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Method and apparatus for treating fuel to temporarily reduce its combustibility

a liquid fuel and combustibility technology, applied in the direction of power plant fuel tanks, fuselages, transportation and packaging, etc., can solve the problems of rapid deceleration, loss of life due to smoke inhalation, and difficult survival of aircraft accidents, so as to achieve the effect of restoring the combustibility of the fuel

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-07-06
MATOS JEFFREY A +1
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004] It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for treating liquid fuel to substantially reduce its combustibility, for example when the fuel is to be stored, and to thereafter restore its combustibility.
[0005] It is a subsidiary object of the present invention to increase the time available for survivors of an aircraft accident to exit the aircraft, before the craft is enveloped in flames, and to decrease the likelihood that an uncontrolled (or uncontrollable) fire will occur.

Problems solved by technology

Aircraft accidents are very difficult to survive.
Not only does such an accident result in a rapid deceleration at the moment of impact, but, subsequent to impact, loss of life occurs due to smoke inhalation and burning, because of the fire which almost inevitably follows.

Method used

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  • Method and apparatus for treating fuel to temporarily reduce its combustibility
  • Method and apparatus for treating fuel to temporarily reduce its combustibility
  • Method and apparatus for treating fuel to temporarily reduce its combustibility

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Embodiment Construction

[0030] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings.

[0031] Identical elements in the various figures are designated with the same reference numerals.

[0032]FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention in which frozen fuel is loaded onto the aircraft. Frozen fuel 2 enters the frozen fuel supply chamber 4 through inlet 6. A refrigeration system 8 maintains the proper temperature in frozen fuel supply chamber 4 via cooling ports 10. The frozen fuel supply chamber is insulated with insulating material 12. Temperature and fuel phase, as well as other characteristics such as viscosity, are monitored within the frozen fuel chamber 4 by monitoring elements 14 which, in the case of temperature may be thermistor-based, thermocouple-based, or other technology, and in the case of phase monitoring may consist of optical density / turbidity monitoring, ultrasound monitoring to look for liquid / solid boundaries, or other monitori...

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PUM

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Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating fuel to temporarily reduce its combustibility, and thereafter restore its combustibility. As used in an aircraft, the method comprises the following steps: (a) treating aircraft engine fuel to substantially reduce its combustibility in open air; (b) carrying the treated fuel in a fuel tank of an aircraft; (c) increasing the combustibility of a portion of the treated fuel, as needed by the aircraft engine; and (d) supplying the increased restored combustibility fuel to the aircraft engine. Using this method, the preponderance of the fuel on board the aircraft is maintained at low combustibility for safety.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for treating liquid fuel to temporarily reduce its combustibility. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a system for treating fuel on board an aircraft, to improve the margin of safety in the event of an aircraft accident. [0002] Aircraft accidents are very difficult to survive. Not only does such an accident result in a rapid deceleration at the moment of impact, but, subsequent to impact, loss of life occurs due to smoke inhalation and burning, because of the fire which almost inevitably follows. [0003] Following an aircraft accident, it is imperative that any crew or passengers which remain conscious immediately exit the craft. The time available for such an emergency evacuation varies, but usually only a few minutes, if any, are available before the fuel carried on board the aircraft commences burning and in some cases, explodes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] It is...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B64D45/00B64D37/02A62C3/06B64D37/32
CPCA62C3/06B64D37/32
Inventor MATOS, JEFFREY A.MILDE, KARL F. JR.
Owner MATOS JEFFREY A
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