Patent ID: 7357149

Claim:
An aircraft fuel outlet manifold comprising: a first duct having a first fuel inlet positioned to draw fuel out of a sump region of a tank, the first duct further having a first fuel outlet that transfers fuel through a first outlet aperture in an end wall of the tank; a first valve assembly operably coupled to the first duct and positioned proximate to the sump region of the tank, wherein the first valve assembly is configured to at least reduce the flow of fuel through the first fuel inlet when fuel in the tank drops to or below a selected level; a second duct spaced apart from the first duct and having a second fuel inlet positioned to draw fuel out of the sump region of the tank, the second duct further having a second fuel outlet spaced apart from the first fuel outlet, wherein the second fuel outlet transfers fuel through a second outlet aperture spaced apart from the first outlet aperture in the end wall of the tank; and a second valve assembly spaced apart from the first valve assembly and operably coupled to the second duct, wherein the second valve assembly is positioned proximate to the sump region of the tank, and wherein the second valve assembly is configured to at least reduce the flow of fuel through the second fuel inlet when fuel in the tank drops to or below the selected level.