Aircraft Fuselage Tank Layout for Compact Hydrogen Fuel Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in aircraft design is to optimize the use of available volume for fuel storage while ensuring safety and efficiency, particularly with the use of hydrogen fuel, which requires lightweight and well-insulated storage systems.
Innovation Solution
The aircraft fuselage section incorporates two fuel storage tanks in a caudal tandem configuration with casings that are spaced apart in a perpendicular plane, using composite materials and vacuum-insulated conduits to enhance safety and reduce thermal gradients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If two fuel storage tanks are arranged in a caudal tandem configuration to optimize fuel volume, then the fuel storage capacity is improved, but the fuselage length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a purely longitudinal arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration by spacing the casings apart in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. This allows the tanks to be positioned in a caudal tandem configuration while containing the overall fuselage length through vertical or lateral utilization of space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests the casings within the fuselage structure by positioning them at different longitudinal positions and spacing them perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. This nested arrangement allows both tanks to be accommodated within the fuselage volume without simply extending the fuselage length.
2Reliability
If casings are spaced apart perpendicular to the longitudinal direction to prevent direct contact, then operational safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fuel storage system into two separate tanks with spaced-apart casings, isolating them from direct contact. This segmentation enhances safety by preventing thermal or mechanical interaction between tanks while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through the use of standard spacing techniques.
3Weight of moving object
If lightweight materials are used for the tanks to reduce weight, then the weight of the aircraft is reduced, but the insulating properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction for the tanks, combining lightweight structural materials with thermal insulation layers. This composite approach maintains reduced weight while providing necessary thermal insulation properties for fuel storage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration optimizes fuel volume, reduces the length of the fuselage required for storage, and enhances operational safety by preventing direct contact between casings and minimizing thermal effects, while using lightweight materials.
Implementation Method 1
vacuum-insulated conduits to enhance safety and reduce thermal gradients
Implementation Method 2
the first casing is spaced apart from the second casing according to a separation direction contained in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides an aircraft section comprising a first fuel storage tank and a second fuel storage tank arranged in a caudal tandem configuration. More in particular, the invention refers to an arrangement of said first and second tanks where the corresponding casings housing the conduits configured for distribution of fuel to and from inside the tanks are arranged in a common section of the fuselage and spaced between them.