Fuel Manifold For An Aircraft Tank

Abstract

A fuel manifold adapted to communicate with at least one fuel tank of an aircraft is presented. The manifold defines an enclosure adapted to be filled with fuel and to have an internal pressure P1 higher than the internal pressure P2 of the fuel tank. The enclosure includes at least one ceiling and at least one side wall provided with overflow holes adapted to communicate with the fuel tank. The manifold includes a mechanism for discharging an air pocket, trapped between the ceiling and the level of the overflow holes, to the fuel tank.

Claims

1. A fuel manifold adapted to communicate with at least one fuel tank of an aircraft, said manifold defining an enclosure adapted to be filled with fuel and to have an internal pressure P1 higher than the internal pressure P2 of the fuel tank, the enclosure comprising at least one ceiling and at least one side wall provided with overflow holes adapted to communicate with the fuel tank, wherein the manifold comprises means for discharging an air pocket trapped between the ceiling and the level of the overflow holes to the fuel tank.

2. The manifold according to claim 1, wherein the discharge means assume the form of at least one inclined face connecting the side wall and the ceiling, and positioned such that the overflow holes are arranged flush with said inclined face.

3. The manifold according to claim 1, wherein the discharge means assume the form of at least one hose having at least one inlet arranged between the ceiling and the level of the overflow holes, and an outlet arranged outside the manifold and adapted to communicate with the adjacent fuel tank.

4. The manifold according to claim 1, wherein the ceiling of the enclosure is concave.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Further advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description, given by way of a non-limiting example, of the fuel manifold according to the invention, from the attached drawings wherein:

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a fuel manifold according to the prior art;

[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional side view of a fuel manifold according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] In reference to FIG. 2, the invention relates to a fuel manifold (1) for an aircraft fuel tank.

[0027] The manifold (1) generally comprises side walls (4), a bottom (8) and a ceiling (3) connected to one another to form an enclosure (2) defining a fuel receiving space.

[0028] The manifold (1) is rigidly attached to fuel filling means (9), well known in the state of the art, to keep the enclosure (2) of the manifold (1) full of fuel at all times. The manifold (1) comprises fuel overflow holes (7), in particular at one of its side walls (4a). The enclosure (2) has an internal pressure P1 higher than the internal pressure P2 of the fuel tank to which the manifold (1) is connected.

[0029] The connection between the ceiling (3) and the side walls (4) of the manifold (1) defines entrapment zones (5) within which air pockets (6) can be trapped. To that end, the manifold (1) comprises means for discharging trapped air pockets (6) toward the overflow holes (7) in order to discharge them toward the fuel tank. The discharge means for example assume the form of at least one inclined face (10) connecting the side wall (4a) and the ceiling (3). The inclined face (10) is arranged such that the overflow holes (7) are arranged flush with said inclined face (10).

[0030] Thus, given the pressure difference between the inside of the enclosure (2) and the fuel tank, the air pockets (6) slide along the inclined face (10) and are discharged through the overflow holes (7) to rejoin the air pocket of the fuel tank, said tank being rigidly attached to a system for generating and injecting inerting gas.

[0031] For the other entrapment zones (5), defined at the connection between the ceiling (3) and the other side walls (4) that do not comprise overflow holes (7), the manifold (1) comprises a hose (11) having at least an inlet (11a) arranged within said entrapment zone (5) and an outlet (11b) arranged outside the manifold (1) and in the adjacent fuel tank. Given the pressure difference between the manifold (1) and the adjacent tank, the other air pockets (6) are discharged, via the hose (11), toward said adjacent tank. According to one particular embodiment, the inlet (11a) of the hose (11) is perforated with orifices and is fastened at the ceiling (3) of the manifold (1).

[0032] Several discharge hoses (11) can be implemented, independently of whether or not the manifold (1) comprises an inclined face (10), the inlets (11a) of which are arranged in different locations at the ceiling (3), between said sealing (3) and the level of the overflow holes (7). The manifold (1) can also comprise a discharge hose (11) whereof the inlet (11a) is arranged at the inclined face (10).

[0033] Advantageously, not illustrated, and in order to gather the air pockets (6) around a specific zone and decrease the number of hoses (11) to be implemented, the ceiling (3) of the enclosure (2) is concave.

[0034] The discharge of air pockets (6) from the manifold (1) generates a fuel transfer from the tank to the manifold (1).

[0035] The preceding shows that the design of the fuel manifold (1) according to the invention makes it possible to prove, in a guaranteed and quantifiable manner, its compliance with the standards in force relative to fuel flammability constraints, since it makes it possible to discharge the air pockets in order to avoid fuel ignition risks.