FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10, rule 13)
/. Title of the invention: AUTOMATED FUEL GAUGING SYSTEM
2. Applicant(s)
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS
BHARAT PETROLEUM Indian Bharat Bhavan, 4&6, Currimbhoy CORPORATION LIMITED Road, Ballard Estate, Mumbai - 400 001, India
S. Preamble to the description
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it
is to be performed.

FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter relates to automated fuel gauging systems and, particularly, but not exclusively, to an automated fuel gauging system for aviation turbine fuel (ATF) refuellers.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In aviation industry, aviation turbine fuel (ATF) refuellers are used for transporting ATF to an aircraft which is to be refueled. Prior to refuelling of the aircraft, the ATF is tested for ensuring that the ATF meets a predefined quality standard. Typically, the testing of the ATF is performed by a skilled personnel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0003] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and/or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0004] Figure I illustrates an automated fuel gauging (AFG) system for determining fuel information corresponding to ATFs in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) refuellers, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0005] Figure 2 illustrates an ATF refueller implementing the AFG system, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0006] Figure 3 illustrates a method for testing ATFs, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0007] Testing of fuels is an important pre-requisite in several industrial applications which require fuel for operation. For example, in aviation industry, testing of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) is done prior to fuelling of aircrafts for ensuring that the ATF is of a predefined quality standard. Quality of the ATF may get affected due to several factors. For example, atmospheric conditions surrounding an ATF refueller via which the ATF is being transported may affect physical properties, such as density and temperature, of the ATF. As a result, the quality of the ATF may get affected. .
[0008] In a conventional approach, skilled personnel may be deployed for testing of ATF. In said approach, a sample of the ATF may be taken and subsequently tested for ascertaining whether the ATF is of the predefined quality standard or not. Based on the ascertaining, the ATF may be used for operations. However, sampling of the ATF may prove to be a cumbersome task and may increase the overall time associated with the testing of the ATF. Thus, the conventional approach may not prove to be an efficient method for testing ATFs in time sensitive operations, such as fuelling operations of aircrafts. Moreover, there exists a possibility of obtaining erroneous results due to human error. Further, the testing of ATFs may prove to be difficult under adverse weather conditions.
[0009] The present subject matter describes systems and methods for testing ATFs stored in a ATF refueller. According to an aspect, a sensing assembly comprising a probe, fixed to a surface of the ATF refueller, for determining fuel information corresponding to ATF stored in the ATF refueller is provided. In an example, the fuel information may comprise a density, a temperature, and a volume of ATF stored in the ATF refueller. In accordance with the present subject matter, deployment of skilled personnel for the testing of ATFs may be averted thereby significantly reducing the probability of obtaining erroneous results due to human error. Moreover, as the need for sampling is averted, the overall time associated with the testing of ATFs is reduced.

[0010] As mentioned above, the sensing assembly may determine the fuel information corresponding to the ATF stored in the ATF refueller. In an implementation, the sensing assembly may comprise one or more floats coupled to the probe. In said implementation, each of the floats may have a sensor attached to the float for determining the fuel information. For example, a first float may have a sensor attached to it for determining the fuel density. While a second float may have a sensor attached to it for determining the fuel temperature. Further, a third float may determine the volume of the ATF stored in the ATF refueller. Upon determination of the fuel information, the fuel information may be displayed through a fuel gauge display unit, coupled to the probe, in a first display format. In an example, the fuel gauge display unit may be provided in a cabin area of the ATF refueller for displaying the fuel information in the first display format.
[0011] In an implementation, the fuel information may be processed for obtaining the fuel information in a second display format. The fuel information may then be transmitted to a display unit for displaying the fuel information in the second display format. In an example, the fuel information may be displayed as a ticker on the display unit. In said example, the rest of the display unit may be utilized for displaying other videos or advertisement.
[0012] As will be clear from the foregoing description, manual sampling of the ATF during the testing of the ATF is averted. As a result, the overall time associated with the testing of the ATF is reduced. Further, the testing of the ATF may be done independent of the weather conditions. As a result, the testing can be performed under adverse weather conditions, for example, heavy rainfalls, and heavy fog,
[0013] The manner in which the system and the method for automated fuel gauging shall be implemented has been explained in detail with respect to the Figures 1, 2, and 3. While aspects of described systems and methods for automated fuel gauging can be implemented in any number of different computing systems, transmission environments, and/or configurations, the embodiments are described in the context of the following exemplary system(s).

