An oil tank with axial limit compression

Abstract

The present invention relates to an oil tank with axial limit compression, which is composed of a soft oil tank compressible in the length direction and a corresponding limit device. It comprises an oil tank shell (1), a front pressing limit device (2), a rear pressing limit device (3), a drive system (24) and a compressible soft oil tank (5), wherein the compressible soft oil tank (5) is located in the oil tank shell (1), the front pressing limit device (2) and the rear pressing limit device (3) are pressed on both ends of the compressible soft oil tank (5), and when the oil in the compressible soft oil tank (5) decreases, the front pressing limit device (2) and the rear pressing limit device (3) are driven by the drive system (24) to move synchronously towards each other, so that the center of gravity of the oil in the compressible soft oil tank (5) remains unchanged. The present invention creates a new solution for a fuel tank of a small aircraft.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an aircraft fuel tank, in particular to a fuel tank with adjustable volume, controllable center of gravity and axial limited compression created by a new idea. Background Art

[0002] Aircraft fuel tanks are important structural components of modern aircraft. Their main function is to store the fuel required for the flight of the aircraft. According to their different structural forms, they can be roughly divided into three categories: soft fuel tanks, hard fuel tanks and integral fuel tanks. The main features of soft fuel tanks are that they can make full use of the available space of various shapes inside the aircraft to increase the fuel storage capacity. They have a simple structure, are not affected by vibration, and are not prone to cracks or damage. Hard fuel tanks are mainly used in high-temperature areas within the fuselage and locations where the fuel tank compartment cannot withstand internal pressure. Integral fuel tanks refer to fuel tanks that use part of the structure of the wing or fuselage body, which can significantly reduce the weight of the fuel system and make the most of the internal space of the fuselage. They are widely used in modern aircraft.

[0003] The main fuel tanks of civil aircraft are mostly integral fuel tanks, which are directly formed by the structural elements of the fuselage and wings. The internal structure of the wings on both sides or the fuselage structure can be used as structural fuel tanks. A partition is set inside each fuel tank to prevent fuel sloshing caused by changes in the aircraft's flight attitude, and a baffle-type one-way valve is installed on the partition: when the aircraft is maneuvering, the oil in the fuel tank is prevented from moving from the wing root to the wing tip, and the oil is allowed to flow from the wing tip to the wing root. Aircraft usually use an "open ventilation system" to connect the oil-free space above each fuel tank surface with the outside atmosphere to avoid a large pressure difference between the fuel tank and the outside atmosphere within the entire aircraft's flight envelope, resulting in a very large force acting on the fuel tank structure. In addition, there are several oil dipsticks under each main fuel tank to check the amount of oil in the tank. A priming pump is set in each tank compartment. When the engine is working, the fuel of each tank is called through the fuel pipeline in a certain order.

[0004] In the design of fuel tanks for small aircraft, the fuel system is relatively simple due to the limitations of volume, weight and system complexity. In the previous design of small aircraft, plastic tanks with smaller capacity and rubber soft tanks were widely used. The effective fuel capacity of an aircraft directly affects its range index. With the continuous expansion of the application of small flight platforms, the demand for flight endurance, range and carrying capacity is also increasing, so a larger fuel capacity is needed. It is estimated that the maximum fuel weight of the takeoff can reach more than 40%. When the flight attitude changes, the fuel sloshing has a great impact on the overall center of gravity, which brings about problems in stability, controllability, safety and other aspects. This is the main problem in the large-scale fuel tanks of small aircraft. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to seek an innovative design idea to design a fuel tank for a small aircraft; and to use the innovative design idea to design a fuel tank with axial limited compression, which has a stable center of gravity, a large oil storage capacity, a simple and reliable structure, a light weight, and a low cost.

[0006] The purpose of the present invention and the technical problem to be solved are achieved by adopting the following technical solutions. According to the present invention, an oil tank with axial limit compression includes an oil tank shell 1, a front compression limit device 2, a rear compression limit device 3, a drive system 24 and a compressible soft oil tank 5, wherein the compressible soft oil tank 5 is located in the oil tank shell 1, and the front compression limit device 2 and the rear compression limit device 3 are compressed at both ends of the compressible soft oil tank 5. When the amount of oil in the compressible soft oil tank 5 decreases, the front compression limit device 2 and the rear compression limit device 3 are driven by the drive system 24 to move synchronously toward each other, so that the center of gravity of the oil in the compressible soft oil tank 5 remains unchanged.

