Aircraft defueling system

• US 6,860,300 B1
• Filed: 10/21/2003
• Issued: 03/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spokane Stainless Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Spokane Industries
• Inventors: Kuntz, James P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas, Steven O.
• Application Number:
  US10/690,441
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 141/1, 141/7, 141/8, 141/65, 141/231, 141/98, 184/1.5, 184/106, 184/109
• US Class Current: 141/65
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/28 Liquid-handling installations specially adapted for fuelling stationary aircraft

Abstract

An apparatus and method for defueling and aircraft. The apparatus includes a vacuum fuel tank comprising a first vacuum generator, a defueling hose in fluid communication with the vacuum fuel tank, a first defueling fitting attached to the first defueling hose, and a second vacuum generator operatively connected to the first defueling fitting. By providing both a first and a second vacuum generator, the defueling fitting can be attached and detached from an aircraft independent of the suction used to withdraw fuel from an aircraft. According to some embodiments, there may be multiple defueling hoses and additional vacuum generators. Further, some embodiments include a telescoping funnel that can be selectively isolated from the vacuum fuel tank so that the tank can be held at vacuum pressure.

Claims

1. An aircraft defueling apparatus, comprising:

a vacuum fuel tank comprising a first non-manual vacuum generator;

a first defueling hose in fluid communication with the vacuum fuel tank;

a first defueling fitting attached to the first defueling hose;

a second non-manual vacuum generator operatively connected to the first defueling fitting.

2. An aircraft defueling apparatus comprising:

a vacuum fuel tank comprising a first vacuum generator;

a first defueling hose in fluid communication with the vacuum fuel tank;

a first defueling fitting attached to the first defueling hose;

a second vacuum generator operatively connected to the first defueling fitting;

a second defueling hose in fluid communication with the vacuum fuel tank;

a second defueling fitting attached to the second defueling hose;

a third vacuum generator operatively connected to the second defueling fitting.

3. An aircraft defueling apparatus comprising:

a vacuum fuel tank comprising a first vacuum generator;

a first defueling hose in fluid communication with the vacuum fuel tank;

a first defueling fitting attached to the first defueling hose;

a second vacuum generator operatively connected to the first defueling fitting;

a second defueling hose in fluid communication with the vacuum fuel tank;

a second defueling fitting attached to the second defueling hose;

a third vacuum generator operatively connected to the second defueling fitting;

a third defueling hose in fluid communication with the vacuum fuel tank;

a third defueling fitting attached to the third defueling hose, the third defueling fitting operatively connected to the second vacuum generator.

4. An aircraft defueling apparatus comprising:

a vacuum fuel tank comprising a first vacuum generator;

a first defueling hose in fluid communication with the vacuum fuel tank;

a first defueling fitting attached to the first defueling hose;

a second vacuum generator operatively connected to the first defueling fitting;

a second defueling hose in fluid communication with the vacuum fuel tank;

a second defueling fitting attached to the second defueling hose;

a third vacuum generator operatively connected to the second defueling fitting;

a third defueling hose in fluid communication with the vacuum fuel tank;

a third defueling fitting attached to the third defueling hose, the third defueling fitting operatively connected to the second vacuum generator;

a fourth defueling hose in fluid communication with the vacuum fuel tank;

a fourth defueling fitting attached to the fourth defueling hose, the fourth defueling fitting operatively connected to the third vacuum generator.

5. An aircraft defueling apparatus comprising:

a vacuum fuel tank comprising a first vacuum generator;

a first defueling hose in fluid communication with the vacuum fuel tank;

a first defueling fitting attached to the first defueling hose;

a second vacuum generator operatively connected to the first defueling fitting;

a collection chamber disposed at least partially in the vacuum fuel tank;

an angled fuel flow disbursement tube in fluid communication with the collection chamber for preventing fluid freefall of fuel collected in the collection chamber to a bottom portion of the vacuum fuel tank.

