Residual oil conveying device and residual oil conveying method of ventilation oil tank for airplane

Abstract

The invention provides a ventilation oil tank residual oil conveying device for an airplane and a residual oil conveying method. The ventilation oil tank residual oil conveying device for the airplane comprises a ventilation oil tank; the main oil tank is adjacent to the ventilation oil tank; an inlet of the oil suction pipeline is arranged at the bottom of the ventilation oil tank, and an outlet of the oil suction pipeline is arranged in the main oil tank; and an oil way inlet of the jet pump is connected with an outlet of the oil suction pipeline, an oil way outlet of the jet pump is arranged in the main oil tank, and a gas way inlet of the jet pump is connected with the dynamic flow source. The structure is simple and effective, the working performance is stable and reliable, and compared with the design that oil is discharged from the bottom of the ventilation oil tank and discharged residual oil cannot be recycled, the residual oil conveying structure of the ventilation oil tank for the airplane is provided with the oil quantity detection device for detecting the fuel oil quantity of the ventilation oil tank; the residual fuel oil is quickly transferred from the ventilation oil tank to the main oil tank in the air or on the ground to be reused by the engine, so that the waste of the fuel oil is effectively reduced, the cost is saved, and the safety risk caused by fuel oil overflow is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aviation fuel equipment technology, specifically to a device for transferring excess fuel from an aircraft ventilated fuel tank and a method for transferring excess fuel. Background Technology

[0002] Fuel expands or contracts at different altitudes and temperatures, requiring proper venting to avoid damaging the fuel tank structure or affecting fuel supply. Installing vented fuel tanks on aircraft can prevent excessively high or low pressure inside the fuel tank and maintain pressure balance.

[0003] During aircraft use, residual fuel in the vent line will flow into the vent tank. The existing design has a drain port at the bottom of the tank, and the residual fuel can only be discharged on the ground after the flight. Moreover, the discharged residual fuel cannot be reused. At the same time, the failure to discharge the residual fuel in the vent tank in a timely manner can lead to fuel overflow, which poses a safety risk and causes the flight mission to be downgraded.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to design an efficient and safe structure for discharging residual oil, which can quickly discharge and reuse the residual oil in the venting tank. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides a device and method for transferring excess fuel from an aircraft ventilated fuel tank, so as to effectively reduce fuel waste, save costs, and reduce the safety risks caused by fuel spillage.

[0006] The present invention provides the following technical solution: a device for transferring excess fuel from a ventilated fuel tank for an aircraft, comprising: a ventilated fuel tank; a main fuel tank, disposed adjacent to the ventilated fuel tank; a suction line, the inlet of which is located at the bottom of the ventilated fuel tank, and the outlet of the suction line located inside the main fuel tank; and an ejector pump, the inlet of which is connected to the outlet of the suction line, the outlet of which is located inside the main fuel tank, and the air inlet of which is connected to a flow source.

[0007] A method for transferring residual oil includes the following steps: setting the oil level detection device (5) to three detection positions: low oil level, medium oil level, and high oil level; when the oil level detection device detects that the vent oil tank is in a low oil level state, the flow source is in a closed state, and both sets of oil suction structures are in a closed state; when the oil level detection device detects that the vent oil tank is in a medium oil level state, the flow source is turned on, one set of oil suction structures starts working, and the other set of oil suction structures is turned off; when the oil level detection device detects that the vent oil tank is in a medium oil level state, the flow source is turned on, and both sets of oil suction structures start working.

[0008] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects that the above-mentioned at least one technical solution adopted by the present invention can achieve include at least the following: the structure is simple and effective, and the working performance is stable and reliable. Compared with the design of draining fuel from the bottom of the vent tank and releasing the remaining fuel, the structure of the aircraft using the vent tank to transport the remaining fuel is equipped with a fuel quantity detection device to detect the fuel quantity in the vent tank. Through the ejector pump and the pipeline connected to the main fuel tank, the remaining fuel is quickly transferred from the vent tank to the main fuel tank in the air or on the ground for reuse by the engine, which effectively reduces fuel waste, saves costs, and reduces the safety risks caused by fuel spillage. Attached Figure Description

[0009] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the present invention. The attached diagram is labeled as follows: 1. Flow source; 2. Oil suction line; 3. Ejector pump; 4. Check valve; 5. Oil quantity detection device; 6. Fastener; 7. Vent tank; 8. Main oil tank; 9. Oil drain device; 10. Oil suction line; 11. Solenoid directional valve. Detailed Implementation

[0011] The embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0013] Reference Figure 1 This invention provides a residual fuel transfer device for an aircraft ventilated fuel tank, comprising a ventilated fuel tank 7, a main fuel tank 8, a fuel suction line 2, an ejector pump 3, and a flow source 1. The main fuel tank 8 is arranged adjacent to the ventilated fuel tank 7. The inlet of the fuel suction line 2 is located at the bottom of the ventilated fuel tank 7, and its outlet is located inside the main fuel tank 8. The fuel inlet of the ejector pump 3 is connected to the outlet of the fuel suction line 2, and the fuel outlet of the ejector pump 3 is also located inside the main fuel tank 8. The air inlet of the ejector pump 3 is connected to the flow source 1.

