AERIAL REFUELING SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A method for operating an aircraft refueling system, the aircraft refueling system having a computer system, a plurality of fuel tanks containing a fuel, a plurality of fuel pumps, a plurality of motor operated valves, and at least one refueling connection, the method comprising:
- using the computer system to signal at least one of the motor operated valves to open;
initiating a flow of the fuel to the at least one of the refueling connections using at least one of the pumps;
sensing a flow condition of the fuel;
signaling the flow condition to the computer system; and
varying an operating quantity of the pumps in response to the flow condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for operating an aircraft refueling system, where the aircraft refueling system has a computer system, a plurality of fuel tanks containing a fuel, a plurality of fuel pumps, a plurality of motor operated valves, and at least one refueling connection. The method may involve using the computer system to signal at least one of the motor operated valves to open; initiating a flow of the fuel to the at least one of the refueling connections using at least one of the pumps; sensing a flow condition of the fuel; signaling the flow condition to the computer system; and varying an operating quantity of the pumps in response to the flow condition.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for operating an aircraft refueling system, the aircraft refueling system having a computer system, a plurality of fuel tanks containing a fuel, a plurality of fuel pumps, a plurality of motor operated valves, and at least one refueling connection, the method comprising:
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using the computer system to signal at least one of the motor operated valves to open; initiating a flow of the fuel to the at least one of the refueling connections using at least one of the pumps; sensing a flow condition of the fuel; signaling the flow condition to the computer system; and varying an operating quantity of the pumps in response to the flow condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for operating an aircraft refueling system, the method comprising:
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connecting a first wing tank and a second wing tank by a connecting header; connecting a forward auxiliary fuel tank to the connecting header; connecting a center wing tank to the connecting header; connecting a rear auxiliary fuel tank to the connecting header; using a refueling connection located remotely from the wing tanks, the forward auxiliary fuel tank, the center wing tank, and the rear auxiliary wing tank, to discharge fuel from at least one said fuel tanks through the refueling connection; monitoring a flow of said fuel out from at least one of the fuel tanks; and controlling at least one fuel pump in communication with one of the fuel tanks in accordance with a monitored fuel flow in said connecting header to transfer said fuel from said one fuel tank to the refueling connection. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for operating an aircraft refueling system having a computer system, plurality of independent fuel tanks containing a fuel, a plurality of fuel pumps, a plurality of motor operated valves, and at least one refueling connection, the method comprising:
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using the computer system to control a plurality of the motor controlled valves to open and close, and a plurality of said pumps to being pumping; initiating a flow of said fuel to said at least one refueling connection using at least one of the pumps from at least one of the fuel pumps of a specified one of said fuel tanks; monitoring a flow of said fuel to said one refueling connection; and controlling operation of said motor controlled valves and said fuel pumps to redistribute a volume of fuel in said fuel tanks between selected one of said fuel tanks to balance the weight of said fuel tanks and to control a center of gravity of said aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification