In a message dated 4/7/2007 11:33:13 A.M. Central Daylight Time,
glcasey@adelphia.net writes:
And there is no problem with venting the sensor to atmosphere as
the tank shouldn't be pressurized while standing still. What I don't
know is whether anyone would be willing to buy such a thing (probably about
$100). Might be a good stocking stuffer for the pilot who has everything
else. Any potential interest?
Gary,
Everybody's past experience leads them to different sensibilities. I
accumulated over 1100 hours in a Skymaster while I was building my
Lancair. With extended range tankage, I had six tanks, three to
a side, wired to the "brain" to compute fuel gauge displays that were never
accurate no matter how much money was invested in the system. They weren't
accurate even when they read empty (a random gaming event). The fuel flow
was implied by measuring the fuel pressure. While it had selector valves,
they were only needed for cross feed if flying a long distance on one
engine. It was a simple system, everything on the Right meant something to
the Rear, everything on the leFt meant something to the Front. One flew by
time, fill up to the 122 gal limit, consider 118 as usable, roughly guess
22 gals per hour unless flight time had to be stretched and then verify the time
vs usage value at each top up. High wing tanks provided a gravity
boost to the pumps.
I learned that I liked simple and I preferred accurate. No
timing tank switching for me.
Thus, on the Lancair, the VM fuel reporting system satisfied the accuracy
requirement for all tanks and the fuel flow rate. A "keep the header
tank full" automatic system satisfied the simple requirement. Pumping
from both wings simultaneously meant that the lateral trim never has to be
adjusted (ergo, no aileron trim on the stick) once trim is set for the
flight. There is no selector valve. The wings can be pumped "dry"
during level flight - all but a cup of the fuel is usable from those
sources. The header tank is a deep sump, properly baffled so that
all 8+ gallons, but for a quart or two, is usable regardless
of pitch, except under extreme uncoordinated flight. The boost pump
and engine pump never have to suck up, just assist gravity. If the main
aircraft power is completely lost, there are at least 8 gals in the
header to get me somewhere suitable for landing or crashing, whichever comes
first. Careful tank calibration and a fuel flow sensor give very accurate
level readings and total fuel used values, verified at each top up.
Uh, I still fly by time though, just as a backup.
I have everything I want relative to fuel (except a CO2 energy pump) and my
plump body has stuffed my stockings quite nicely. I am not a candidate for
your clever and sophisticated device. Others may have different
requirements.
Scott Krueger
AKA Grayhawk
Lancair N92EX IO320 SB 89/96
Aurora, IL
(KARR)
Darwinian culling phrase: Watch
This!