233results about "Liquid handling installations" patented technology

A powered nose aircraft wheel system (130) for an aircraft (12) includes landing gear (104) that extends from the aircraft (12). A wheel axel (136) is coupled to the landing gear (104). A wheel (134) is coupled to the wheel axel (136). A wheel motor (106) is coupled to the wheel axel (136) and the wheel (134). A controller (120) is coupled to the wheel motor (106) and rotates the wheel (134). A method of taxiing an aircraft (12) includes permitting the wheel (134) of the aircraft (12) to freely spin during the landing of the aircraft (12). Power is transferred from an auxiliary power unit (73) of the aircraft (12) to the wheel motor (106). The wheel (134) is rotated via the wheel motor (106). The aircraft (12) is steered and the speed of the wheel (134) is controlled via one or more controllers selected from an onboard controller (18, 118, 120) and an offboard controller (45, 58, 59).

A fuel quality monitoring system and method to automatically and / or continuously monitor quality of fuel dispensed and control the operation of the fuel dispenser. The control system monitors fuel quality to prevent unsafe refuelings when the fuel quality is unacceptable. In one embodiment, a combination of a differential pressure sensor, a water detector, and / or a particle monitor is employed inline the fuel flow path of a fuel dispenser, and in particular an aviation refueling truck, to monitor the quality of the fuel. If fuel quality is at an acceptable level although not ideal, the control system can allow fueling with the generation of reports and alarms. If the fuel quality is unacceptable, fuel flow can be stopped. If the differential pressure across the filter indicates a high degree of debris and / or water retention, the control system can automatically lower the flow rate to reduce the risk of filter breakdown without completely preventing fueling until the filter can be replaced.

The methods and system of the present invention provide for a means of preventing the introduction of incorrect fuel type into an engine. Data is transmitted wirelessly from a fuel storage apparatus to at least one receiver. In part, the selected data comprises the type of fuel that is required to be introduced into the fuel storage apparatus. Data is also transmitted wirelessly from a fuel dispensing apparatus to the receiver. In this case, the data comprises, in part, the type of fuel present in the fuel dispensing apparatus. The receiver determines whether the type of fuel required to be introduced into the fuel storage apparatus corresponds to the type of fuel present in the fuel dispensing apparatus. If the two types of fuel correspond, i.e., match, fuel is dispensed from the fuel dispensing apparatus into the fuel storage apparatus. If the two types of fuel do not match, the fuel dispensing apparatus is not activated. The receiving apparatus may also provide an indication that the fuel from the fuel dispensing apparatus does not match the type required to be introduced into the fuel storage apparatus. In another embodiment, if the two types of fuel do not match, a cut-off system is activated that stops dispensing of the fuel during the fueling process.

According to various embodiments, apparatuses and methods for providing a control system for aircraft refueling trucks is provided. The control system is configured for facilitating remote troubleshooting of one or more safety mechanisms associated with a flow of liquid fuel from a refueling vehicle to an aircraft, and analyzes data to determine whether one or more parameters associated with the one or more safety mechanisms have been satisfied. Once determined, the control system may generate a status for one or more selectable status indicators associated with the one or more safety mechanisms and display a visual representation of a particular safety mechanism associated with the selected status indicator The visual representation may include an image representing at least a physical location of the particular safety mechanism relative to the refueling truck so as to facilitate remote troubleshooting of the particular safety mechanism.

An aircraft servicing pit is provided that has a pit lid set within a supporting frame and hinged for rotation relative to a pit access opening. However, the pit lid is also completely detachable from the surrounding frame once it opened. The pit lid support has a flat deck surface with an access opening surrounded by a supporting rim located beneath the deck surface. A hinge pocket is defined in the structure of the pit lid support. A pair of hinge axle end slots are formed on the opposite sides of the pit lid support frame and are inclined upwardly and outwardly. The pit lid has a hinge leaf with a pair of hinge axle ends projecting transversely therefrom in opposite directions. The hinge axle ends engage the hinge axle end slots and are entrapped therein when the pit lid is closed. When the pit lid is open to the point where the pit lid is in generally coplanar relationship relative to the hinge axle end slots, the hinge axle ends can be easily withdrawn from the slots and the pit lid removed completely from its supporting frame. Complete detachment of the pit lid in this fashion eliminates obstructions otherwise presented by the pit lid and its hinge in drawing cables and hoses out of the pit enclosure.

The invention discloses a pilot control overflowing system for airplane pressure fuel filling. The pilot control overflowing system is characterized in that a manifold of an airplane pressure fuel filling joint passes through a tee joint and then is divided into two paths for transferring pressure, wherein one path is connected with an excess oil discharge control joint on an overflowing valve through a pressure control pipe and the other path is connected with a pressure control joint on the overflowing valve through a pressure control pipe; and a ventilation balanced joint on the overflowing valve is communicated with the atmosphere through a ventilation balanced pipe. Compared with the prior art, the invention has the advantages of automatic and simple control, favorable safety and reliability, light weight, no influence from the flying posture of the airplane and the like and is suitable for a pressure fuel filling system of a small-sized airplane.