6. An aircraft defueling apparatus comprising:

a vacuum fuel tank comprising a first vacuum generator;

a first defueling hose in fluid communication with the vacuum fuel tank;

a first defueling fitting attached to the first defueling hose;

a second vacuum generator operatively connected to the first defueling fitting;

a collection chamber disposed at least partially in the vacuum fuel tank;

a fuel flow disbursement tube angled at least 10 degrees with respect to vertical in fluid communication with the collection chamber for preventing fluid freefall of fuel collected in the collection chamber to a bottom portion of the vacuum fuel tank.

7. An aircraft defueling apparatus comprising

a vacuum fuel tank comprising a first vacuum generator;

a first defueling hose in fluid communication with the vacuum fuel tank;

a first defueling fitting attached to the first defueling hose;

a second vacuum generator operatively connected to the first defueling fitting;

a telescoping funnel attached to and extending at least partially through the vacuum fuel tank.

8. An aircraft defueling apparatus comprising:

a vacuum fuel tank comprising a first vacuum generator;

a first defueling hose in fluid communication with the vacuum fuel tank;

a first defueling fitting attached to the first defueling hose;

a second vacuum generator operatively connected to the first defueling fitting;

a telescoping funnel attached to and extending at least partially through the vacuum fuel tank;

a valve assembly in fluid communication with the telescoping funnel for isolating the telescoping funnel from the vacuum fuel tank.

9. An aircraft defueling apparatus comprising:

a vacuum fuel tank comprising a first vacuum generator;

a first defueling hose in fluid communication with the vacuum fuel tank;

a first defueling fitting attached to the first defueling hose;

a second vacuum generator operatively connected to the first defueling fitting;

a telescoping funnel attached to and extending at least partially through the vacuum fuel tank;

a valve assembly in fluid communication with the telescoping funnel for isolating the telescoping funnel from the vacuum fuel tank;

wherein the valve assembly comprises a first valve for isolating the telescoping funnel from the vacuum fuel tank and a second valve for selectively directing fluid flow from the vacuum fuel tank through a vacuum fuel tank drain port.

10. An aircraft defueling comprising:

a vacuum fuel tank comprising a first vacuum generator;

a first defueling hose in fluid communication with the vacuum fuel tank;

a first defueling fitting attached to the first defueling hose;

a second vacuum generator operatively connected to the first defueling fitting;

a telescoping funnel attached to and extending at least partially through the vacuum fuel tank;

a valve assembly in fluid communication with the telescoping funnel;

wherein the valve assembly comprises;

a first elbow tapped transversely into a base of the telescoping funnel and extending outside of the vacuum fuel tank;

a first valve downstream of the first elbow and outside of the vacuum fuel tank for selectively isolating the telescoping funnel from the vacuum fuel tank and fluidly connecting the telescoping funnel to the vacuum fuel tank;

a second valve downstream of the first valve for selectively draining the vacuum fuel tank.

11. An aircraft defueling apparatus comprising:

a vacuum fuel tank comprising a first vacuum generator;

a first defueling hose in fluid communication with the vacuum fuel tank;

a first defueling fitting attached to the first defueling hose;

a second vacuum generator operatively connected to the first defueling fitting;

a telescoping funnel attached to and extending at least partially through the vacuum fuel tank;

a valve assembly in fluid communication with the telescoping funnel;

wherein the valve assembly comprises;

a first elbow tapped transversely into a base of the telescoping funnel and extending outside of the vacuum fuel tank;

a first valve downstream of the first elbow and outside of the vacuum fuel tank for selectively isolating the telescoping funnel from the vacuum fuel tank and fluidly connecting the telescoping funnel to the vacuum fuel tank;

a second valve downstream of the first valve for selectively draining the vacuum fuel tank;

a return fitting downstream of the first valve extending into the vacuum fuel tank and fluidly connecting the first and second valves to the vacuum fuel tank.

