A system ensures the correct type of fuel is dispensed in an aircraft while removing the introduction of human error in the refueling process. The system includes an RFID tag disposed at one or more aircraft that electronically stores data such as engine type, engine hours, fuel type, tail number, and pilot/subscriber data for the aircraft on which the RFID tag is disposed. An RFID reader is disposed at or near a fuel dispensing mechanism, such as a fuel truck or tank. A signal indicative of fuel type is emitted from the RFID tag to the RFID reader. RFID tags on aircraft that are enrolled in the system's subscription service enable aircraft to be recognized by a module operating the fuel dispensing mechanism. Based on a comparison performed by the module, authorization to begin fueling is either permitted or declined.

Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide magnetic carbon nanotube clusters configured to form electrically conductive coatings. A magnetic carbon nanotube cluster is formed by receiving a magnetic particle, forming a plurality of carbon nanotube catalyst nanoparticles on an outer surface of the magnetic particle, and forming a plurality of carbon nanotubes extending from the catalyst nanoparticles while the magnetic particle is levitated within a nanotube growth chamber to form the magnetic carbon nanotube cluster. A plurality of magnetic carbon nanotube clusters are suspended in a carrier fluid, the carrier fluid is flowed over a surface of an object, and a magnetic field is applied to the carrier fluid while it is flowing over the surface to cause the plurality of magnetic carbon nanotube clusters to form a coating on the surface of the object.

Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide magnetic carbon nanotube clusters configured to form electrically conductive coatings. A magnetic carbon nanotube cluster is formed by receiving a magnetic particle, forming a plurality of carbon nanotube catalyst nanoparticles on an outer surface of the magnetic particle, and forming a plurality of carbon nanotubes extending from the catalyst nanoparticles while the magnetic particle is levitated within a nanotube growth chamber to form the magnetic carbon nanotube cluster. A plurality of magnetic carbon nanotube clusters are suspended in a carrier fluid, the carrier fluid is flowed over a surface of an object, and a magnetic field is applied to the carrier fluid while it is flowing over the surface to cause the plurality of magnetic carbon nanotube clusters to form a coating on the surface of the object.

Aircraft hydrogen fuel systems and methods and systems of starting such systems are described. The aircraft hydrogen fuel systems include a hydrogen burning main engine, a main tank configured to contain liquid hydrogen to be supplied to the main engine during a normal operation, and a starter tank configured to contain gaseous hydrogen to be used during a startup operation of the main engine. Methods and processes for starting and/or restarting such systems are described.

An aircraft refueling system (10) includes a master controller (12), a fleet controller (14) in communication with the master controller, a platform controller (18) in communication with the fleet controller, and a fuel control system (16) in communication with the platform controller. Embodiments of an aircraft refueling system may include a primary pressure controller (20), a secondary pressure controller (22), a programmable logic controller (24), and a data logger controller (26). The master controller may be configured to receive and analyze data from at least one of the fleet controller, the platform controller, and the fuel control system; and to modify operational parameters or upgrade the fuel control system based at least in part on the analysis of received data.

An aircraft refueling system (10) includes a master controller (12), a fleet controller (14) in communication with the master controller, a platform controller (18) in communication with the fleet controller, and a fuel control system (16) in communication with the platform controller. Embodiments of an aircraft refueling system may include a primary pressure controller (20), a secondary pressure controller (22), a programmable logic controller (24), and a data logger controller (26). The master controller may be configured to receive and analyze data from at least one of the fleet controller, the platform controller, and the fuel control system; and to modify operational parameters or upgrade the fuel control system based at least in part on the analysis of received data.

A system ensures the correct type of fuel is dispensed in an aircraft while removing the introduction of human error in the refueling process. The system includes an RFID tag disposed at one or more aircraft that electronically stores data such as engine type, engine hours, fuel type, tail number, and pilot/subscriber data for the aircraft on which the RFID tag is disposed. An RFID reader is disposed at or near a fuel dispensing mechanism, such as a fuel truck or tank. A signal indicative of fuel type is emitted from the RFID tag to the RFID reader. RFID tags on aircraft that are enrolled in the system's subscription service enable aircraft to be recognized by a module operating the fuel dispensing mechanism. Based on a comparison performed by the module, authorization to begin fueling is either permitted or declined.

A system ensures the correct type of fuel is dispensed in an aircraft while removing the introduction of human error in the refueling process. The system includes an RFID tag disposed at one or more aircraft that electronically stores data such as engine type, engine hours, fuel type, tail number, and pilot/subscriber data for the aircraft on which the RFID tag is disposed. An RFID reader is disposed at or near a fuel dispensing mechanism, such as a fuel truck or tank. A signal indicative of fuel type is emitted from the RFID tag to the RFID reader. RFID tags on aircraft that are enrolled in the system's subscription service enable aircraft to be recognized by a module operating the fuel dispensing mechanism. Based on a comparison performed by the module, authorization to begin fueling is either permitted or declined.

A refuelling system suitable for use with an overwing fuelled aircraft comprising: (b) a stored fuel grade identification means for identifying the fuel grade stored in the fuel storage vessel and available type(s) of delivery of the fuel to the aircraft; (d) an aircraft fuel grade identification means being attached to, or forming part of, an overwing fuelled aircraft, wherein said aircraft fuel grade identification means represents the fuel grade requirement of the aircraft and is readable from the exterior of the aircraft; (g) a transmission and receiving system which enables information regarding the fuel grade that had previously been supplied to the aircraft having the aircraft registration number inputted into the computer interface and the type of delivery of fuel which may be used by said aircraft to be retrieved from a remote database; (i) an automated cross-check system which is configured to retrieve the fuel grades identified by the fuel identification means in (b), retrieve the fuel grade identified in (d) from the hand-held device, retrieve the type(s) of delivery of fuel identified by the fuel identification means in (b) and by the system of element (g), and the previous fuel grade supplied to the aircraft identified by the system in element (g) which can generate a positive response signal if all of the fuel grades identified are compatible with each other and the type(s) of delivery of fuel to the aircraft are compatible.

A refuelling system suitable for use with an overwing fuelled aircraft comprising: (b) a stored fuel grade identification means for identifying the fuel grade stored in the fuel storage vessel and available type(s) of delivery of the fuel to the aircraft; (d) an aircraft fuel grade identification means being attached to, or forming part of, an overwing fuelled aircraft, wherein said aircraft fuel grade identification means represents the fuel grade requirement of the aircraft and is readable from the exterior of the aircraft; (g) a transmission and receiving system which enables information regarding the fuel grade that had previously been supplied to the aircraft having the aircraft registration number inputted into the computer interface and the type of delivery of fuel which may be used by said aircraft to be retrieved from a remote database; (i) an automated cross-check system which is configured to retrieve the fuel grades identified by the fuel identification means in (b), retrieve the fuel grade identified in (d) from the hand-held device, retrieve the type(s) of delivery of fuel identified by the fuel identification means in (b) and by the system of element (g), and the previous fuel grade supplied to the aircraft identified by the system in element (g) which can generate a positive response signal if all of the fuel grades identified are compatible with each other and the type(s) of delivery of fuel to the aircraft are compatible.