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.
Fuel system breakaway valve reaction bridge and reaction collar
A flexible fuel bladder assembly for an aircraft includes a flexible fuel bladder positioned at an airframe and having an opening to allow a flow of fuel into and/or out of the fuel bladder. A breakaway valve is operably connected to the fuel bladder at the opening to control a flow of fuel therethrough. A non-contacting or loose fitting reaction feature is affixed to the airframe and is interactive with the breakaway valve such that movement of the breakaway valve relative to the reaction feature results in breakage of a valve body of the breakaway valve and closure of the breakaway valve to prevent flow of fuel therethrough while also allowing for a second reaction mode to cause breakage of a valve body should the connecting hose be pulled relative to the breakaway valve.
Fuel system breakaway valve reaction bridge and reaction collar
A flexible fuel bladder assembly for an aircraft includes a flexible fuel bladder positioned at an airframe and having an opening to allow a flow of fuel into and/or out of the fuel bladder. A breakaway valve is operably connected to the fuel bladder at the opening to control a flow of fuel therethrough. A non-contacting or loose fitting reaction feature is affixed to the airframe and is interactive with the breakaway valve such that movement of the breakaway valve relative to the reaction feature results in breakage of a valve body of the breakaway valve and closure of the breakaway valve to prevent flow of fuel therethrough while also allowing for a second reaction mode to cause breakage of a valve body should the connecting hose be pulled relative to the breakaway valve.
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.
INTEGRATED CRYOGENIC HYDROGEN TANK SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPERATING THE SAME
Example integrated cryogenic hydrogen tank systems and methods for operating the same are disclosed herein. An example system comprises a first cryogenic tank coupled to a second cryogenic tank via a liquid hydrogen (LH2) transfer flowline and a gaseous hydrogen (GH2) transfer flowline, the LH2 transfer flowline and the GH2 transfer flowline to maintain a fuel level and a vapor pressure across the system, the fuel level corresponding to a cryogenic liquid; an inlet port connected to one of the first cryogenic tank or the second cryogenic tank; an LH2 extraction flowline connected to at least one of the first or second cryogenic tanks to supply the cryogenic liquid to a fuel management system; and a pressure safety system coupled to at least one of the first or second cryogenic tanks via a GH2 extraction flowline.
METHOD OF DETERMINING AN OPERATING CONDITION OF A VALVE OF AN AIRCRAFT SYSTEM
A method of determining an operating condition of a valve of an aircraft system includes obtaining a first time period associated with actuating the valve, and a second time period associated with actuating the valve. The method includes providing an indication of an altered operating condition associated with actuation of the valve based on the first and second time periods.
Fuel supply apparatus for aircraft engine
Two systems of a first pump unit and a third pump unit that supply fuel of a fuselage fuel tank, and a second pump unit and a fourth pump unit that supply fuel of fuel tanks in both right and left wings are provided corresponding to a left-wing engine and a right-wing engine, respectively. A supply source of the fuel to be supplied to the left-wing engine or the right-wing engine is switched by switching of the pump unit to be turned on.
Fuel supply apparatus for aircraft engine
Two systems of a first pump unit and a third pump unit that supply fuel of a fuselage fuel tank, and a second pump unit and a fourth pump unit that supply fuel of fuel tanks in both right and left wings are provided corresponding to a left-wing engine and a right-wing engine, respectively. A supply source of the fuel to be supplied to the left-wing engine or the right-wing engine is switched by switching of the pump unit to be turned on.
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.