[0014] The flow source 1 provides a powered airflow (such as from engine bleed air or a dedicated air source) to drive the ejector pump 3. When the flow source 1 is activated, the ejector pump 3 generates negative pressure in the suction line 2, drawing in residual fuel from the bottom of the vent tank 7 and delivering it to the main fuel tank 8 through the fuel outlet of the ejector pump 3, thereby achieving the transfer and reuse of residual fuel. This structure can operate in the air or on the ground, effectively preventing residual fuel from accumulating in the vent tank 7, reducing fuel waste and safety risks.

[0015] A one-way valve 4 is installed between the oil inlet of the ejector pump 3 and the outlet of the suction line 2. The one-way valve 4 prevents fuel backflow and ensures that residual fuel can only be transferred unidirectionally from the vent tank 7 to the main tank 8, thereby improving system reliability. The one-way valve 4 is connected to the tank wall by fasteners 6 to achieve a tight seal.

[0016] A filter (such as a fuel filter) is added between the one-way valve 4 and the fuel inlet of the ejector pump 3. The filter can remove impurities or particulate matter from the fuel, preventing blockage of the ejector pump 3 and the pipeline, and extending the service life of the components.

[0017] The oil suction line 2, ejector pump 3, and check valve 4 constitute an oil suction structure. This device can be configured with at least two oil suction structures, which are connected to the flow source 1 via an air bleed line. Multiple oil suction structures can operate in parallel, improving the efficiency of residual oil transfer, and are especially suitable for large aircraft or high oil level situations.

[0018] Multiple oil suction structures are connected to the air intake pipeline via electromagnetic reversing valves 11. The electromagnetic reversing valves 11 switch the airflow path according to control signals, enabling selective opening or closing of the oil suction structures and optimizing power distribution.

[0019] A fuel level detection device 5 (such as a capacitive or float-type level sensor) is installed on the inner wall of the vent tank 7. The fuel level detection device 5 monitors the fuel level in the vent tank 7 in real time and outputs low, medium, and high fuel level signals for control system operation.

[0020] A drain device 9 (such as a drain valve with a locking mechanism) is installed at the bottom of the ventilated fuel tank 7. The drain device 9 is used to drain sediment or residual fuel at the bottom of the ventilated fuel tank 7 when it is on the ground, to reduce microbial growth, and as an emergency draining method.

[0021] The present invention also provides a method for transferring excess fuel, employing the above-mentioned aircraft vent fuel tank excess fuel transfer device, and comprising the following steps: Step 1: Configure oil level detection device 5, and set three detection levels: low oil level, medium oil level, and high oil level.

[0022] Step 2: When the oil level detection device 5 detects that the vent oil tank 7 is in a low oil level state, the flow source 1 is turned off, all oil suction structures are in the closed state, and there is no need to drain oil.

[0023] Step 3: When the oil level detection device 5 detects that the vent oil tank 7 is in the middle oil level state, the flow source 1 is turned on, and the electromagnetic reversing valve controls one set of oil suction structures to work while the other set is turned off, so as to realize partial oil discharge.

[0024] Step 4: When the oil level detection device 5 detects that the vent oil tank 7 is in a high oil level state, the flow source 1 is turned on, the electromagnetic reversing valve is fully opened, and all oil suction structures work at the same time to achieve rapid oil discharge and prevent oil overflow.

[0025] In addition, when the aircraft is stationary on the ground and the fuel level detection device 5 detects a medium or high fuel level, the locking mechanism of the fuel drain device 9 will automatically unlock, allowing staff to manually open the fuel drain device 9 to discharge the fuel to an external container or treatment system, ensuring ground safety.

[0026] Modified Example 1: Power source 1 can take various forms, such as an engine bleed air system, a dedicated electric air pump, or a hydraulic power source. In the electric air pump solution, power source 1 is driven by the aircraft's power supply and is suitable for scenarios without engine bleed air (such as ground testing or electric aircraft).

[0027] Modified Example 2: The fuel level detection device 5 can be replaced with a smart sensor (such as a pressure sensor or an ultrasonic level gauge) and integrated with the aircraft's avionics system. Sensor data is transmitted to the central controller via a bus (such as ARINC 429) for automatic decision-making and fault diagnosis.

[0028] Modified Example 3: The device can be configured with three or more oil suction structures, each independently controlled. When one oil suction structure fails, the system automatically switches to the backup group, improving reliability. Furthermore, the inlet of the oil suction pipeline can be located at different positions (such as the side wall or top) of the ventilated oil tank 7 to accommodate the tank geometry.

