Venturi Fuel Jettison System for Turbulence-Resistant Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fuel jettison systems in aircraft designs with narrow wing spacing at the trailing edge cause fuel to adhere to aerodynamic surfaces due to turbulent airflow, posing undesirable risks during inflight fuel discharge.

Innovation Solution

A fuel jettison system utilizing a venturi pump assembly with a venturi pump housing that projects into the airstream to accelerate fuel via the venturi effect, increasing its velocity and mitigating turbulence impacts on aerodynamic surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fuel is discharged through a conventional cylindrical jettison tube at the trailing edge of the wing, then the fuel discharge operation is simple, but the turbulent airflow at narrow wing spacing causes fuel to adhere to aerodynamic surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel discharge operationVSAvoidfuel impingement on aerodynamic surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful turbulent airflow into a beneficial force by using it to accelerate fuel through the venturi effect. The narrow spacing between control surfaces creates turbulence that, instead of causing fuel adhesion, is harnessed to increase fuel velocity and prevent it from adhering to aerodynamic surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the velocity parameter of the discharged fuel by incorporating a venturi pump assembly. This device accelerates the fuel to a higher velocity that overcomes the turbulent airflow effects, transforming the fuel discharge from a low-velocity operation prone to adhesion into a high-velocity operation that mitigates adhesion risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Volume of moving object

If the wing configuration has narrow spacing between control surfaces, then the wing design is compact, but turbulent airflow causes fuel to adhere to aerodynamic surfaces during jettison

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewing configurationVSAvoidfuel adhesion to aerodynamic surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful turbulent airflow generated by narrow wing spacing into a beneficial acceleration mechanism. The venturi pump assembly utilizes the turbulent airflow to increase fuel velocity, transforming the compact wing design's disadvantage into an advantage for fuel jettison operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs pneumatic principles by using the venturi effect, where the turbulent airflow (a gas flow) creates a pressure differential that accelerates the fuel discharge. This pneumatic mechanism allows the system to leverage the existing airflow environment to achieve higher fuel discharge velocities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If fuel discharge velocity is increased to overcome turbulence, then fuel impingement is mitigated, but the energy required for discharge increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel impingement on aerodynamic surfacesVSAvoidenergy for fuel discharge

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The venturi pump assembly is designed to be self-powered by the existing fuel system pressure and ambient airflow. It does not require an external power source or additional energy input beyond what is already available in the aircraft's fuel system and flight environment, making the high-velocity discharge energy-efficient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the venturi effect, a pneumatic phenomenon, to convert the kinetic energy of the ambient airflow into pressure differential that drives fuel acceleration. This allows the system to achieve high discharge velocities by harnessing existing aerodynamic energy rather than consuming additional fuel system pressure or electrical power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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

The system effectively discharges fuel at a higher velocity, reducing the likelihood of fuel impingement on aircraft surfaces by leveraging the venturi effect to overcome turbulent airflow.

Implementation Method 1

Using a venturi effect, the fuel jettison system facilitates the inflight discharge of fuel from the aircraft during an inflight fuel jettison operation at a higher velocity that mitigates the effects of turbulence

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12391398B1Fuel jettison system

Publication Date: 2025.08.19 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A fuel jettison system for the inflight discharge of fuel from an aircraft, and an aircraft having such a fuel jettison system. Using a venturi effect, the fuel jettison system facilitates the inflight discharge of fuel from the aircraft during an inflight fuel jettison operation at a higher velocity that mitigates the effects of turbulence to thereby mitigate an occurrence of fuel jettison impingement on aerodynamic surfaces of the aircraft.