Patent ID: 8205597
Filing Date: 2012-06-26
Classification: F02C,F05D

Abstract:
1. A supply device for supplying fuel to an aircraft engine, the device comprising: a regulator circuit for regulating a fuel flow rate, the regulator circuit comprising a fuel flow rate measurement device, a controlled variable-restriction valve, and a control system configured to control the valve as a function of a setpoint value for the flow rate of fuel to be supplied to the engine; a centrifugal pump driven by mechanical coupling with the engine, having a low pressure inlet receiving fuel from a fuel tank of the aircraft and a high pressure outlet in fluid communication with the fuel flow rate regulator circuit; and an electrically controlled assistance pump unit having an inlet in fluid communication with the fuel tank of the aircraft and an outlet in fluid communication with the flow rate regulator circuit, to deliver at its outlet fuel at a predetermined minimum pressure, the pressure of the fuel supplied to the regulator circuit being greater of the pressures delivered in parallel by the centrifugal pump and by the assistance pump unit, in which the assistance pump unit comprises a positive-displacement pump and a pressure release valve having a first inlet receiving fuel from the outlet of the positive-displacement pump, a second inlet and receiving fuel from the fuel tank of the aircraft via a fuel supply path that does not pass through either of the centrifugal pump and the positive-displacement pump, and an outlet supplying fuel to the inlet of the positive-displacement pump, the pressure release valve putting its first inlet into communication with its outlet when the pressure difference between its first inlet and its second inlet exceeds a predetermined threshold to recirculate all the fuel received at its first inlet to the inlet of the positive-displacement pump; wherein the high pressure outlet of the centrifugal pump supplies fuel to a junction having a first supply path and a second supply path, the first supply path supplying fuel to the inlet of the positive-displacement pump via a fuel supply path that does not pass through the pressure release valve, the second supply path bypassing the positive-displacement pump and supplying fuel to the regulator circuit.