Integrated Fuel Containment System for Aircraft

Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft range is limited by the weight increase from auxiliary fuel tanks, which also reduce usable cargo space and revenue, as existing solutions add structure and weight to the aircraft while trying to enhance fuel capacity.

Innovation Solution

An integrated fuel containment system using existing aircraft barriers as tank walls, with an upper fuel barrier, aft wheel well bulkhead, aft fuel barrier, and lower fuselage skin panel to create a fuel tank that is sealed and pressurized, allowing for increased capacity with minimal weight addition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If auxiliary fuel tanks are installed in the cargo area to increase fuel capacity, then aircraft range is extended, but aircraft weight increases and cargo space is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel capacityVSAvoidaircraft weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel containment system merges the fuel tank structure with existing aircraft structural components (barriers, bulkheads, fuselage skin panels). By combining the fuel storage function with structural elements that already exist in the aircraft, the system avoids adding separate tank structures and their associated weight, thereby increasing fuel capacity while minimizing weight penalty

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Existing structural components of the aircraft (barriers, bulkheads, fuselage skin) serve dual purposes: they maintain aircraft structural integrity and simultaneously form the containment boundaries of the fuel tank. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated tank walls, reducing overall system weight while maintaining fuel capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If auxiliary fuel tanks are installed to increase fuel capacity, then aircraft range is extended, but usable cargo space is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel capacityVSAvoidcargo space

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel containment system is integrated with existing aircraft structural components (barriers, bulkheads, fuselage skin panels), allowing the fuel tank to occupy space that would otherwise be structural or empty, thereby minimizing encroachment on usable cargo space while maximizing fuel capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fuel tank is configured to utilize the three-dimensional space within the aircraft fuselage by defining boundaries using existing structural elements at different spatial locations (upper barrier below cabin floor, lower barrier at cargo floor, aft barriers at wheel well bulkhead). This spatial integration allows fuel storage without sacrificing cargo bay accessibility or structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of moving object

If traditional auxiliary fuel tanks are added to increase fuel capacity, then aircraft range is extended, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel capacityVSAvoidfuel system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel containment system merges the fuel tank structure with existing aircraft structural components (barriers, bulkheads, fuselage skin panels). By combining the fuel storage function with structural elements that already exist in the aircraft, the system avoids adding separate tank structures and their associated weight, thereby increasing fuel capacity while minimizing weight penalty

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Existing structural components of the aircraft (barriers, bulkheads, fuselage skin) serve dual purposes: they maintain aircraft structural integrity and simultaneously form the containment boundaries of the fuel tank. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated tank walls, reducing overall system weight while maintaining fuel capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11718411B2Fuel containment system

Publication Date: 2023.08.08 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A fuel containment system for an aircraft is provided. The fuel containment system comprises an upper fuel barrier under a cabin floor, an aft wheel well bulkhead, an aft fuel barrier opposite the aft wheel well bulkhead, a lower fuel barrier associated with a cargo floor, and a lower fuselage skin panel. A fuel tank is created by the upper fuel barrier, the aft wheel well bulkhead, the aft fuel barrier, the lower fuel barrier, and the lower fuselage skin. The fuel tank is integrated into the aircraft and existing structural components are sealed to prevent fuel from leaking out of the integrated fuel tank.