Fuel recirculation system
US11623759B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 31, 2019 |
| Grant date | Apr 11, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 29, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/40
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed are systems and methods for maintaining bulk fuel temperatures in an aircraft. In one aspect, a recirculation system causes fuel to be delivered from a relatively low point near the feed hopper of each tank on the aircraft to one or more outboard locations of the wings. Once there, the fuel, due to gravity, flows back over the lower skin of the wing in channels back towards the fuselage, thus cooling the fuel. In other aspects, control systems are disclosed that coordinate the recirculation based on fuel levels in the tanks and fuel temperatures. The control systems also utilize a fuel scavenge system to maintain acceptable temperatures in the tanks.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.