[0007] The purpose of the present invention and the solution to its technical problems can be further achieved by adopting the following technical measures.

[0008] The aforementioned oil tank with axial limited compression, the oil tank shell 1 includes a cylindrical shell 11, a partition 12 and a sliding guide 13, wherein the sliding guide includes two upper sliding guides 131 and two lower sliding guides 132, both of which are fixed in the cylindrical shell 11; the bottoms of the front clamping limit device 2 and the rear clamping limit device 3 are both slidably connected to the lower sliding guide 132, and the upper parts are respectively fixed to the ends of the first rack 22 and the second rack 32; the first rack 22 and the second rack 32 are respectively fixed to the first slider 23 and the second slider 33, and the first slider 23 and the second slider 33 are respectively connected to an upper sliding guide 131; the partition 12 is arranged in the cylindrical shell 11, pressed on the compressible soft oil tank 5, and there is a distance between it and the cylindrical shell 11, and the partition 12 is provided with a gear mechanism 4 that cooperates with the first rack 22 and the second rack 32.

[0009] The aforementioned oil tank with axial limit compression, wherein the driving system 24 is a tension spring, one end of the tension spring 24 is fixed to the lug of the upper sliding guide rail 131, and the other end is fixed to the front clamping limit device or the rear clamping limit device.

[0010] In the aforementioned oil tank with axial limiting compression, the front pressing limiting device 2 and the rear pressing limiting device 3 are of symmetrical structure.

[0011] The aforementioned oil tank with axial limited compression, the gear mechanism 4 is composed of an external gear 41, a ratchet 42, a locking device 43 and a support shaft 44, wherein the two ends of the support shaft 44 are respectively fixed on the partition 12 and the cylindrical shell 11; the external gear 41 is meshed with the first rack 22 and the second rack 32.

[0012] In the aforementioned oil tank with axial limited compression, the first rack 22 and the second rack 32 are both pressed on the partition.

[0013] The aforementioned oil tank with axial limited compression, the compressible soft oil tank 5 is composed of a soft oil tank 51, an oil delivery conduit 52 and an oil filling pipe 53.

[0014] In the aforementioned oil tank with axial limit compression, the soft oil tank 51 is made of three layers of materials, the inner and outer layers are made of PVC material resistant to fuel oil corrosion, the middle layer is made of nylon fiber reinforced rubber material, and the outer layer is coated with polytetrafluoroethylene film. In the aforementioned oil tank with axial limit compression, there are multiple first sliders 23 and second sliders 33.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has positive effects:

[0016] The present invention provides an axially compressible soft oil bladder type oil tank, and designs a corresponding compression limit device to achieve control of the center of gravity position and center of gravity stability of the oil tank from a full oil state to a nearly oil-free state.

[0017] The present invention seeks an innovative design idea for the fuel tank design, and designs a new axially limited compression fuel tank solution with a stable center of gravity and a large oil storage capacity, which creates a new path for the design of fuel tanks for small aircraft and helps to extend the cruising range of small aircraft.

[0018] The present invention expands the application scope of the soft oil tank;

[0019] The present invention creates a new idea and method for suppressing the change of the center of gravity of fuel sloshing in a fuel tank;

[0020] The center of gravity of the oil tank of the present invention is stable and controllable from a full oil state to an oil-free state, and the influence of fuel sloshing on the center of gravity can be reduced by more than 90%.

[0021] The fuel tank of the present invention improves the center of gravity stability and allows the aircraft to carry more fuel.

[0022] The oil tank of the present invention can compress the axial length of the soft oil tank to about 10% of the original length, with a small amount of residual oil, thereby increasing the effective oil carrying capacity.

[0023] The oil tank of the present invention has the advantages of light weight, stable operation and good reliability.

[0024] The oil tank solution of the present invention has no air in the oil tank, so the oxygen content of the fuel can be controlled at a relatively low level, is not prone to explosion, has good safety, and can withstand long-term storage.

