Patent classifications
B64D37/14
Using a passive separator to separate air and fuel of a fuel mixture passively when delivering fuel to a combustion engine of an unmanned aerial vehicle
A fuel delivery system has a tank, a fuel pump, and an air filtering apparatus coupled with the tank and the fuel pump. The air filtering apparatus includes a housing that defines a housing chamber, a fuel flow controller coupled with the housing, and a passive separator disposed within the housing chamber. The passive separator is constructed and arranged to separate air and fuel of a fuel mixture passively while the fuel mixture enters the housing chamber from the tank and while filtered fuel exits the housing chamber toward the fuel pump in response to operation of the fuel flow controller. Such a system is well-suited for supplying fuel to a combustion engine in which consistent fuel pressure may be critical. Furthermore, the passive separator alleviates the need for a power source for active air and fuel separation, a control mechanism, and so on.
VARIABLE FAIRING FOR A HYDROGEN DUCT SYSTEM INSTALLATION AND USES OF THE SAME
A variable fairing for covering a hydrogen duct system installation on the outside of an aircraft part, wherein the fairing comprises at least one fairing body to be mounted on the aircraft part, an air inlet and an air outlet and at least one movable closure mechanism configured to open and close a top portion of the fairing.
VARIABLE FAIRING FOR A HYDROGEN DUCT SYSTEM INSTALLATION AND USES OF THE SAME
A variable fairing for covering a hydrogen duct system installation on the outside of an aircraft part, wherein the fairing comprises at least one fairing body to be mounted on the aircraft part, an air inlet and an air outlet and at least one movable closure mechanism configured to open and close a top portion of the fairing.
Self-limiting regenerative pumping element start stage for high speed centrifugal engine fuel pump and associated method
An engine fuel or pump system includes a centrifugal pump having an impeller for imparting energy to an associated fluid for an associated downstream engine fuel system. A regenerative start stage is in selective fluid communication with the pump. And ejector includes an inlet that communicates with the pump outlet and an outlet that communicates with the pump inlet. Further, a regulator valve is interposed between the pump outlet and the regenerative start stage that selectively regulates associated flow from the regenerative start stage. The associated method include directing flow from the centrifugal pump to a regenerative start stage in order to supply an associated downstream flow circuit. During low speed starting, a portion of the flow from the regenerative start stage is provided to an ejector that recirculates to an inlet of the centrifugal pump. Once the centrifugal pump provides a predetermined level of at least one of the flow and pressure requirements of the associated flow circuit, the method includes terminating flow from the regenerative start stage.
FUEL TANK INERTING SYSTEM AND METHOD
A system is disclosed for inerting a fuel tank. The system includes a fuel tank and an air separator including a membrane with a permeability differential between oxygen and nitrogen, an air inlet and an inert gas outlet in fluid communication with a first side of the membrane, and a sweep gas inlet and an oxygen-enriched gas outlet in fluid communication with a second side of the membrane. An inert gas flow path is arranged to receive inert gas from the air separation module oxygen-depleted air outlet, and to direct inert gas to the fuel tank. A catalytic reactor is arranged to receive a fuel and air, and configured to catalytically react the fuel and oxygen in the air to form an oxygen-depleted gas, and to discharge the oxygen-depleted gas from a reactor outlet. A sweep gas flow path from the reactor outlet to the air separator sweep gas inlet.
FUEL TANK INERTING SYSTEM AND METHOD
A system is disclosed for inerting a fuel tank. The system includes a fuel tank and an air separator including a membrane with a permeability differential between oxygen and nitrogen, an air inlet and an inert gas outlet in fluid communication with a first side of the membrane, and a sweep gas inlet and an oxygen-enriched gas outlet in fluid communication with a second side of the membrane. An inert gas flow path is arranged to receive inert gas from the air separation module oxygen-depleted air outlet, and to direct inert gas to the fuel tank. A catalytic reactor is arranged to receive a fuel and air, and configured to catalytically react the fuel and oxygen in the air to form an oxygen-depleted gas, and to discharge the oxygen-depleted gas from a reactor outlet. A sweep gas flow path from the reactor outlet to the air separator sweep gas inlet.
Airplane with configuration changing in flight
An airplane comprises a fuselage, two wings, engines, a rear tail unit comprising a horizontal tail provided with two tail ends, a first and a second set of fuel tanks, and a fuel transfer system configured to be able to transfer, at least in flight, fuel from one to the other of the first and second sets of fuel tanks, the tail ends being, in addition, mounted so as to be able to be pivoted, at least in flight, relative to the horizontal tail, the airplane thus having a configuration changeable in flight.
Airplane with configuration changing in flight
An airplane comprises a fuselage, two wings, engines, a rear tail unit comprising a horizontal tail provided with two tail ends, a first and a second set of fuel tanks, and a fuel transfer system configured to be able to transfer, at least in flight, fuel from one to the other of the first and second sets of fuel tanks, the tail ends being, in addition, mounted so as to be able to be pivoted, at least in flight, relative to the horizontal tail, the airplane thus having a configuration changeable in flight.
Methods and apparatus for cryogenic fuel bayonet transfers
Methods and apparatus for cryogenic fuel bayonet transfers are disclosed. A disclosed example fuel transfer system includes a fuel tank. The example fuel transfer system also includes a bayonet receptacle extending into an internal volume of the fuel tank, where the bayonet receptacle is to receive a fuel transfer bayonet to fill the fuel tank with fuel and a fuel discharge bayonet to discharge the fuel.
Methods and apparatus for cryogenic fuel bayonet transfers
Methods and apparatus for cryogenic fuel bayonet transfers are disclosed. A disclosed example fuel transfer system includes a fuel tank. The example fuel transfer system also includes a bayonet receptacle extending into an internal volume of the fuel tank, where the bayonet receptacle is to receive a fuel transfer bayonet to fill the fuel tank with fuel and a fuel discharge bayonet to discharge the fuel.