Ground maintenance tool for sediment discharge valve

Abstract

The invention provides a sediment discharge valve ground maintenance tool, and belongs to the field of aviation fuel systems, the ground maintenance tool comprises an end head, a supporting rod, a hanging joint, a funnel, an adjusting nut, a flowmeter and an oil discharge hose which are connected in sequence, the end head is fixed at the top of the supporting rod and used for ejecting a sediment discharge valve, and the supporting rod is an elastic long rod and used for penetrating through an oil discharge pipeline in an airplane; the hanging connector is fixedly connected to an aircraft oil drainage connector, the funnel is used for collecting and draining fuel oil, the bottom of the supporting rod is inserted into the adjusting nut, and the adjusting nut is in threaded connection with the bottom of the funnel and can adjust the length, exposed out of the funnel, of the supporting rod. On the premise that the sediment discharging valve meets the oil discharging function of a traditional sediment discharging valve, the self-locking function of equipment at the opening position is achieved through cooperation of ground maintenance tools, ground maintenance personnel are liberated, and practicability is high; the risk of fuel oil leakage caused by aircraft refueling when the precipitation discharge valve has a closing fault can be avoided, and higher reliability is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of aviation fuel systems and relates to a ground maintenance tool for a sedimentation valve. Background Art

[0002] The sedimentation valve is a commonly used device in civil aviation fuel systems. It is used to release the fuel and deposited impurities at the bottom of the fuel tank when the aircraft is docked. Commonly used sedimentation valves are divided into two categories: self-locking and non-self-locking. The sedimentation valve with self-locking function needs to rotate the valve core to achieve self-locking, but some sedimentation valves are installed inside the aircraft, that is, when the oil is discharged, it cannot be visually observed and cannot be directly rotated. It is difficult to achieve self-locking. When the sedimentation valve is installed inside the aircraft and cannot be visually observed, it is necessary to measure the real-time oil discharge flow to determine whether the sedimentation valve parts are deformed. When there is a hidden danger of failure, additional equipment needs to be added, which is complicated to operate. In addition, due to the tolerances of sedimentation valve installation, manufacturing and assembly of various parts of the aircraft in different aircraft, the effective length of the equipment support rod required for the sedimentation valve to discharge oil on each aircraft is inconsistent. Finally, because it is impossible to visually determine whether the sedimentation valve is open or closed, there is a risk of fuel tank leakage when the sedimentation valve is in the open state during aircraft refueling. Summary of the invention

[0003] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention designs a ground maintenance tool for a sedimentation valve, which, by cooperating with the aircraft oil draining interface, can achieve self-locking oil draining in a small space of the aircraft under the condition that the oil draining cannot be visually observed. The sedimentation valve itself does not need to have the oil draining self-locking function, and can automatically and stably return to and finally lock in the closed position after the oil draining is completed.

[0004] The present invention can be mounted on a corresponding interface of an aircraft, thereby freeing up ground maintenance personnel; it can adjust the extension length of the strut, thereby solving the problem of tolerance caused by equipment installation, parts manufacturing, parts assembly, etc. on different aircrafts; it can realize real-time measurement of the oil discharge flow rate, thereby assisting in determining whether parts of a sediment discharge valve are deformed; and it can be used in conjunction with a sediment discharge valve that does not have an oil discharge self-locking function, thereby solving the problem of being unable to determine whether the sediment discharge valve is fully closed due to the inability to visually observe.

[0005] The specific technical solutions of the present invention are as follows:

[0006] A ground maintenance tool for a sedimentation valve is used in conjunction with an oil discharge pipeline assembly arranged inside an aircraft. The oil discharge pipeline assembly includes a plurality of components connected in sequence from top to bottom: a sedimentation valve 8 arranged on the bottom structure 9 of the aircraft fuel tank, a fuel collection tank 10, a hose assembly 11, and an aircraft oil discharge interface assembly 13 installed on the aircraft body structure 12, wherein the hose assembly 11 can pass through multiple layers of aircraft interfaces, and the path is a straight line or a curve. The ground maintenance tool includes a terminal 1, a support rod 2, a hook joint 3, a funnel 4, an adjustment nut 5, a flow meter 6, and an oil discharge hose 7.

[0007] The end head 1 has a cylindrical structure at the top and a cylindrical structure at the bottom, which is sleeved on the top of the support rod 2 and fixedly connected.