[0025] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to more clearly understand the technical means of the present invention, it can be implemented in accordance with the contents of the specification. In order to make the above and other purposes, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the following specifically cites a preferred embodiment and describes it in detail with the accompanying drawings as follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the oil tank with axial limit compression in a full oil state according to the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a half-oil state of an oil tank with axial limit compression according to the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the fuel tank with axial limit compression of the present invention when the fuel is exhausted;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a structural schematic diagram of Example 1 of an oil tank with axial limited compression according to the present invention;

[0030] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the gear mechanism of the oil tank with axial limited compression of the present invention;

[0031]

Main component symbol description

[0032] 1: Oil tank shell

[0033] 11: Cylindrical shell

[0034] 12: Partition

[0035] 13: Sliding rail

[0036] 131: Upper sliding rail

[0037] 132: Lower sliding rail

[0038] 2: Front pressing limit device

[0039] 22: First rack

[0040] 23: First Slider

[0041] 24: Drive system

[0042] 3: Rear clamping limit device

[0043] 32: Second rack

[0044] 33: Second slider

[0045] 4: Gear mechanism

[0046] 41: External gear

[0047] 42: Ratchet

[0048] 43: Locking device

[0049] 44: Support shaft

[0050] 5: Compressible soft fuel tank

[0051] 51: Soft fuel tank

[0052] 52: Oil pipeline

[0053] 53: Oil filling pipe DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] In order to further explain the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention to achieve the predetermined invention purpose, the specific implementation method, structure, characteristics and effects of the oil tank with axial limit compression proposed by the present invention are described in detail below in combination with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. Figure 1-3 , which is a schematic diagram of the oil tank with axial limit compression of the present invention, the oil tank is composed of a soft oil tank compressible in the length direction and a corresponding limit device. It includes an oil tank shell 1, a front compression limit device 2, a rear compression limit device 3, a compressible soft oil tank 5 and a drive system 24. The compressible soft oil tank 5 is placed in the oil tank shell 1. The front compression limit device 2 and the rear compression limit device 3 are driven by the drive system 24 to compress the compressible soft oil tank 5 from both ends to the middle, so that the length of the space where the compressible soft oil tank 5 is located matches the internal fuel inventory. The interior of the compressible soft oil tank 5 is an oil-filled structure, and the center of gravity will basically not change when the gear is shaken. At the same time, the position of the compressible soft oil tank 5 is limited and cannot be moved, thereby controlling the change of the center of gravity of the oil tank.

[0055] See also Figure 4-5 , which is a schematic structural diagram of an oil tank embodiment 1 with axial limit compression of the present invention. In this embodiment, the oil tank shell 1 includes a cylindrical shell 11, a partition 12 and a sliding guide 13, wherein the sliding guide includes two upper sliding guides 131 and two lower sliding guides 132, all of which are fixed in the cylindrical shell 11, and can strengthen the cylindrical shell 11. The bottoms of the front clamping limit device 2 and the rear clamping limit device 3 are both slidably connected to the lower sliding guide 132, and the upper parts are respectively fixed to the ends of the first rack 22 and the second rack 32; the first rack 22 and the second rack 32 are respectively fixed to the first slider 23 and the second slider 33, and the first slider 23 and the second slider 33 are respectively connected to an upper sliding guide 131. Preferably, there are multiple first sliders 23 and second sliders 33 connected to the upper sliding guides.

[0056] The partition 12 is arranged in the cylindrical housing 11, and is pressed on the compressible soft oil tank 5. The first rack 22 and the second rack 32 are both pressed on the partition. The partition 12 is provided with a gear mechanism 4 that cooperates with the first rack 22 and the second rack 32. There is a gap between the partition and the cylindrical housing 11, that is, there is a movable space between the partition 12 and the cylindrical housing 11 for the connection between the front pressing limit device and the rear pressing limit device and the rack, and an installation space for the gear mechanism 4.

