Aircraft fuel system
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An aircraft fuel system allows the crew to
Fuel is piped through fuel lines to a fuel
Typically, after the selector valve—situated at a low point in the fuel run—there is a gascolator — a fuel filter that can be opened on the ground and drained of fuel impurities denser than petroleum, mainly water and sediment. Other drainage points are in each tank (often more than one contaminant collection sump per tank) and at the injection pump.
Each tank is vented (or pressurised) to allow air into the tank to take the place of burned fuel; otherwise, the tank would be in negative pressure which would result in engine fuel starvation. A vent also allows for changes in atmospheric pressure and temperature.
Single-engine aircraft gasoline fuel system
The fuel level indication system in the simplest form is a transparent window on the tank side and in its usual application a float-driven
Some single-engine aircraft use
Recent advances in
Single-engine light aircraft fuel tanks are usually in the wings, but some aircraft have a small "header tank" between the normal fuel tank and the engine, to facilitate reliable fuel flow to the engine. On many small or very old single-engine header tanks (and even main tanks) are often mounted above and/or immediately behind the engine. A few (particularly
Multi-engine aircraft fuel system
Adding tanks and engines increases the complexity of the fuel system and its management. Additional features found in multi-engine aircraft are:
- Each wing tank often has its own electric boost fuel pump, and each engine has its own mechanical pump, replicating the fuel system described above for the single engine.
- In case of single-engine operation, there is often a method incorporated to "cross-feed" the engine (left tank feeding right engine, or vice versa).
- To balance asymmetric weight, flow valves and pumps often are used to feed both engines from one tank or simply to transfer fuel between tanks.
Turbine fuel system
All of the considerations made for the twin piston are applicable to turbine fuel systems. Additional consideration apply because of the higher altitudes, different fuel, lower temperatures, and longer flights.
To avoid water condensation or the fuel itself solidifying at low temperatures (-55 °C), fuel tanks have thermometers and heating systems. Many are pressurized with engine bleed air to keep moist air out and ensure positive pressure feed to the pumps. In larger aircraft, fuel tanks also are in the fuselage and their load affects the
The refueling system of larger aircraft includes a single positive pressure refueling point from which all tanks can be fueled. How much and to which tanks fuel is fed during refueling operations is determined by the controls in the refueling panel, usually installed nearby and accessible to ground crews.
External tanks
External tanks are used to extend the range of an aircraft. Drop tanks are used by combat aircraft that need to discard them after use for performance reasons. A fuel pump is required to transfer fuel from a tip tank to a main tank.
See also
References
Notes
- ^ Taylor 1990, p. 164.
- ^ VanWest, Jeff: "Legacy LSAs Choices: Champ Still a Winner: ...$20,000 airplanes worth buying," July 12, 2012 Updated: October 29, 2019, Aviation Consumer
- ^ "Super Cub PA-18: 150 HP: For 1974 and later," ca.1974, Piper Aircraft Corporation, scanned copy at Supercub.org, retrieved September 22, 2022
- AOPA Pilot, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, retrieved September 23, 2022
- ^ Barnes, Sparky: "A Delightful Aeronca Anomaly: The stick-controlled Chief," May/June 2016, Vintage Airplane magazine, Experimental Aircraft Association, retrieved September 23, 2022
- ^ "Flight Review: CGS Hawk Arrow," December 2010 Kitplanes, retrieved September 23, 2022
Bibliography
- Taylor, John W.R. The Lore of Flight, London: Universal Books Ltd., 1990. ISBN 0-9509620-1-5.