operative sensors is derived. This total quantity amount is then used to address the particular table in the second plurality of tables which corresponds to the given failed sensor configuration. This fuel quantity amount will, for example, be the address in the particular table in the second plurality. This address will then provide a quantity amount which is to be added to the quantity of fuel derived from the first plurality of tables, to produce a total fuel quantity in the tank. An example is given below: This Table incorporates three tables, one corresponding to failure of each of the three sensors. According to the example used earlier discussed under Table 1, assume that the liquid level height sensed at Sensor 1 is 3 and is the same at Sensor 3, and that Sensor 2 has failed. From the quantities given in Table 1, the quantity value for Sensor 1 is 20 units, and the quantity value for Sensor 3 is 10 units, thus giving a total quantity for the two operative sensors of 20+10=30 units (i.e. 136.38 litres or 30 gallons). Using this value, the "Sensor 2 Failed table" in Table 5 is addressed. At the address "30" therein, the corresponding quantity of 20 units is read off, and the total fuel quantity in the tank is then 30+20=50 units (i.e. 227.3 litres or 50 gallons). The second method requires significantly less storage, but is only accurate at the set of conditions under which the "sensor-failed" data are derived. The second method selects the most common set of conditions to be found in the tank, for example, normalizing the liquid levels of the most expected attitudes of fuel within the tank. The tables representing these conditions are then analyzed by assuming one or more sensors have failed, adding the values of all operating sensors together at each fuel level, and noting the contribution of failed sensor at each fuel level. Thus, the sum of the remaining sensors acts as the address to determine the contribution of the failed sensor at the set of conditions under which the table was derived. The above examples are necessarily simple, but they properly illustrate the nature of the two methods of providing reasonably accurate liquid quantities when one or more of a group of sensors has failed. Since the tables may be derived from empirical or computer-generated studies using actual tank and liquid attitude figures, extremely accurate results are obtainable. Those having skill in this field will realize the advantages compared with known systems, for example Colby, wherein only linear approximations are obtainable. Figure 3 depicts one form of the apparatus. Sensors S₁ to S n each include a capacitive and a resistance value, more fully described in co-pending US-A-4968946. Sensors S₁ to S n are driven by drive units DU₁ to DU n respectively. The drive units are driven by the multiplexer 22, which in turn is fed by waveform control 24, rate of change device 26, and processor 40. The outputs of Sensors S₁ - S n are fed to transconductance amplifier 28 and analog-to-digital converter 30, where they are digitized and transmitted to the processing unit 40. The embodiment of Figure 3 operates so as to poll the sensor reference S ref and the various sensors S n selectively. For example, the processing unit 40 controls the multiplexer 22 to select the sensor reference S ref whose output is converted by the transconductance amplifier 29 to a voltage which, in amplifier form through the A/D converter 30, is fed to the processor 40. Each of the sensors S n is interrogated in a sequential manner with the output signals being fed to the processor 40. Where an output signal from a particular sensor is above or below high and low threshold amounts respectively, it may be assumed that the sensor is inoperative (for example, electrically shorted or open-circuited). In such a manner, the inoperative sensor or sensors may be identified by their position in the polling sequence. Conveniently a display unit 42, for example a digital LED display, may be coupled to the processor for displaying the total fuel quantity calculated by the processor. All tables according to either method described above may be suitably tailored to emulate accurately a specific system which is to be quantified. For example, each tank shape and dynamic liquid loading configuration can be readily replicated and accounted for in the tables. According to the first method, a plurality of attitudes may be taken into account, while the second method takes into account a single composite attitude. Nevertheless, the attitude error component according to either method is very low, as compared opposed to the Colby system which has a high error component for different attitudes. The apparatus described utilizes off-the-shelf components. For example, the level sensors are well known and in present use. Likewise, the processor may be any convenient microprocessor, for example, an INTEL 80C31. A particular advantage of the apparatus described is its adaptability for known fuel-gauging systems. The two methods described above allow a trading-off process to be carried out for any particular adaptation. For example, where accuracy does not need to be extreme, and memory requirements are limited, the second method may be appropriate. However, where the accuracy requirement is high but memory is inexpensive, the first method may be appropriate. This trade-off between accuracy and memory size allows a wide range of liquid gauging systems to be realized. Thus, what has been described above are method and apparatus for accurately and reliably measuring a quantity of liquid in a tank when one or more liquid level sensors are inoperative. Persons of skill in this field may readily perceive that a number of modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. While the invention has been described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, the present invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of protection afford by the appended claims. The scope of the appended claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and methods.