[0029] Modified Example 4: By introducing a programmable logic controller or microprocessor, the operating mode of the fuel suction structure can be dynamically adjusted based on fuel level signals, flight status (air / ground), and environmental conditions (such as temperature and pressure). For example, in high-altitude, low-temperature environments, the system prioritizes the activation of multiple sets of fuel suction structures to prevent fuel solidification.

[0030] Modified Example 5: The fuel drain device 9 can be connected to a fuel recovery system, where the drained fuel is filtered and purified before being reinjected into the main fuel tank 8 or a ground-based fuel storage facility, achieving zero waste. The fuel drain device 9 can also be equipped with an automatic shut-off function, automatically closing when the fuel level drops to a safe value to prevent excessive discharge.

[0031] Modified Example 6: In aircraft with multiple vent tanks and main tanks, this device can be replicated for each vent tank and managed uniformly through a central flow source and distribution valve network. For example, in large passenger aircraft, the left and right vent tanks are equipped with independent fuel intake structures, which are coordinated by a central controller.

[0032] The ejector pump 3 and piping are made of impact-resistant materials (such as titanium alloy) and feature electromagnetic shielding. The oil level detection device 5 is explosion-proof and suitable for various environmental requirements.

[0033] This device can be miniaturized and utilizes lightweight materials and low-power components in the UAV fuel system. Power source 1 is driven by the UAV battery, and the fuel intake structure is directly controlled by the flight control computer, enabling autonomous residual fuel management.

[0034] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Therefore, any substitution of equivalent components or equivalent changes and modifications made within the scope of protection of this patent should still fall within the scope of this patent. Furthermore, the technical features, technical features and technical solutions, and technical solutions in this invention can be freely combined and used.

Claims

1. An oil transfer device for a vented fuel tank for an aircraft, characterized in that, The device comprises: a vented oil tank (7); a main oil tank (8) arranged adjacent to the vented oil tank (7); an oil suction pipeline (2) with an inlet arranged at the bottom of the vented oil tank (7) and an outlet arranged in the main oil tank (8); an ejector pump (3) with an oil inlet connected to the outlet of the oil suction pipeline (2) and an oil outlet arranged in the main oil tank (8), and with an air inlet connected to a dynamic flow source (1).

2. The vented fuel tank oil drain device for an aircraft according to claim 1, characterized by A one-way valve (4) is arranged between the oil inlet and the outlet of the oil suction pipeline (2).

3. The vented fuel cell oil drain device for an aircraft as defined in claim 2, wherein, A filter device is arranged between the one-way valve (4) and the oil inlet.

4. The vented fuel cell oil drain device for an aircraft, as set forth in claim 3, wherein, The oil suction pipeline (2), the ejector pump (3) and the one-way valve (4) form a set of oil suction structures, and the vented oil tank oil delivery device for an aircraft comprises at least two sets of the oil suction structures, and the at least two sets of the oil suction structures are connected to the dynamic flow source (1) through the air pipeline (2).

5. The vented fuel cell oil drain device for an aircraft, as set forth in claim 4, wherein, The at least two sets of the oil suction structures are connected to the air pipeline (2) through an electromagnetic reversing valve.

6. The vented fuel cell oil drain device for an aircraft, as set forth in claim 5, wherein, An oil quantity detection device (5) is arranged in the vented oil tank (7), and the oil quantity detection device (5) is arranged on the inner wall of the vented oil tank (7).

7. The vented oil tank oil delivery device for an aircraft according to claim 1, wherein a drain device (9) is arranged at the bottom of the vented oil tank (7).

8. A method for transferring excess oil using the excess oil transfer device for vented fuel tank of an aircraft according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the excess oil transfer device for vented fuel tank of an aircraft includes two groups of oil absorbing structures. The device comprises the following steps: The oil quantity detection device (5) is arranged in three detection gears of a low oil level, a medium oil level and a high oil level. When the oil quantity detection device (5) detects that the vented oil tank (7) is in a low oil level state, the dynamic flow source (1) is in a closed state, and the two sets of the oil suction structures are in a closed state. When the oil quantity detection device (5) detects that the vented oil tank (7) is in a medium oil level state, the dynamic flow source (1) is opened, one set of the oil suction structures starts to work, and the other set of the oil suction structures is closed. When the oil quantity detection device (5) detects that the vented oil tank (7) is in a medium oil level state, the dynamic flow source (1) is opened, and the two sets of the oil suction structures start to work.

9. The method of stripping oil according to claim 8, wherein, The device further comprises: When the aircraft is in a ground stationary state, and the oil quantity detection device (5) is in any one of the medium oil level and the high oil level, a locking mechanism of the drain device (9) is unlocked, the drain device (9) can be opened by a staff, and the drain device (9) can be used to drain oil outside the vented oil tank (7).

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