A fuel quality monitoring system and method to automatically and / or continuously monitor quality of fuel dispensed and control the operation of the fuel dispenser. The control system monitors fuel quality to prevent unsafe refuelings when the fuel quality is unacceptable. In one embodiment, a combination of a differential pressure sensor, a water detector, and / or a particle monitor is employed inline the fuel flow path of a fuel dispenser, and in particular an aviation refueling truck, to monitor the quality of the fuel. If fuel quality is at an acceptable level although not ideal, the control system can allow fueling with the generation of reports and alarms. If the fuel quality is unacceptable, fuel flow can be stopped. If the differential pressure across the filter indicates a high degree of debris and / or water retention, the control system can automatically lower the flow rate to reduce the risk of filter breakdown without completely preventing fueling until the filter can be replaced.

A system for wirelessly refueling an aircraft includes an aircraft having a fuel tank, a control valve, a fuel sensor outputting a fuel signal indicative of the amount of fuel in the at least one fuel tank, and a controller controlling the control valve in response to the fuel signal, a refueling apparatus having a fuel supply, a pump and a controller in which is stored a fuel profile including fuel data indicative of the amount of fuel to be supplied to the at least one fuel tank, and wireless communication systems operably coupled to the controllers within the aircraft and refueling apparatus to control the operation of the control valve and the pump to fill the at least one fuel tank in accordance with the fuel profile and in response to the fuel signal.

A parallel balanced filling method for a high-capacity semi-management surface tension storage tank comprises steps as follows: (1) a satellite propellant filling pipeline is connected, and the leakage rate of a filling pipeline system is ensured to meet the requirements; (2) two parallel storage tanks are simultaneously filled with helium or release helium for replacement until sampled gas is tested to be qualified; (3) the propellant filling pipeline and pipelines at the downstream of the parallel storage tanks are vacuumized; (4) valve ports of filling and drainage valves of the parallel storage tanks are filled with the propellant; (5) the parallel storage tanks are simultaneously and stably filled until 90% or above of the rated filling quantity is reached; (6) refilling is performed on the parallel storage tanks until the filling quantity of each storage tank meets the task requirement; (7) air cushions are added to the storage tanks until required air cushion pressure is reached. By means of the method, parallel balanced filling of the high-capacity semi-management surface tension storage tank can be realized, time for filling the parallel storage tanks with the propellant is shortened, and the reliability and the safety of the satellite filling process are guaranteed.

A fuel delivery system of an aircraft refueling vehicle that is configured to distribute fuel from a hydrant pit valve at an airport. The fuel delivery system includes a first hose including a coupler that is configured to be fluidly connected to a hydrant pit valve at an airport to receive fuel from the hydrant pit valve. A fuel passageway is fluidly coupled to the first hose. An on-board fuel tank is fluidly coupled to the fuel passageway. A second hose is fluidly coupled to the fuel passageway. The second hose includes a nozzle that is configured to be coupled to a refueling point on an aircraft to distribute fuel into a fuel tank of an aircraft. A valve is coupled to the fuel passageway to control the flow of fuel to and from the aircraft refueling vehicle.

1. An inerting system for a vented controlled atmosphere container, for inerting a flammable gas comprising a flammable vapor and oxygen, comprising: (i) a container; (ii) an outlet in the container for the flammable gas; (iii) a compressor, in fluid communication with the outlet, which compresses the flammable gas from the container; (iv) a separator, in fluid communication with the compressor, for removing oxygen from the flammable gas to produce an oxygen-depleted flammable gas; (v) an inlet in the container, which is in fluid communication with the separator; through which the oxygen-depleted flammable gas is fed into the container.

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for containing aircraft fuel. According to some embodiments the apparatus includes a structural connector comprising an open shape, a first surface and a second surface, a seal defining a suction area disposed in the first surface, and a boot extending from the structural connector. The boot may comprise a lateral opening. The boot includes first and second ends, such that the first end of the boot may be attached to the structural connector and the second end may be spaced from the structural member. According to some embodiments the second end comprises a center offset laterally from the center of the structural connector.

An apparatus for providing convenience services to a stationary vehicle independent of the vehicle's electrical system. At least one conduit is attached to a housing for transferring the services to a supply panel. The supply panel includes a face on which the various controls and connectors associated with the supplied convenience services, such as heating, cooling, electrical power, compressed air, computer network communications, telephone, video, and television, are disposed. The supply panel is dimensioned to interface with the stationary vehicle through an opening in the vehicle, such as a window or service door, and includes means for providing a substantially airtight seal for climate control.

The invention discloses an unmanned aerial vehicle replenishing device and an unmanned aerial vehicle, and belongs to the field of the unmanned aerial vehicles. The unmanned aerial vehicle replenishing device comprises a parking apron, wherein a parking position and a replenishing device part are arranged on the parking apron; the replenishing device part comprises an oil tank, an oil pump, a pesticide liquor box and a pesticide liquor pump; an oil pipe and a pesticide liquor pipe are arranged on the oil pump and the pesticide liquor pump respectively; grooves are formed in the parking position; press-type switches are arranged in the grooves; the surface of the parking apron rises along the direction far away from the grooves; an outlet of the oil pipe and an outlet of the pesticide liquor pipe are formed beside the grooves; and a driver capable of driving the oil pipe and the pesticide liquor pipe to rise or fall is arranged on the parking apron, and is electrically connected with the press-type switches. The unmanned aerial vehicle is characterized in that the shape of an undercarriage of the unmanned aerial vehicle is matched with those of the grooves of the unmanned aerial vehicle replenishing device, and an oil receiving port of the unmanned aerial vehicle and a sac inlet of sac of the unmanned aerial vehicle face downwards. The unmanned aerial vehicle replenishing device can automatically replenish fuel and a pesticide liquor for the matched unmanned aerial vehicle.