[0014] Figure 1 illustrates an automated fuel gauging (AFG) system 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an implementation, the AFG system 100 includes a sensing assembly 102 for determining fuel information corresponding to ATF stored in a ATF refueller. The sensing assembly 102 comprises a probe 104 and one or more floats 106-1, 106-2. ...., 106-1M. hereinafter collectively referred to as floats 106 and individually referred to as float 106, coupled to the probe 104.'ln an implementation, the probe 3 04 may be fixed to a surface of the ATF refueller. Further, the probe 104 may be coupled to a fuel gauge display unit 108, through one or more data cables and power cables (not shown in this figure), for displaying the fuel information.
[0015] In an example, the fuel gauge display unit 108 includes one or more communication ports 110-1, 110-2,...., 110-N, hereinafter collectively referred to as communication ports 110 and individually referred to as communication port 110. The fuel gauge display unit 108 further includes a display 112.
[0016] In an implementation, the AFG system 100 comprises a processor 114. The processor 114 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, centra! processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the processor 114 is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (not shown in this figure).
|0017| The functions of the various elements shown in the figures, including any functional blocks labeled as "processors)", may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing software in association with appropriate software. When provided by a processor, the functions may be provided by a single dedicated processor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individual processors, some of which may be shared. Moreover, explicit use of the term '"processor" should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and may implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, network

processor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), read only memory (ROM) for storing software, random access memory (RAM), and non volatile storage. Other hardware, conventional and/or custom, may also be included.
|0018] The AFG system 100 further includes a display unit 116. Examples of the display unit may include, but are not limited to, a monitor, an LCD screen, an LED screen, and a television set. In an example, the AFG system 100 may also include a power converter 118 for supplying power to the fuel gauge display unit 108, the processor 114, and the display unit 116.
[0019] In operation, the sensing assembly 102 may determine the fuel information corresponding to the fuel stored in the ATF refueller. The fuel information may be understood as information indicating physical properties of the ATF and a volume of the ATF stored in the ATF refueller. For example, the fuel information may include a density, a temperature, and the volume of the ATF. In an implementation, each of the floats 106 may have a sensor attached to them for determining the fuel information. For instance, the float 106-1 may have a sensor attached to it for determining the fuel density. Similarly, the float 106-2 may have a sensor attached to it for determining the fuel temperature. While, the float 106-3 may determine the volume of the ATF. Upon determination of the fuel information, the fuel information may be displayed in a first display format.
[0020] As mentioned previously, the floats 106 are coupled to the probe 104. In an implementation, the probe 104 may transmit the fuel information obtained from the floats 106 to the fuel gauge display unit 108 for displaying the fuel information in the first display format. In said implementation, a communication port 110-1 may receive the fuel information from the probe 104. The fuel information may subsequently be displayed through the display 1 12 in the first display format. In an example, the first display format may be a standard conventional display format.
[0021 f In an example, the fuel information may be displayed in a second display format. In said example, the fuel gauge display unit 108 may transmit the

fuel information to the processor 114 through a communication port 110-2. Upon receiving the fuel information, the processor 1 14 may process the fuel information for obtaining the fuel information in the second display format. In an example, the processor 1 14 may process the fuel information using predefined software. The processor 114 may then transmit the fuel information in the second display format to the display init 116 for displaying the fuel information in the second display format.
|0022| In an example, the display unit 116 may display the fuel information on a predetermined area of a display screen of the display unit 116. For example, the fuel information may be displayed in the form of a ticker scrolling on the bottom of the display screen. In said example, the left over area may be used for playing pre-recorded videos and movies and advertisements.
[0023J In an embodiment, the fuel gauge display unit 108 may transmit the fuel information to a central server (not shown in this figure) for monitoring of the fuel information.
[0024] . Figure 2 illustrates an ATF refueller implementing the AFG system, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. In said embodiment, the sensing assembly 102 may be placed inside a storage tank of the ATF refueller in a manner such that the probe 104 is fixed to a surface of the storage tank. Further, as illustrated in the figure, the fuel gauge display unit 108, the processor 114, the display unit 1 16, and the power converter 1 18 may be provided in a cabin of the ATF refueller. The power converter I 18 may supply power to the fuel gauge display unit 108, the processor 1 14, and the display unit 116. For instance, the power converter 11 8 may be an inverter and may convert the power obtained from a battery of the ATF refueller for supplying to the fuel gauge display unit 108, the processor 114, and the display unit I 16.
|0025| In an example, the sensing assembly 102 may determine the fuel information corresponding to the fuel stored in the ATF refueller. The sensing assembly 102 may then transmit the fuel information to the fuel gauge display unit 108 for displaying the fuel information in a first display format. Upon

receiving the fuel information, the fuel gauge display unit 108 may display the fuel information in the first display format.
[0026] Subsequently, the fuel gauge display unit 108 may transmit the fuel information to the processor 114 coupled to the fuel gauge display unit 108. The processor 1 14 may then process the fuel information using predetermined techniques for obtaining the fuel information in a second display format. Thereafter, the processor 114 may transmit the fuel information in the second display format to the display unit 116 coupled to the processor 114. Upon receiving the fuel information, the display unit 116 may display the fuel information in the second display format.
[0027] Figure 3 illustrates a method 300 for testing ATFs stored in a ATF refueller, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The order in which the method 300 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method 300, or an alternative method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.
[0028] The method(s) may be described in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, functions, etc.. thai perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types. The method may also be practiced in a distributed computing environment where functions are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, computer executable instructions may be located in both local and remote computer storage media, including memory storage devices.
[0029] A person skilled in the art will readily recognize that steps of the method can be performed by programmed computers. Herein, some embodiments

are also intended to cover program storage devices, for example, digital data storage media, which are machine or computer readable and encode machine-executable or computer-executable programs of instructions, wherein said instructions perform some or all of the steps of the described method. The program storage devices may be, for example, digital memories, magnetic storage media, such as a magnetic disks and magnetic tapes, hard drives, or optically readable digital data storage media. The embodiments are also intended to cover all the communication networks and communication devices configured to perform said steps of the exemplary method.
[0030] At block 302, fuel information corresponding to ATF stored in a ATF refueller is determined by a sensing assembly comprising a probe fixed to a surface of the ATF refueller. In an example, the sensing further comprises one or more floats coupled to the probe for determining the fuel information. In an example, the fuel information comprises a density, a temperature, and a volume of the ATF. In an example, the sensing assembly 102 may determine the fuel information.
|0031| At block 304, the fuel information is displayed in a first display format. Upon determination of the fuel information, the fuel information may be displayed in the first displayed format by a fuel gauge display unit. For instance, the fuel gauge display unit 108 may display the fuel information in the first display format.
[0032] At block 306, the fuel information is processed for obtaining the fuel information in a second displayed format. In an example, a controller, such as the processor 114 may process the fuel information for obtaining the fuel information in the second display format. In an example, the fuel information may be processed using predetermined techniques.
[0033] At block 308, the fuel information is displayed in the second display format. Upon processing of the fuel information, the fuel information may be transmitted to a display unit, such as the display unit 1 16 for displaying the fuel

information in the second display format. In an example, the fuel information may be display only on a predetermined area of the display unit.
[0034] Although implementations for automated fuel gauging have been described in a language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as exemplary implementations for automated fuel gauging.

I/We claim:
1. An automated Fuel gauging (AFG) system (100) for aviation turbine fuel
(ATF) refuellers, the AFG system (100) comprising:
a sensing assembly (102) for determining fuel information corresponding to ATF stored in a ATF refueller, wherein the sensing assembly (102) comprises a probe (104) fixed to a surface of the ATF refueller;
a fuel gauge display unit (108) coupled to the probe (104) for displaying the fuel information received from the sensing assembly (102) in a first display format;
a processor (114) coupled to the fuel gauge display unit (108) for processing the fuel information received from the fuel gauge display unit (108) to obtain the fuel information in a second display format; and
a display unit (116) coupled to the processor (1 14) for displaying the fuel information in the second display format.
2. The AFG system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensing assembly (102) further comprises one or more floats (106) coupled to the probe (104), wherein each float (106) from amongst the one or more floats (106) has a sensor attached to the float (106).
3. The AFG system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel information comprises a fuel density, a fuel temperature, and a volume of the ATF stored in the ATF refueller.
4. The AFG system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the fuel gauge display unit (108) further comprises one more communication ports (I 10).
5. The AFG system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fuel gauge display unit (108) transmits the fuel information to the processor (114) through a communication port (110) from amongst the one or more communication ports (110).

6. The AFG system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fuel gauge display unit (108) transmits the fuel information to a central server through a communication port (110) from amongst the one or more communication ports (110).
7. The AFG system (100) as claimed in claim 1. further comprising a power converter coupled to a battery of the ATF refueller For providing power supply to at least the processor (114), the display unit (116), and the fuel gauge display unit (108).
8. The AFG system (100) as claimed in claim I, wherein the probe (104) is coupled to the fuel gauge display unit (108) using at least one a data cable.
9. The AFG system (100) as claimed in claim I, wherein the probe (104) is coupled to the fuel gauge display unit (108) using at least one power cable.
10. The AFG system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the probe (104) is coupled to the fuel gauge display unit (108) using one or more power cables and one or more data cables.
11. A method for displaying fuel information corresponding to aviation turbine fuel (ATF) stored in a ATF refueller, the method comprising:
determining, by a sensing assembly (102). fuel information corresponding to ATF stored in a ATF refueller, wherein the sensing assembly (102) comprises a probe (104) and one or more floats (106) coupled to the probe (104), and wherein each float (106) from amongst the one or more floats (106) has a sensor attached to the float (106), and wherein the probe (104) is fixed to a surface of the ATF refueller; and
transmitting, by the probe (104), the fuel information to a fuel gauge display unit (108) for displaying the fuel information in a first

format, wherein the probe (104) is coupled to the fuel gauge display unit (108) using at least one of a power cable and a data cable.