Hydrant Servicer Fuel Distribution with Overfill Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Most fuel trucks are not designed to transfer fuel from a hydrant pit valve to an aircraft due to the lack of overfill protection at hydrant pit valves, which poses a risk of overfilling.
Innovation Solution
A fuel delivery system for an aircraft refueling vehicle that includes a hose with a coupler to connect to a hydrant pit valve, an on-board fuel tank, and a second hose with a nozzle to distribute fuel to an aircraft, featuring a valve that switches between filling the vehicle's tank and directly transferring fuel to the aircraft, and a freewheeling impeller mode for safe pressure management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fuel truck is used to transfer fuel from a hydrant pit valve to an aircraft, then fuel distribution can be performed, but the risk of overfilling increases due to lack of overfill protection at hydrant pit valves
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrant servicer acts as an intermediary device between the hydrant pit valve and the aircraft fuel tank. It receives fuel from the hydrant pit valve through a first hose, stores it temporarily in an on-board fuel tank, and then distributes it to the aircraft through a second hose. This intermediary approach allows the system to utilize hydrant pit valve fuel sources while implementing controlled fuel transfer with overfill protection through the servicer's valve system and freewheeling impeller mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel delivery system incorporates a freewheeling impeller that automatically disengages when the on-board fuel tank reaches full capacity. This self-service mechanism provides automatic overfill protection without requiring external monitoring or control systems, allowing the system to protect itself against overfilling when receiving fuel from hydrant pit valves that lack overfill protection provisions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a valve is added to switch between filling the vehicle's tank and transferring fuel directly to the aircraft, then operational flexibility improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel delivery system is designed with a multi-functional valve that can direct fuel flow to different destinations based on operational requirements. The same valve mechanism enables two primary modes: filling the on-board fuel tank from the hydrant pit valve, and transferring fuel directly from the hydrant pit valve to the aircraft. This universal valve design provides operational flexibility without requiring separate dedicated systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel transfer system is segmented into distinct functional components: a first hose for receiving fuel from the hydrant pit valve, a valve for directing flow, an on-board fuel tank for storage, and a second hose for aircraft fueling. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system simplicity and operational flexibility.
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
Enables safe and efficient distribution of fuel from a hydrant pit valve to an aircraft, preventing overfilling and ensuring controlled pressure, thereby addressing the limitations of existing fuel truck designs.
Implementation Method 1
An impeller of a fuel pump, which is configured to deliver fuel through the second hose, is disengaged such that the fuel pump operates in a freewheel mode
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel delivery system of an aircraft refueling vehicle that is configured to distribute fuel from a hydrant pit valve at an airport. The fuel delivery system includes a first hose including a coupler that is configured to be fluidly connected to a hydrant pit valve at an airport to receive fuel from the hydrant pit valve. A fuel passageway is fluidly coupled to the first hose. An on-board fuel tank is fluidly coupled to the fuel passageway. A second hose is fluidly coupled to the fuel passageway. The second hose includes a nozzle that is configured to be coupled to a refueling point on an aircraft to distribute fuel into a fuel tank of an aircraft. A valve is coupled to the fuel passageway to control the flow of fuel to and from the aircraft refueling vehicle.