295results about "Power plant fuel supply" patented technology

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided simplified systems and methods for catalytically deactivating, removing, or reducing the levels of reactive component(s) from the vapor phase of fuel storage tanks. The simple apparatus described herein can be utilized to replace complex systems on the market. Simply stated, in one embodiment of the invention, the vapor phase from the fuel tank is passed over a catalytic bed operated at appropriate temperatures to allow the reaction between free oxygen and the fuel vapor by oxidation of the fuel vapor, thus deactivating reactive component(s) in the gas phase.

An aircraft capable of thrust-borne flight can be automatically retrieved, serviced, and launched using equipment suitable for use on a small vessel, or at a base with similarly limited space or irregular motion. For retrieval, the aircraft drops a tether, and pulls the tether at low relative speed into contact with a horizontal guide. The tether is pulled across the guide until the guide is captured by a hook or other end effector. The tether length is then adjusted as necessary, and the aircraft swings on the guide to hang in an inverted position. Translation of the tether along the guide then brings the aircraft to a docking carriage, in which the aircraft parks for servicing. For launch the carriage is swung upright, the end effector is released from the guide, and the aircraft thrusts into free flight. A full ground-handling cycle can thus be accomplished automatically with simple and economical apparatus. It can be used with low risk of damage, and requires only moderate accuracy in manual or automatic flight control.

A fuel delivery system for a gas turbine engine includes a main fuel pump supplying fuel to a fuel-metering device. The operational flow range of the fuel system is dependent on a minimum net positive suction pressure at the main pump inlet required to prevent pump cavitation. A mixture of fuel and dissolved gases increases the minimum net positive suction pressure required to prevent cavitation. A fuel de-aerator including a permeable membrane removes dissolved gases from the fuel to eliminate formation of dissolved gases. The elimination of dissolved gases from within the liquid fuel reduces the required net positive suction pressure, enabling a greater operational flow range.

A tube support structure for an aircraft includes: a parallel movement mechanism configured to support the tube movably in parallel; and an angle adjustment mechanism configured to support the tube angle-adjustably. The parallel movement mechanism includes: an eccentric sleeve, through which the tube passes, configured to adjust a position of the tube in a Z direction perpendicular to the X direction, and a Y direction adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of the eccentric sleeve in a Y direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Z direction. The angle adjustment mechanism includes: a first member configured to have a first curved surface and support the tube, and a second member configured to have a second curved surface with a shape corresponding to the first curved surface, have contact slidably with the first curved surface at the second curved surface, and support the first member by the second curved surface. Each of the first curved surface and the second curved surface is formed such that a cross-sectional shape in an XZ plane is a circular arc shape, and an angle of the tube is adjusted by sliding the first curved surface with respect to the second curved surface. Thus, a tube support structure for aircraft, which can suppress a preload, is provided.

A solar-powered aircraft uses solar energy to electrolyze on-board water to produce hydrogen. The hydrogen fills various on-board tanks, causing the aircraft to become lighter than air. The hydrogen is also used to operate a fuel cell which provides power for electrical equipment, including a motor for turning a propeller. Water produced as waste by the fuel cell is recycled for use in the production of hydrogen. When hydrogen is removed from the tanks, either because it is consumed by the fuel cell or because it is compressed and pumped out of the tanks, air returns to the tanks, and the aircraft becomes heavier than air. The aircraft can thus be made to climb and descend by making it lighter than air, or heavier than air. The aircraft emits no harmful substances into the environment. The aircraft can remain aloft indefinitely, limited only by an insignificant amount of leakage of hydrogen and water.

An aircraft refueling system incorporates a fuel port adapter configured to allow the use of jet fuel nozzle spout but prevent the use of avgas nozzle spout. The device has an opening that configured to receive a standard jet fuel nozzle spout. The device also includes a blocking plate that prevents a smaller, round standard avgas nozzle spout from being inserted into the opening. In addition, the device includes one or more spring-loaded flapping doors to prevent incorrect refueling while the jet fuel nozzle spout is not inserted through the flapping doors.