An aircraft includes a cabin in which an occupant rides, and a driving source driven by using fuel supplied thereto, the aircraft further including a tank unit which is disposed between the cabin and the driving source and in which a plurality of fuel tanks for storing the fuel are stacked.

An aircraft includes a cabin in which an occupant rides, and a driving source driven by using fuel supplied thereto, the aircraft further including a tank unit which is disposed between the cabin and the driving source and in which a plurality of fuel tanks for storing the fuel are stacked.

A fuel drain engagement tool and a method for draining fuel from a fuel tank are provided. In one example, a fuel drain engagement tool includes a housing. An engagement mechanism is coupled with the housing and extending upward therefrom. The engagement mechanism is configured to engage a fuel drain valve and to move between a contracted state and an expanded state. A compression applicator is coupled with the housing and is positioned to engage the engagement mechanism when the compression applicator is compressed to apply a force to the engagement mechanism that causes the engagement mechanism to move from the expanded state to the contracted state.

A method of and a system for operating a fuel pump management system of an aircraft. The method comprises receiving, from a fuel gauge, an electronic reading of a level of fuel fluid contained in a fuel tank; and analysing the electronic reading of the level of the fuel fluid, the analysing comprising upon determining that the level of fuel fluid is equal or below a predetermined fuel level threshold, causing a fuel pump in communication with the fuel tank to be shut down.

A method of and a system for operating a fuel pump management system of an aircraft. The method comprises receiving, from a fuel gauge, an electronic reading of a level of fuel fluid contained in a fuel tank; and analysing the electronic reading of the level of the fuel fluid, the analysing comprising upon determining that the level of fuel fluid is equal or below a predetermined fuel level threshold, causing a fuel pump in communication with the fuel tank to be shut down.

An aircraft fuel tank system including a fuel tank compartment for containing liquid fuel and having a float-activated valve arranged to become positively buoyant when immersed in liquid fuel so that the float moves up to a raised position which causes the valve to close and prevent liquid fuel from flowing out of the fuel tank compartment through the valve. The float is also arranged to move down to a lowered position in response to a level of the liquid fuel in the fuel tank compartment dropping, the movement of the float to the lowered position causing the valve to open and permit liquid fuel to flow out of the fuel tank compartment through the valve. A pressure-activated valve may be used as an alternative to the float-activated valve.

An aircraft fuel tank system including a fuel tank compartment for containing liquid fuel and having a float-activated valve arranged to become positively buoyant when immersed in liquid fuel so that the float moves up to a raised position which causes the valve to close and prevent liquid fuel from flowing out of the fuel tank compartment through the valve. The float is also arranged to move down to a lowered position in response to a level of the liquid fuel in the fuel tank compartment dropping, the movement of the float to the lowered position causing the valve to open and permit liquid fuel to flow out of the fuel tank compartment through the valve. A pressure-activated valve may be used as an alternative to the float-activated valve.

A combination of a fuel tank assembly and a tool for opening an outlet of the fuel tank assembly. The assembly includes a tank for storing a liquid hydrocarbon; and an operator-openable valve arrangement configured to move between a closed flow condition in which flow through the valve arrangement is prevented and an open flow condition in which liquid is allowed to drain out of the tank. The tool is connectable to the valve arrangement, such that in a connected condition of the tool and the arrangement a liquid flow path exists between the interior and the exterior of the tank. The liquid flow path is at least partly defined by a conduit in the tool. A filter, in the flow path, includes a water-permeable member configured to enable water to pass through the water-permeable member and substantially prevent passage of liquid hydrocarbon.

A combination of a fuel tank assembly and a tool for opening an outlet of the fuel tank assembly. The assembly includes a tank for storing a liquid hydrocarbon; and an operator-openable valve arrangement configured to move between a closed flow condition in which flow through the valve arrangement is prevented and an open flow condition in which liquid is allowed to drain out of the tank. The tool is connectable to the valve arrangement, such that in a connected condition of the tool and the arrangement a liquid flow path exists between the interior and the exterior of the tank. The liquid flow path is at least partly defined by a conduit in the tool. A filter, in the flow path, includes a water-permeable member configured to enable water to pass through the water-permeable member and substantially prevent passage of liquid hydrocarbon.

An airplane is provided. The airplane includes a fuel gauging and quantity estimation system with an improved estimation accuracy. The fuel gauging and quantity estimation system operates by detecting an environment of a tank comprising a liquid and selecting one or more liquid gauging algorithms based on the environment. The fuel gauging and quantity estimation system further operates by receiving sensor data characterizing the liquid of the tank and utilizing the sensor data and the one or more liquid gauging algorithms to determine a property of the liquid.