Aircraft actuator fluid level detection
Disclosed is an actuator level detection system of an aircraft. The system includes an actuator containing fluid that defines a resistivity and including a first contact point and a second contact point. The system includes a first contactor disposed about the actuator cooperating with the first contact point to define a first contact resistance that includes the resistivity. The system includes sensor circuitry includes a conductive path defining a conductive path resistance, between the first contact point and the second contact point. The sensor circuitry has a total resistance that includes the first contact resistance and the conductive path resistance.
1. An actuator level detection system of an aircraft, the system comprising:
an actuator containing fluid that defines a resistivity and including a first contact point and a second contact point in a housing;
a first contactor disposed about the actuator cooperating with the first contact point to define a first contact resistance that includes the resistivity; and
sensor circuitry including a conductive path defining a conductive path resistance, between the first contact point and the second contact point in the housing, the sensor circuitry having a total resistance that includes the first contact resistance and the conductive path resistance to detect a change in fluid level corresponding with a change in sensor circuitry resistance over time,
wherein maintenance of the actuator is controlled based on the detected change in fluid level in the actuator and the actuator is a mechanical actuator.
2. The actuator level detection system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller having stored instructions operable upon execution to quantify the total resistance.
3. The actuator level detection system of claim 2 , wherein the stored instructions are further operable upon execution to indicate actuator fluid loss based on the total resistance falling outside a loss threshold.
4. The actuator level detection system of claim 2 , wherein the stored instructions are further operable upon execution to indicate contaminated fluid based on the total resistance falling outside a contamination threshold.
5. The actuator level detection system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor circuitry is part of radiofrequency identification circuitry having an antenna.
6. The actuator level detection system of claim 5 , wherein the radiofrequency identification circuitry includes a resistor having a resistor resistance based on an impedance of the antenna that defines a transmission distance of the radiofrequency identification circuitry.
7. The actuator level detection system of claim 5 , wherein the radiofrequency identification circuitry includes an identifier associated with the actuator.
8. The actuator level detection system of claim 7 , further comprising reader circuitry having an impedance substantially equal to the total resistance.
9. The actuator level detection system of claim 8 , wherein the reader circuitry is configured to energize the radiofrequency identification circuitry and receive the identifier.
10. The actuator level detection system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid has a composition that is air.
11. The actuator level detection system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid has a composition that is a lubricant.
12. The actuator level detection system of claim 1 , further comprising a second contactor disposed about the actuator cooperating with the second contact point to define a second contact resistance that includes the resistivity.