[0057] The front pressing limit device 2 and the rear pressing limit device 3 are of symmetrical structure. The driving system 24 uses a tension spring, one end of which is fixed to the lug of the upper sliding guide rail 131, and the other end is fixed to the lug of the front pressing limit device 2 or the rear pressing limit device 3. Under the driving action of the driving system 24, as the oil is used and reduced, the gear mechanism is activated, and the front pressing limit device and the rear pressing limit device fixed to the rack are compressed and moved synchronously, so that the center of gravity of the oil tank will not change.

[0058] The gear mechanism 4 is composed of an external gear 41, a ratchet 42, a locking device 43 and a support shaft 44. The ratchet 42 is fixed on the support shaft 44, and the two ends of the support shaft 44 are respectively fixed on the cylindrical shell 11 and the partition 12. The locking device 43 and the ratchet 42 limit the rotation direction of the gear, that is, the front pressing limit device and the rear pressing limit device can only be displaced in one direction.

[0059] The compressible soft oil tank 5 is composed of a soft oil tank 51, an oil delivery conduit 52, and an oil filling pipe 53; the soft oil tank 51 is made of three layers of material, the inner and outer layers are made of PVC material resistant to fuel corrosion, the middle layer is made of nylon fiber reinforced rubber material with certain strength and rigidity, and the outer layer is coated with a polytetrafluoroethylene film to reduce the friction between the soft oil tank 51 and the oil tank shell 1, and to prevent the soft oil tank 51 from friction damage.

[0060] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the objectives, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present invention in detail. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An oil tank with axial limited compression, characterized in that: The invention comprises an oil tank shell (1), a front pressing limit device (2), a rear pressing limit device (3), a drive system (24), and a compressible soft oil tank (5), wherein the compressible soft oil tank (5) is located in the oil tank shell (1), and the front pressing limit device (2) and the rear pressing limit device (3) are pressed on two ends of the compressible soft oil tank (5); when the oil in the compressible soft oil tank (5) decreases, the front pressing limit device (2) and the rear pressing limit device (3) are driven by the drive system (24) to move synchronously towards each other, so that the center of gravity of the oil in the compressible soft oil tank (5) remains unchanged; the oil tank shell (1) comprises a cylindrical shell (11), a partition (12), and a sliding guide rail (13), wherein the sliding guide rail comprises two upper sliding guide rails (131) and two lower sliding guide rails (132), are fixed in the cylindrical shell (11); the bottoms of the front clamping limit device (2) and the rear clamping limit device (3) are slidably connected to the lower sliding guide rail (132), and the upper parts are respectively fixed to the ends of the first rack (22) and the second rack (32); the first rack (22) and the second rack (32) are respectively fixed to the first slider (23) and the second slider (33), and the first slider (23) and the second slider (33) are respectively connected to an upper sliding guide rail (131); the partition plate (12) is arranged in the cylindrical shell (11), pressed on the compressible soft oil tank (5), and has a spacing between it and the cylindrical shell (11), and the partition plate (12) is provided with a gear mechanism (4) that cooperates with the first rack (22) and the second rack (32); The gear mechanism (4) is composed of an external gear (41), a ratchet (42), a locking device (43) and a support shaft (44), wherein two ends of the support shaft (44) are respectively fixed to the partition plate (12) and the cylindrical shell (11); the external gear (41) is meshed with the first rack (22) and the second rack (32); There are a plurality of first sliding blocks (23) and a plurality of second sliding blocks (33).

2. The oil tank with axial limited compression according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The driving system (24) is a tension spring, one end of which is fixed to a lug of the upper sliding guide rail (131), and the other end of which is fixed to a front pressing limit device or a rear pressing limit device.

3. The oil tank with axial limited compression according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The front pressing and limiting device (2) and the rear pressing and limiting device (3) are of symmetrical structure.

4. The oil tank with axial limited compression according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The first rack (22) and the second rack (32) are both pressed on the partition.

5. The oil tank with axial limited compression according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The compressible soft oil tank (5) is composed of a soft oil tank (51), an oil delivery conduit (52) and an oil filling pipe (53).

6. The oil tank with axial limited compression according to claim 5 is characterized in that: The soft oil tank (51) is made of three layers of material, the inner and outer layers are made of PVC material resistant to fuel corrosion, the middle layer is made of nylon fiber reinforced rubber material, and the outer layer is coated with a polytetrafluoroethylene film.

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