Claims: A method of measuring a quantity of liquid in a tank having a plurality of liquid level sensors (S₁....S n ) at least one of which may be inoperative, each sensor producing an output which when the sensor is operative provides a level signal corresponding to a level of liquid sensed at that sensor, the method comprising the steps of: receiving the plurality of outputs and detecting from said outputs the identity of any inoperative sensor whereby to detect the current combination of inoperative and operative sensors; and storing a plurality (Table 1) of first tables, one table for each sensor, each table containing predetermined quantities of liquid each of which is associated in the table with a corresponding level sensed by that sensor when it is operative; characterised by the steps of storing a plurality (Tables 2,3,4; Table 5) of second tables which provide, for each combination of inoperative and operative sensors, predetermined quantities of liquid corresponding respectively to the level signals provided by the operative sensors but compensating for the absence of a level signal from the or each inoperative sensor; selecting from the first tables (in Table 1), when no sensors are detected as being inoperative, the respective predetermined quantities of liquid corresponding to the level signals provided by all the sensors, whereby to indicate the quantity of liquid in the tank; and accessing the second tables (in Tables 2,3,4;5), when at least one inoperative sensor is detected, so as to obtain therefrom, in dependence on the current combination of inoperative and operative sensors, the respective quantities of liquid corresponding to the level signals provided by the operative sensors and compensated for the absence of a level signal from the or each inoperative sensor, whereby to indicate the quantity of liquid in the tank. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the second tables (in Tables 2,3,4) are arranged in groups, each group corresponding to a predetermined said combination of inoperative and operative sensors, each table in a particular group being respective to a particular one of the operative sensors and containing predetermined quantities of liquid each associated in that table with a corresponding one of the level signals provided by that sensor, these predetermined quantities of liquid being compensated for the absence of a level signal from the or each inoperative sensor in the corresponding combination, and in that the accessing step comprises the steps of accessing the second tables of the particular group corresponding to the current combination of inoperative and operative sensors, obtaining from the tables of that group the predetermined quantities of liquid respectively associated in the tables with the level signals provided by the operative sensors, and summing the predetermined quantities of liquid so obtained. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that each second table (in Table 5) corresponds to a particular combination of inoperative and operative sensors and stores quantities of liquid respectively being the sums of the predetermined quantities of liquid corresponding to particular combinations of level signals provided by the operative sensors and, associated with each such sum, a quantity of liquid compensating for the absence of a level signal from the or each inoperative sensor, and in that the accessing step comprises the steps of accessing the particular second table corresponding to the current combination of inoperative and operative sensors and deriving therefrom, in dependence on the particular combination of level signals provided by the operative sensors, the associated said quantity of liquid compensating for the absence of level signal from the or each inoperative sensor, and adding that quantity of liquid to the sum of the predetermined quantities of liquid corresponding to the particular combination of level signals provided by the operative sensors. A method according to claim 3, characterised in that the said sum is derived from the respective first tables (in Table 1) corresponding to the operative sensors. A method according to any preceding claim, characterised by the step of determining the quantities of liquid represented in the tables based upon a plurality of positional attitudes of the liquid in the tank. A method according to any preceding claim, characterised by the step of displaying the quantity of liquid in the tank. Apparatus for measuring a quantity of liquid in a tank, comprising: a plurality of liquid level sensors (S₁....S n ) at least one of which may be inoperative, each sensor producing an output which when the sensor is operative provides a level signal corresponding to a level of liquid sensed at that sensor; means (28,30,40) for receiving the plurality of outputs and detecting from said outputs the identity of any inoperative sensor whereby to detect the current combination of inoperative and operative sensors; and storing means (40) storing a plurality (Table 1) of first tables, one table for each sensor, each table containing predetermined quantities of liquid each of which is associated in the table with a corresponding level sensed by that sensor when it is operative; characterised by storing means (40) storing a plurality (in Tables 2,3,4; Table 5) of second tables which provide, for each combination of inoperative and operative sensors (S₁....S n ), predetermined quantities of liquid corresponding respectively to the level signals provided by the operative sensors but compensating for the absence of a level signal from the or each inoperative sensor; selecting means (40) for selecting from the first tables (in Table 1), when no sensors (S₁.....S n ) are detected as being inoperative, the respective predetermined quantities of liquid corresponding to the level signals provided by all the sensors, whereby to indicate the quantity of liquid in the tank; and accessing means (40) for accessing the second tables (in Tables 2,3,4;5), when at least one inoperative sensor is detected, so as to obtain therefrom, in dependence on the current combination of inoperative and operative sensors, the respective quantities of liquid corresponding to the level signals provided by the operative sensors and compensated for the absence of a level signal from the or each inoperative sensor, whereby to indicate the quantity of liquid in the tank. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterised in that the second tables (in Tables 2,3,4) are arranged in groups, each group corresponding to a predetermined said combination of inoperative and operative sensors (S₁....S n ), each table in a particular group being respective to a particular one of the operative sensors and containing predetermined quantities of liquid each associated in that table with a corresponding one of the level signals provided by that sensor, these predetermined quantities of liquid being compensated for the absence of a level signal from the or each inoperative sensor in the corresponding combination, and in that the accessing means (40) comprises means for accessing the second tables (in Tables 2,3,4) of the particular group corresponding to the current combination of inoperative and operative sensors, means (40) for obtaining from the tables of that group the predetermined quantities of liquid respectively associated in the tables with the level signals provided by the operative sensors, and summing means (40) for summing the predetermined quantities of liquid so obtained. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterised in that each second table (in Table 5) corresponds to a particular combination of inoperative and operative sensors (S₁......S n ) and stores quantities of liquid respectively being the sums of the predetermined quantities of liquid corresponding to particular combinations of level signals provided by the operative sensors and, associated with each such sum, a quantity of liquid compensating for the absence of a level signal from the or each inoperative sensor, and in that the accessing means (40) comprises means for accessing the particular second table (in Table 5) corresponding to the current combination of inoperative and operative sensors and deriving therefrom, in dependence on the particular combination of level signals provided by the operative sensors, the associated said quantity of liquid compensating for the absence of level signal from the or each inoperative sensor, and adding means for adding that quantity of liquid to the sum of the predetermined quantities of liquid corresponding to the particular combination of level signals provided by the operative sensors. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterised in that the said sum is derived from the respective first tables (in Table 1) corresponding to the operative sensors. Apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterised by means (40) for determining the quantities of liquid represented in the tables based upon a plurality of positional attitudes of the liquid in the tank. Apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11, including displaying means for displaying the quantity of liquid in the tank.

Inventors: MAIER, LAWRENCE CARL
Applicants: SIMMONDS PRECISION PRODUCTS INC.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: G01F23
IPC codes: G01F23, G01F3