CATALYTIC FUEL TANK INERTING APPARATUS FOR AIRCRAFT
First Claim
1. A fuel tank inerting system for an aircraft, the system comprising:
- a fuel tank;
a first reactant source fluidly connected to the fuel tank, the first source arranged to receive fuel from the fuel tank;
a second reactant source;
a catalytic reactor arranged to receive a first reactant from the first source and a second reactant from the second source to generate an inert gas that is supplied to the fuel tank to fill a ullage space of the fuel tank; and
an inert gas recycling system located downstream of the catalytic reactor and upstream of the fuel tank, wherein the inert gas recycling system is arranged to direct a portion of the inert gas to the catalytic reactor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Fuel tank inerting systems and methods for aircraft are provided. The systems include a fuel tank, a first reactant source fluidly connected to the fuel tank, the first source arranged to receive fuel from the fuel tank, a second reactant source, a catalytic reactor arranged to receive a first reactant from the first source and a second reactant from the second source to generate an inert gas that is supplied to the fuel tank to fill a ullage space of the fuel tank, and an inert gas recycling system located downstream of the catalytic reactor and upstream of the fuel tank, wherein the inert gas recycling system is arranged to direct a portion of the inert gas to the catalytic reactor.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fuel tank inerting system for an aircraft, the system comprising:
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a fuel tank; a first reactant source fluidly connected to the fuel tank, the first source arranged to receive fuel from the fuel tank; a second reactant source; a catalytic reactor arranged to receive a first reactant from the first source and a second reactant from the second source to generate an inert gas that is supplied to the fuel tank to fill a ullage space of the fuel tank; and an inert gas recycling system located downstream of the catalytic reactor and upstream of the fuel tank, wherein the inert gas recycling system is arranged to direct a portion of the inert gas to the catalytic reactor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. Method of supplying inert gas to a fuel tank of an aircraft, the method comprising:
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supplying fuel from a fuel tank to a first reactant source; generating a first reactant within the first reactant source; mixing the first reactant with a second reactant supplied from a second reactant source; catalyzing the mixed first reactant and second reactant within a catalytic reactor to generate an inert gas; supplying the inert gas to the fuel tank to fill a ullage space of the fuel tank; and recycling a portion of the inert gas and supplying the recycled portion to the catalytic reactor. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification