All optical O2 sensors using innovative phase fluorimetry for monitoring of headspace in ullage for FAA mandated inerting fuel tanks of commercial airlines

摘要

This paper explores the design and development of an all optical O2 sensor system that can be used for monitoring of headspace gases in the ullage of inerting fuel tanks of commercial airplanes. Also included is detailed discussion of the various test and measurement techniques used to estimate the O2 gas concentration .We compare the various intensity based approaches and contrast them with the frequency domain techniques that measure phase to extract fluorescent lifetimes. The various inerting fuel tank requirements are explained and finally a novel compact measurement system using that uses the frequency heterodyning cross correlation technique that can be used for various applications is described in detail while the benefits are explored together with some test data collected.