A vehicle fuel tank assembly including a tank for storing fuel and a sensor device disposed inside the tank. The sensor device is integrated with a component of the tank. The sensor device detects the presence of a plurality of different chemical and/or biological entities in fuel stored in the tank. The plurality of different chemical and/or biological entities are suitable for use in determining whether at least two different types of contaminant are present in the fuel.

A fuel filter includes a manifold, a connector element, a filter bowl, a filter element, an inlet shutoff valve, an outlet shutoff valve, an inlet port, an inlet conduit, an outlet port, an outlet conduit and a relief valve. The connector element is fixed to the manifold and the filter bowl is reversibly fixed to the connector element. The connector element engages with the filter element. The filter bowl reversibly receives the filter element and is configured so that when the filter element is located within the filter bowl and the filter bowl is attached to the connection element the filter element divides the space defined by the connector element and filter bowl into an inlet filter chamber and an outlet filter chamber. The inlet port is incorporated in the manifold, and the inlet port and inlet filter chamber are in fluid communication via the inlet conduit.

A fuel filter includes a manifold, a connector element, a filter bowl, a filter element, an inlet shutoff valve, an outlet shutoff valve, an inlet port, an inlet conduit, an outlet port, an outlet conduit and a relief valve. The connector element is fixed to the manifold and the filter bowl is reversibly fixed to the connector element. The connector element engages with the filter element. The filter bowl reversibly receives the filter element and is configured so that when the filter element is located within the filter bowl and the filter bowl is attached to the connection element the filter element divides the space defined by the connector element and filter bowl into an inlet filter chamber and an outlet filter chamber. The inlet port is incorporated in the manifold, and the inlet port and inlet filter chamber are in fluid communication via the inlet conduit.

A fuel tank with a venting system includes a flap for closing and opening a vent made in the tank. The flap is coupled to a float. The flap includes a valve coupled to a second float mounted in a hinged manner in the tank so that the valve adopts a closed position, being pushed by the second float when the level of fuel in the tank reaches a certain threshold, and an open venting position in order to prevent overpressure within the tank, being driven by the second float when the level of fuel is below the threshold and the force exerted by the internal pressure on the valve is less than the sum of the forces exerted on the valve by the atmospheric pressure and by the weight of the second float.

A fuel tank with a venting system includes a flap for closing and opening a vent made in the tank. The flap is coupled to a float. The flap includes a valve coupled to a second float mounted in a hinged manner in the tank so that the valve adopts a closed position, being pushed by the second float when the level of fuel in the tank reaches a certain threshold, and an open venting position in order to prevent overpressure within the tank, being driven by the second float when the level of fuel is below the threshold and the force exerted by the internal pressure on the valve is less than the sum of the forces exerted on the valve by the atmospheric pressure and by the weight of the second float.

An assembly with an aircraft fuel tank is disclosed having a captive nut with an internal thread, a secondary structure, and a fastener which secures the secondary structure to the fuel tank. The fastener has a shaft which passes through the secondary structure and has an external thread coupled to the internal thread of the captive nut. The fuel tank has a fuel tank element with a hole, and the captive nut has a sleeve which is located in the hole with an interference fit between an outer surface of the sleeve and an inner surface of the wall of the hole.

An assembly with an aircraft fuel tank is disclosed having a captive nut with an internal thread, a secondary structure, and a fastener which secures the secondary structure to the fuel tank. The fastener has a shaft which passes through the secondary structure and has an external thread coupled to the internal thread of the captive nut. The fuel tank has a fuel tank element with a hole, and the captive nut has a sleeve which is located in the hole with an interference fit between an outer surface of the sleeve and an inner surface of the wall of the hole.

An inerting system comprises an air separating device having an enclosure (40) having at least one air inlet (46) and one outlet (48) for oxygen-depleted air. The air separating device (18) is configured to generate, from an air inlet flow coming from the air inlet (46) of the enclosure (40), an outlet flow of oxygen-depleted air and to discharge the outlet flow of oxygen-depleted air through the outlet (48) for oxygen-depleted air. The inerting system (14) comprises a heating system (20), outside the enclosure (40), configured to heat at least one region of the enclosure (40).

An inerting system comprises an air separating device having an enclosure (40) having at least one air inlet (46) and one outlet (48) for oxygen-depleted air. The air separating device (18) is configured to generate, from an air inlet flow coming from the air inlet (46) of the enclosure (40), an outlet flow of oxygen-depleted air and to discharge the outlet flow of oxygen-depleted air through the outlet (48) for oxygen-depleted air. The inerting system (14) comprises a heating system (20), outside the enclosure (40), configured to heat at least one region of the enclosure (40).

A system for power and data communications within a fuel tank and across a wall of the fuel tank includes a fuel height sensor and a sealed connector extending through a wall of a fuel tank. The system also includes an electric power connection between the fuel height sensor and the sealed connector. The system additionally includes an internal data communications connection between the fuel height sensor and the sealed connector, wherein the electric power connection comprises a resistive non-metallic wire.