12. A mobile fuel bowser, comprising:

a holding tank;

a vacuum generator integral with and at least partially inserted into the holding tank, the vacuum generator, when operated, placing the holding tank in vacuum;

one or more hoses in fluid communication with the holding tank a defueling fitting attached to each of the one of the one or more hoses, the defueling fitting comprising a suction cup.

13. A mobile fuel bowser according to claim 12, further comprising:

vacuum line extending between the suction cup and the vacuum generator for providing suction to the suction cup.

14. A mobile fuel bowser according to claim 12, further comprising:

a vacuum line extending between the suction cup and the vacuum generator for providing suction to the suction cup;

wherein the suction cup comprises;

a rigid plate with a drain port attached to one of the one or more hoses;

a second hole in the rigid plate attached to the vacuum line;

wherein the drain hole and the second hole are isolated from one another by one or more seals.

15. A mobile fuel bowser according to claim 12 further comprising at least two vacuum generators at least partially inserted into the holding tank.

16. A mobile fuel bowser according to claim 12, further comprising:

a vacuum line extending between the suction cup and the vacuum generator for providing suction to the suction cup;

at least one additional vacuum generator, wherein one of the vacuum generators is operatively connected to the one or more hoses via the holding tank, and another of the vacuum generators is operatively connected to the suction cup via the vacuum line.

17. A mobile fuel bowser comprising:

a holding tank;

a vacuum assembly integral with and at least inserted into the holding tank, the vacuum assembly, when operated placing the holding tank in vacuum;

one or more hoses in fluid communication with the holding tank;

at least two hoses;

a defueling fitting attached to each of the at least two hoses, the defueling fitting comprising a suction cup;

a first vacuum line extending between the suction cup of a first of the at least two hoses and a second vacuum line extending between the suction cup of a second of the at least two hoses and the vacuum assembly for providing suction to the suction cup;

wherein the vacuum assembly comprises at least three vacuum generators, wherein a first of the at least three vacuum generators is operatively connected to the at least two hoses via the holding tank, a second of the at least three vacuum generators is operatively connected to the suction cup of the first of the at least two hoses via the first vacuum line, and a third of the at least three vacuum generators is operatively connected to the suction cup of the second of the at least two hoses via the second vacuum line.

18. A mobile fuel bowser comprising:

a holding tank;

a vacuum assembly integral with and at least partially inserted into the holding tank, the vacuum assembly, when operated, placing the holding tank in vacuum;

one or more hoses in fluid communication with the holding tank;

a telescoping funnel attached to and extending at least partially through the holding tank;

a valve assembly in fluid communication with the telescoping funnel for selectively fluidly isolating the telescoping funnel from the holding tank to maintain the vacuum in the holding tank.

19. A defueling apparatus, comprising:

a holding tank;

a first fuel drain hose in fluid communication with the holding tank;

a defueling fitting attached to the first fuel drain hose;

a vacuum line attached to the defueling fitting;

a first vacuum generator operatively connected to the holding tank for placing the holding tank at a lower pressure than atmosphere;

a second vacuum generator operatively connected to the defueling fitting for attaching the defueling fitting to a surface;

a telescoping funnel attached to and extending at least partially through the holding tank;

a valve assembly in fluid communication with the telescoping funnel for selectively isolating the telescoping funnel from the holding tank to maintain the lower pressure in the holding tank.

20. A defueling apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising:

a second fuel drain hose in fluid communication with the holding tank;

a second defueling fitting attached to the second fuel drain hose;

a second vacuum line attached to the defueling fitting;

a third vacuum generator operatively connected to the second defueling fitting via the second vacuum line for hermetically attaching the defueling fitting to a surface.

21. A method of defueling an aircraft, comprising:

providing a vacuum fuel tank, the vacuum fuel tank including a first non-manual vacuum generator;

providing a first defueling hose in fluid communication with the vacuum fuel tank;

providing a first defueling fitting attached to the first defueling hose;

providing a second non-manual vacuum generator operatively connected to the first defueling fitting;

opening an aircraft fuel drain;

directing fuel from the aircraft fuel drain through the first defueling hose and into the vacuum fuel tank.