[0008] The support rod 2 is a long rod with a certain degree of elasticity, and its diameter is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the hose assembly 11 in the oil drain pipeline assembly. When in use, the support rod 2 extends into the hose assembly 11 and can bend with the hose assembly 11. The lower end of the support rod 2 passes through the hanging joint 3, the funnel 4 and the adjusting nut 5 in sequence, and is finally inserted into the limiting hole in the center of the adjusting nut 5.

[0009] The described hanging joint 3 is a part similar to a straight-through joint, with a central hole for the strut 2 to pass through, an internal thread on the bottom for threaded connection with the top of the funnel 4, two bosses distributed in a straight line in the middle, and an internal thread and an external thread on the top. The hanging joint 3 is connected to the aircraft oil discharge interface assembly 13 in the oil discharge pipeline assembly. Its internal and external threads and two bosses make it applicable to the following interface forms: internal thread oil discharge interface, external thread oil discharge interface, and "C"-shaped hanging parts with the opening facing downward.

[0010] The center of the funnel 4 is a hollow long cylindrical structure, the middle of the outer wall of the long cylindrical structure surrounds the funnel structure, the top of the long cylindrical structure is formed with an external thread for threaded connection with the bottom of the hanging joint 3, and multiple oil holes are arranged on the cylinder wall above the connection between the long cylindrical structure and the funnel structure for fuel to flow into the lower part of the long cylindrical structure. A limiting through hole is set inside the long cylindrical structure to prevent the support rod 2 from moving in the funnel 4, and the bottom of the long cylindrical structure is provided with an external thread.

[0011] The adjusting nut 5 is a long cylindrical structure with a variable diameter. An internal thread is provided at the large diameter end at the top for threaded connection with the bottom of the funnel 4. The relative position between the adjusting nut 5 and the funnel 4 is moved by rotating the adjusting nut 5, thereby adjusting the length of the strut 2 extending out of the funnel 4. An external thread is formed at the small diameter end at the bottom, and the connection between the large and small diameter sections is closed. A limiting hole is formed in the center for inserting the lower end of the strut 2. A plurality of oil holes are provided around the limiting hole for the fuel to flow out.

[0012] The flow meter 6 is designed with an upstream interface and a downstream interface. The upstream interface is a sleeve nut for threaded connection with the bottom of the adjusting nut 5, and the downstream interface is a pagoda joint.

[0013] The oil drain hose 7 is a flexible tube, and its size specification matches the downstream interface of the flow meter 6. One end of the hose 7 is connected to the downstream pagoda connector of the flow meter 6, and the other end is placed in an oil container on the ground.

[0014] Furthermore, the support rod 2 is made of non-metallic material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0015] Furthermore, in the case where the load required to lift the sedimentation valve is large, a rotational lubrication method is added to the connection between the bottom of the support rod 2 and the adjusting nut 5, including but not limited to a metal sleeve, a rotating bearing, etc.

[0016] Working process: when the aircraft needs to perform oil discharge operation, rotate the adjusting nut 5 to adjust the length of the strut 2 extending out of the funnel 4, the strut 2 extends into the oil discharge pipeline assembly of the aircraft, and the hanging joint 3 is connected to the aircraft oil discharge interface assembly 13 to realize the hanging of the bottom surface maintenance tool. After hanging, rotate the adjusting nut 5, and the adjusting nut 5 pushes the strut 2 to increase the length of the strut 2 extending out of the funnel 4 until the end 1 opens the sedimentation valve and the aircraft oil discharge process begins; when the oil discharge is completed, rotate the adjusting nut 5 in the opposite direction to reduce the length of the strut 2 extending out of the funnel 4 until the sedimentation valve is closed, and then the ground maintenance tool is removed.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0018] 1. The present invention enables the sedimentation valve to achieve the self-locking function of the equipment in the open position through the cooperation of ground maintenance tools while satisfying the oil discharge function of the traditional sedimentation valve, thereby freeing up ground maintenance personnel and having high practicality;

[0019] 2. The present invention occupies a small space, has a simple structure, integrates multiple functions, is easy to promote, and has high economic benefits;

[0020] 3. During the use of the present invention, the risk of fuel leakage during aircraft refueling due to a closure failure of the sedimentation valve can be avoided, and the invention has higher reliability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 Overall view of the ground maintenance tools for placing the sedimentation valve.

[0022] Figure 2 It is the cross-sectional view of the end;

[0023] Figure 3 It is the overall view of the hitch joint;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the funnel;

[0025] Figure 5The figures are the cross-sectional view and the top view of the adjusting nut, wherein (a) is the cross-sectional view and (b) is the top view;

[0026] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a flow meter;

[0027] Figure 7 Assemble the cross-sectional views of the parts connected to the funnel;

[0028] Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the sedimentation valve installed inside an aircraft and the associated oil drain line assembly.

[0029] In the figure: 1 end; 2 support rod; 3 connecting joint; 4 funnel; 5 adjusting nut; 6 flow meter; 7 oil drain hose; 8 sedimentation valve; 9 aircraft fuel tank bottom structure; 10 fuel collection tank; 11 hose assembly; 12 aircraft body structure 12; 13 aircraft oil drain interface assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The technical solution of the present invention is described clearly and completely below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. All other embodiments improved or adjusted by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0031] This embodiment provides a ground maintenance tool for draining a sedimentation valve, which needs to be used in conjunction with an oil draining pipeline assembly arranged on an aircraft (such as Figure 8 As shown), that is, when the sedimentation valve is arranged in a small space inside the aircraft and the sedimentation valve cannot be seen during the oil discharge process, the aircraft needs to design an oil discharge passage for the sedimentation valve to ensure that the fuel can be discharged from the oil discharge passage to the outside of the aircraft. The oil discharge pipeline assembly includes a plurality of components connected in sequence from top to bottom: a sedimentation valve 8 arranged on the bottom structure 9 of the aircraft fuel tank, a fuel collection tank 10, a hose assembly 11 and an aircraft oil discharge interface assembly 13 installed on the aircraft body structure 12, wherein the hose assembly 11 can pass through multiple layers of aircraft interfaces, and the path is a straight line or a curve. The ground maintenance tool includes an end 1, a strut 2, a hook joint 3, a funnel 4, an adjusting nut 5, a flow meter 6, and an oil discharge hose 7, as shown Figure 1 and Figure 7 shown.

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, the upper part of the end head 1 is a cylindrical structure, and the lower part is a cylindrical structure, which is sleeved on the top of the support rod 2 and fixedly connected.

[0033] The support rod 2 is a long polytetrafluoroethylene rod, and its diameter is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the hose assembly 11 in the oil drain pipeline assembly. When in use, the support rod 2 extends into the hose assembly 11 and can bend with the hose assembly 11. The lower end of the support rod 2 passes through the hanging joint 3, the funnel 4 and the adjusting nut 5 in sequence, and is finally inserted into the limiting hole in the center of the adjusting nut 5.

[0034] like Figure 3 As shown, the hanging joint 3 is a part similar to a straight-through joint, with a central hole for the strut 2 to pass through, an internal thread formed on the bottom for threaded connection with the top of the funnel 4, two bosses distributed in a straight line in the middle, and an internal thread and an external thread formed on the top. The hanging joint 3 is connected to the aircraft oil discharge interface assembly 13 in the oil discharge pipeline assembly. The internal and external threads and the two bosses make it applicable to three types of interface forms: an internal thread oil discharge interface, an external thread oil discharge interface, and a "C"-shaped hanging part with the opening facing downward.

[0035] like Figure 4 As shown, the center of the funnel 4 is a hollow long cylindrical structure, the middle of the outer wall of the long cylindrical structure surrounds the funnel structure, the top of the long cylindrical structure is formed with an external thread for threaded connection with the bottom of the hanging joint 3, and four oil holes are arranged on the cylinder wall above the connection between the long cylindrical structure and the funnel structure for fuel to flow into the lower part of the long cylindrical structure. A limiting through hole is arranged inside the long cylindrical structure to prevent the support rod 2 from moving in the funnel 4, and an external thread is arranged at the bottom of the long cylindrical structure.

[0036] like Figure 5 As shown, the adjusting nut 5 is a long cylindrical structure with a variable diameter, and an internal thread is set at the large diameter end at the top for threaded connection with the bottom thread of the funnel 4. The relative position between the adjusting nut 5 and the funnel 4 is moved by rotating the adjusting nut 5, thereby adjusting the length of the strut 2 extending out of the funnel 4. The small diameter end at the bottom is made of an external thread, and the connection between the large and small diameter sections is closed. A limiting hole is made in the center for inserting the lower end of the strut 2, and when the adjusting nut 5 is rotated, the strut 2 will not rotate with it, and 4 oil holes are set around the limiting hole for the fuel to flow out.

[0037] like Figure 6 As shown, the flow meter 6 is designed with an upstream interface and a downstream interface. The upstream interface is a sleeve nut for threaded connection with the bottom of the adjusting nut 5, and the downstream interface is a pagoda joint.

[0038] The oil drain hose 7 is a flexible tube, and its size specification matches the downstream interface of the flow meter 6. One end of the hose 7 is connected to the downstream pagoda connector of the flow meter 6, and the other end is placed in an oil container on the ground.

[0039] Working process: when the aircraft needs to perform oil discharge operation, rotate the adjusting nut 5 to adjust the length of the strut 2 extending out of the funnel 4, the strut 2 extends into the oil discharge pipeline assembly of the aircraft, and the hanging joint 3 is connected to the aircraft oil discharge interface assembly 13 to realize the hanging of the bottom surface maintenance tool. After hanging, rotate the adjusting nut 5, and the adjusting nut 5 pushes the strut 2 to increase the length of the strut 2 extending out of the funnel 4 until the end 1 opens the sedimentation valve and the aircraft oil discharge process begins; when the oil discharge is completed, rotate the adjusting nut 5 in the opposite direction to reduce the length of the strut 2 extending out of the funnel 4 until the sedimentation valve is closed, and then the ground maintenance tool is removed.

[0040] In other embodiments, when the load required to lift the sedimentation valve is large, in order to avoid the situation where the support rod 2 rotates with the adjusting nut 5 due to the large friction between the support rod 2 and the adjusting nut 5, a rotational lubrication method is added to the connection between the bottom of the support rod 2 and the adjusting nut 5, including but not limited to a metal sleeve, a rotating bearing, etc.

[0041] The above-described embodiments merely express the implementation methods of the present invention, but they should not be understood as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for those skilled in the art, several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, which all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A ground maintenance tool for a sedimentation valve, used in conjunction with an oil drain pipeline assembly arranged inside an aircraft, characterized in that: The ground maintenance tool comprises an end (1), a support rod (2), a hook joint (3), a funnel (4), an adjusting nut (5), a flow meter (6), and an oil drain hose (7); The end (1) is fixedly connected to the top of the support rod (2); The support rod (2) is a long rod with a certain elasticity, the lower end of which passes through the hanging joint (3), the funnel (4) and the adjusting nut (5) in sequence, and is finally inserted into the limiting hole in the center of the adjusting nut (5); The hook joint (3) is a straight joint-like part, the bottom of which is fixedly connected to the funnel (4), and the top of which is connected to the aircraft oil discharge interface assembly (13) in the oil discharge pipeline assembly; The center of the funnel (4) is a hollow long cylindrical structure, the middle of the outer wall of the long cylindrical structure surrounds the funnel structure, a plurality of oil holes are arranged on the cylinder wall above the connection between the long cylindrical structure and the funnel structure, and an external thread is arranged at the bottom of the long cylindrical structure; The adjusting nut (5) is a long tube-like structure with a variable diameter. The large diameter end at the top is threadedly connected to the bottom of the funnel (4). The relative position between the adjusting nut (5) and the funnel (4) can be moved by rotating the adjusting nut (5). The small diameter end at the bottom is fixedly connected to the flow meter (6). The connection between the large and small diameter sections is closed. A limiting hole is formed in the center, and a plurality of oil holes are arranged around the limiting hole. The flow meter (6) is designed with an upstream interface and a downstream interface. The upstream interface is fixedly connected to the bottom of the adjusting nut (5), and the downstream interface is connected to the oil drain hose (7). The other end of the hose 7 is placed in the oil container.

2. A sedimentation valve ground maintenance tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support rod (2) is a long rod with a certain elasticity, and its diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the hose assembly (11) in the oil drain pipeline assembly.

3. A sedimentation valve ground maintenance tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support rod (2) is made of non-metallic material.

4. A sedimentation valve ground maintenance tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The middle part of the hanging joint (3) is provided with two bosses distributed in a straight line, and the top part is provided with an internal thread and an external thread. The applicable aircraft oil discharge interface assembly (13) interface forms include: an internal thread oil discharge interface, an external thread oil discharge interface, and a "C" type hanging part with the opening facing downward.

5. A sedimentation valve ground maintenance tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: A limiting through hole is arranged inside the long cylindrical structure of the funnel (4) to prevent the support rod (2) from moving inside the funnel (4).

6. A sedimentation valve ground maintenance tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the case where the load required to lift and release the sedimentation valve is relatively large, a rotating structural member is added at the connection between the bottom of the support rod (2) and the adjusting nut (5).

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