Patent ID: 6547188
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: A62C,B64D,Y02T

Abstract:
A process for inerting an aircraft fuel tank, which comprises:providing an air separation device fluidly connected to a source of air under pressure on board for producing air enriched in inert gas; operating the air separation device during at least a cruising phase of a flight of the aircraft to produce a first fraction of enriched air having a first inert gas content at a first flow rate; admitting said first fraction at said first flow rate into the fuel tank; operating the air separation device during a descent phase of said flight to produce a second fraction of enriched air having a second inert gas content, which is substantially smaller than said first inert gas content; mixing said second fraction with ambient air to obtain a mixture; and admitting said mixture into the fuel tank at a second flow rate, which is substantially greater than said first flow rate.