Fuselage-Embedded Fuel Tank for Aircraft Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft fuel tank designs often compromise between structural integration, fuel efficiency, and stability, as they either distribute fuel in multiple small tanks or use heavy materials to maintain fuel-tight seals, which can lead to weight penalties and complex center of gravity management during flight.
Innovation Solution
A fuselage-embedded fuel tank system where a large central pressure vessel acts as a load-bearing member, supported by load-bearing frame members and secured with straps and restraints, aligning the fuel tank's center of gravity with the aircraft's to maintain stability and simplify fuel management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fuel is distributed in multiple small tanks, then fuel management flexibility is improved, but system complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple small fuel tanks into a single large central fuel tank embedded in the fuselage. This consolidation reduces the number of fuel management components while maintaining adaptability through a single accessible fuel source that can serve multiple engines or propulsion systems, thereby reducing system complexity without sacrificing fuel management flexibility
2Reliability
If heavy materials are used for fuel-tight seals, then sealing reliability is improved, but aircraft weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials for the fuel tank structure, combining fuel-containing composite materials with structurally load-bearing composite materials. This integration achieves fuel-tight sealing and structural strength simultaneously without requiring heavy separate sealing components, thereby maintaining sealing reliability while minimizing aircraft weight
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel tank is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides fuel storage, acts as a load-bearing structural component, and ensures fuel-tight sealing. By integrating these functions into a single multi-functional system, the patent eliminates the need for separate heavy sealing systems while maintaining all required performance characteristics
3Quantity of substance
If fuel tank is positioned away from center of gravity, then fuel capacity distribution is improved, but flight stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the center of gravity of the fuel tank to coincide with the center of gravity of the aircraft. This equipotential positioning ensures that as fuel is consumed, the aircraft's center of gravity remains stable, maintaining flight stability throughout the flight profile while accommodating the required fuel capacity
4Quantity of substance
If multiple fuel tanks are used, then fuel capacity is increased, but number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple fuel tanks into a single large central fuel tank with a capacity sufficient to hold all fuel required for the aircraft's operational profile. This merging reduces the number of components from multiple separate tanks to a single integrated tank system, thereby increasing fuel capacity while minimizing component count
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
One embodiment is a system (300) comprising fuel tank (310) comprising a pressure vessel for storing fuel for a vehicle, the fuel tank (310) disposed within a fuselage (302) of the vehicle and extending a majority of a length of the fuselage (302), wherein a center of gravity of the fuel tank (310) is substantially aligned with a center of gravity of the fuselage (302). The fuel tank (310) may be disposed within the fuselage (302) such that the fuel tank (310) bears at least a portion of a load borne by the fuselage (302). Alternatively, the fuel tank (310) may be disposed within the fuselage (302) such that the fuel tank (310) is isolated from loads borne by the fuselage (302). In certain embodiments, the fuel tank (310) comprises a filament wound pressure vessel.