Patent ID: 9090356
Filing Date: 2015-07-28
Classification: B64D

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling the formation of flammable vapors in an aircraft main fuel tank located in whole or in part in the fuselage contour wherein each wing includes a main fuel tank, a wing tank outboard of the main fuel tank and a collector tank disposed within the main fuel tank that is in fluid communication with the wing tank; the method comprising: (a) initially consuming fuel in the main tank until the fuel quantity has reached a predetermined reserve level; (b) sensing that the fuel has reached the predetermined level; (c) initiating the operation of at least one valve to transfer fuel from the wing tank to the collector tank thereby maintaining the predetermined level of fuel in the main tank; (d) the collector tank including at least one flow limiter to deter the escape of fuel into the main tank; and (e) maintaining the reserve fuel in the main tank at the predetermined level throughout the remaining mission of the aircraft.