22. A method of defueling an aircraft according to claim 21, further comprising lowering pressure inside the vacuum fuel tank below atmospheric with the first vacuum generator and applying vacuum suction to the first defueling fitting with the second vacuum generator.

23. A method of defueling an aircraft comprising:

providing a vacuum fuel tank, the vacuum fuel tank including a first vacuum generator;

providing a first defueling hose in fluid communication with the vacuum fuel tank;

providing a first defueling fitting attached to the first defueling hose;

providing a second vacuum generator operatively connected to the first defueling fitting;

opening an aircraft fuel drain;

directing fuel from the aircraft fuel drain through the first defueling hose and into the vacuum fuel tank;

lowering pressure inside the vacuum fuel tank below atmospheric with the first vacuum generator and applying vacuum suction to the first defueling fitting with the second vacuum generator

providing a telescoping funnel attached to and extending at least partially through the vacuum fuel tank;

maintaining lower pressure inside the vacuum fuel tank by fluidly isolating the telescoping funnel from the vacuum fuel tank.

24. A method of defueling an aircraft comprising

providing a vacuum fuel tank, the vacuum fuel tank including a first vacuum generator;

providing a first defueling hose in fluid communication with the vacuum fuel tank;

providing a first defueling fitting attached to the first defueling hose;

providing a second vacuum generator operatively connected to the first defueling fitting;

opening an aircraft fuel drain;

directing fuel from the aircraft fuel drain through the first defueling hose and into the vacuum fuel tank;

providing a second defueling hose in fluid communication with the vacuum fuel tank;

providing a second defueling fitting attached to the second defueling hose;

providing a third vacuum generator operatively connected to the second defueling fitting.

25. A method of defueling an aircraft comprising:

attaching a defueling fitting over an aircraft drain valve with vacuum suction generated by a first non manual vacuum source;

drawing fuel from the aircraft drain valve and through a vacuum hose attached to the defueling fitting;

wherein a vacuum of the vacuum hose is generated by a second non-manual vacuum source.

26. A method of defueling an aircraft according to claim 25, further comprising applying vacuum pressure to a tank connected to the vacuum hose with the second vacuum source.

28. A method of defueling an aircraft according to claim 25, further comprising:

applying vacuum pressure to a tank connected to the vacuum hose with the second vacuum source;

filling the tank with fuel via the vacuum hose without allowing fuel entering the tank to freefall more than 6 inches.

30. A method of defueling an aircraft according to claim 25, further comprising isolating vacuum suction generated by the first vacuum source from vacuum hose pressure with a circumferential seal disposed in the defueling fitting.

27. A method of defueling an aircraft comprising:

attaching a defueling fitting, over an aircraft drain valve with vacuum suction generated by a first vacuum source;

drawing fuel from the aircraft drain valve and through a vacuum hose attached to the defueling fitting;

wherein a vacuum of the vacuum hose is generated by a second vacuum source;

attaching a second defueling fitting over a second aircraft drain valve with vacuum suction generated by a third vacuum source;

drawing fuel from the second aircraft drain valve and through a second vacuum hose attached to the second defueling fitting.

29. A method of defueling an aircraft comprising:

attaching a defueling fitting over an aircraft drain valve with vacuum suction generated by a first vacuum source;

drawing fuel from the aircraft drain valve and through a vacuum hose attached to the defueling fitting;

wherein a vacuum of the vacuum hose is generated by a second vacuum source;

applying vacuum pressure to a tank connected to the vacuum hose with the second vacuum source;

providing a telescoping funnel attached to and extending at least partially through the tank;

maintaining vacuum pressure inside the tank by fluidly isolating the telescoping funnel from the tank.