B64C17/10

Fuel Cell Wastewater Balancer
20240400198 · 2024-12-05 ·

A system and method for having a fuel cell wastewater balancer. The wastewater balancer includes a hydrogen tank which stores hydrogen to be consumed by a fuel cell and a ballast tank which stores wastewater produced as a biproduct of the fuel cell reaction. A controller maintains the center of gravity of an aircraft by distributing wastewater to the ballast tank as hydrogen is consumed by the fuel cell.

System and method for controlling and monitoring aircraft equipment
20170183085 · 2017-06-29 ·

A system for controlling and monitoring pieces of equipment of an aircraft, each piece of equipment being able to be switched between two logic activation state values, comprising a man-machine interface, a module for configuration of a functional activation state of a function able to be performed on at least pieces of equipment of a system of the aircraft, the functional activation state being configurable between an active state and an inactive state, the configuration module being adapted for detecting an action of selection of a functional activation state of the function by an operator, and a control and monitoring module configured for determining a logic activation state of each of the pieces of equipment of the system, so that, when each of the pieces of equipment is in the determined logic activation state, the function is in the selected functional activation state.

System and method for controlling and monitoring aircraft equipment
20170183085 · 2017-06-29 ·

A system for controlling and monitoring pieces of equipment of an aircraft, each piece of equipment being able to be switched between two logic activation state values, comprising a man-machine interface, a module for configuration of a functional activation state of a function able to be performed on at least pieces of equipment of a system of the aircraft, the functional activation state being configurable between an active state and an inactive state, the configuration module being adapted for detecting an action of selection of a functional activation state of the function by an operator, and a control and monitoring module configured for determining a logic activation state of each of the pieces of equipment of the system, so that, when each of the pieces of equipment is in the determined logic activation state, the function is in the selected functional activation state.

Aircraft and method of managing evaporated cryogenic fuel

A method of managing evaporated cryogenic fuel in a storage tank of a cryogenic fuel system of an aircraft and an aircraft having at least one turbine engine providing propulsive force for the aircraft and a cryogenic fuel system including a passively cooled cryogenic fuel storage tank located within the aircraft, a pressure vent fluidly coupled to the cryogenic fuel storage tank and exhausting evaporated gas from the cryogenic fuel to define a natural gas vent stream, and a catalytic converter fluidly coupled to the pressure vent.

Fuel intelligent crossfeed valve for detecting leakage in aircraft fuel tanks

A fuel management system may include a first fuel tank and a second fuel tank. The fuel management system may also include an intelligent crossfeed valve positioned between the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank and configured to allow fuel to flow between the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank. The fuel management system may also include a sensor configured to detect an amount to which the intelligent crossfeed valve is open. The fuel management system may also include an engine controller connected to the sensor and configured to cause the intelligent crossfeed valve to close in response to the intelligent crossfeed valve being open a third predetermined amount.

Fuel intelligent crossfeed valve for detecting leakage in aircraft fuel tanks

A fuel management system may include a first fuel tank and a second fuel tank. The fuel management system may also include an intelligent crossfeed valve positioned between the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank and configured to allow fuel to flow between the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank. The fuel management system may also include a sensor configured to detect an amount to which the intelligent crossfeed valve is open. The fuel management system may also include an engine controller connected to the sensor and configured to cause the intelligent crossfeed valve to close in response to the intelligent crossfeed valve being open a third predetermined amount.

Aircraft having a controllable center of gravity and method of use
12263937 · 2025-04-01 · ·

Aspects relate to an aircraft having a controllable center of gravity and methods of controlling the center of gravity. An exemplary aircraft having a controllable center of gravity includes a first tank configured to store a first portion of a ballast, a second tank configured to store a second portion of the ballast disposed substantially aft of the first tank, at least a pipe configured to provide fluidic communication between the first tank and the second tank, at least a pump configured to pump the ballast bidirectionally between the first tank and the second tank by way of the at least a pipe, and a controller in communication with the at least a pump and configured to control a ballast ratio of the first portion of the ballast relative the second portion of the ballast and affect an aircraft center of gravity.

Aircraft having a controllable center of gravity and method of use
12263937 · 2025-04-01 · ·

Aspects relate to an aircraft having a controllable center of gravity and methods of controlling the center of gravity. An exemplary aircraft having a controllable center of gravity includes a first tank configured to store a first portion of a ballast, a second tank configured to store a second portion of the ballast disposed substantially aft of the first tank, at least a pipe configured to provide fluidic communication between the first tank and the second tank, at least a pump configured to pump the ballast bidirectionally between the first tank and the second tank by way of the at least a pipe, and a controller in communication with the at least a pump and configured to control a ballast ratio of the first portion of the ballast relative the second portion of the ballast and affect an aircraft center of gravity.

FUEL MEASUREMENT FOR VERTICAL TAKE-OFF DUAL-ENGINE AIRCRAFT

The present application discloses an aircraft configured for vertical take-off and landing and horizontal flight. The aircraft includes one or more processors configured to control distribution of fuel among a plurality of aircraft fuel tanks. Controlling the distribution of fuel includes: (a) determining a first fuel level in a first nacelle fuel tank, wherein the first nacelle fuel tank is configured to provide a supply of fuel to a first engine during both (i) a vertical take-off and land operation, and (ii) a horizontal flight operation, (b) determining a fuselage fuel level in a fuselage fuel tank, and (c) determining whether to redistribute fuel across at least the first nacelle fuel tank and the fuselage fuel tank based at least in part on the first fuel level and the fuselage fuel level.

FUEL MEASUREMENT FOR VERTICAL TAKE-OFF DUAL-ENGINE AIRCRAFT

The present application discloses an aircraft configured for vertical take-off and landing and horizontal flight. The aircraft includes one or more processors configured to control distribution of fuel among a plurality of aircraft fuel tanks. Controlling the distribution of fuel includes: (a) determining a first fuel level in a first nacelle fuel tank, wherein the first nacelle fuel tank is configured to provide a supply of fuel to a first engine during both (i) a vertical take-off and land operation, and (ii) a horizontal flight operation, (b) determining a fuselage fuel level in a fuselage fuel tank, and (c) determining whether to redistribute fuel across at least the first nacelle fuel tank and the fuselage fuel tank based at least in part on the first fuel level and the fuselage fuel level.