Defueling fitting and method for removing fuel from an aircraft fuel cell
First Claim
1. A defueling fitting for removing fuel from an aircraft fuel cell including one or more flush-mounted fuel drains each having a valve stem that is depressible relative to a smoothly contoured exterior surface surrounding it to thereby release fuel from within the fuel cell, comprising:
- a flange having a surface adapted to overlap and face a fuel drain at the exterior surface of a fuel cell;
inner and outer circumferential seals spaced from one another across the flange surface adapted to surround an overlapped fuel drain;
vacuum outlet means extending through the flange surface at a location positioned between the inner and outer circumferential seals for selectively applying reduced pressure about an area of the surface bounded by the inner and outer circumferential seals for attaching the flange to a complementary exterior surface adjacent to a fuel drain;
one or more liquid passages leading from a location on the flange surrounded by the inner circumferential seal and adapted to carry draining fluid; and
actuator means for selectively depressing the valve stem of a fuel drain while it is overlapped by the flange.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A defueling fitting is adapted to facilitate removal of fuel from an aircraft fuel cell through a flush-mounted fuel drain having a depressable valve stem. It includes a flange with spaced circumferential seals. A vacuum outlet leads between the seals to facilitate attachment of the flange to an exterior aircraft surface surrounding a fuel drain. A separable probe includes a pin actuator for depressing the valve stem of the fuel drain and one or more liquid passages for directing draining fuel through the flange through an attached hose. The method for defueling involves first attaching the flange to the aircraft surface surrounding a fuel drain by application of reduced pressure between the circumferential seals and subsequently depressing the valve stem of the fuel drain to direct fuel through an enclosed liquid passage.
38 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A defueling fitting for removing fuel from an aircraft fuel cell including one or more flush-mounted fuel drains each having a valve stem that is depressible relative to a smoothly contoured exterior surface surrounding it to thereby release fuel from within the fuel cell, comprising:
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a flange having a surface adapted to overlap and face a fuel drain at the exterior surface of a fuel cell; inner and outer circumferential seals spaced from one another across the flange surface adapted to surround an overlapped fuel drain; vacuum outlet means extending through the flange surface at a location positioned between the inner and outer circumferential seals for selectively applying reduced pressure about an area of the surface bounded by the inner and outer circumferential seals for attaching the flange to a complementary exterior surface adjacent to a fuel drain; one or more liquid passages leading from a location on the flange surrounded by the inner circumferential seal and adapted to carry draining fluid; and actuator means for selectively depressing the valve stem of a fuel drain while it is overlapped by the flange. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A defueling fitting for removing fuel from an aircraft fuel cell including one or more flush-mounted fuel drains each having a valve stem that is depressible relative to a smoothly contoured exterior surface surrounding it to thereby release fuel from within the fuel cell, comprising:
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a solid flange having opposed first and second surfaces; inner and outer circumferential seals spaced from one another across the first flange surface and adapted to surround a fuel drain on an aircraft fuel cell while overlapped by the flange; vacuum outlet means on the flange, the vacuum outlet means extending through the first flange surface at a location positioned between the inner and outer circumferential seals for selectively applying reduced pressure about an area of the first flange surface bounded by the inner and outer seals to attach the flange to a complementary exterior surface surrounding a fuel drain; a probe on the flange, the probe and flange including one or more liquid passages leading from a location surrounded by the inner circumferential seal; and an actuator adapted to selectively depress the valve stem of a fuel drain on an aircraft fuel cell overlapped by the flange. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A defueling fitting for removing fuel from an aircraft fuel cell including one or more flush-mounted fuel drains each having a valve stem that is depressible relative to a smoothly contoured exterior surface surrounding it to thereby release fuel from within the fuel cell, comprising:
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a solid flange having opposed first and second surfaces; a pair of concentric seals spaced from one another across the first flange surface and adapted to surround a fuel drain on an aircraft fuel cell, the pair of concentric seals being centered about an axis that intersects the flange; an aperture formed through the flange at a location positioned inwardly of both seals in the pair of concentric seals; a vacuum outlet extending through the first flange surface at a location positioned between the pair of concentric seals for selectively applying reduced pressure about an area of the first flange surface bounded by the pair of concentric seals to attach the flange to a complementary exterior surface surrounding a fuel drain; a probe sealed within the aperture of the flange, the probe including at least one axial liquid passage leading through it; and an actuator adapted to selectively depress the valve stem of a fuel drain on an aircraft fuel cell while the probe is surrounded by the flange. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A defueling fitting for removing fuel from an aircraft fuel cell including one or more flush-mounted fuel drains each having a valve stem that is depressible relative to a smoothly contoured exterior surface surrounding it to thereby release fuel from within the fuel cell, comprising:
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a solid flange having a circular rim bounding opposed first and second surfaces; a pair of concentric circular seals centered about an axis central to the rim, the pair of seals being spaced from one another across the first flange surface; a vacuum outlet extending through the flange to a location positioned between the pair of seals for selectively applying reduced pressure adjacent to the area of the first flange surface that is bounded by the pair of seals; a central aperture extending through the flange and centered on the axis, the aperture being formed inwardly of the pair of seals; a complementary probe sealed within the central aperture of the flange, the probe including at least one liquid passage leading axially through it; and an actuator adapted to selectively depress a fuel drain on an aircraft fuel cell while the probe is surrounded by the flange. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A method for removing fuel from an aircraft fuel cell including one or more flush-mounted fuel drains each having a valve stem that is depressible relative to a smoothly contoured exterior surface surrounding it to thereby release fuel from within the fuel cell, the method comprising the following steps:
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attaching a solid flange to an exterior surface in a position overlapping a fuel drain by application of reduced pressure about a first surface area of the flange bounded by inner and outer circumferential seals spaced from one another and surrounding the fuel drain; and depressing the valve stem of the overlapped fuel drain to direct fuel from within the fuel cell through a liquid passage extending through the flange. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. A method for removing fuel from an aircraft fuel cell including one or more flush-mounted fuel drains each having a valve stem that is depressible relative to a smoothly contoured exterior surface surrounding it to thereby release fuel from within the fuel cell, the method comprising the following steps:
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attaching a solid flange to an exterior surface surrounding a fuel drain by application of reduced pressure about a first surface area of the flange bounded by inner and outer circumferential seals spaced from one another and surrounding the fuel drain; and depressing the valve stem of the fuel drain by mounting a separable probe to the flange, the probe having a liquid passage leading from a location surrounded by the inner circumferential seal and an actuator axially engaging the outer end of the valve stem. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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Specification