초록 ▼

Unsafe electric energies can exist in aircraft fuel tanks as a result of static build-up or induced currents from lightning strikes. The invention provides an aircraft fuel tank including two discharge paths for the safe discharge of electricity from the tank before it reaches levels where an arc, s

Unsafe electric energies can exist in aircraft fuel tanks as a result of static build-up or induced currents from lightning strikes. The invention provides an aircraft fuel tank including two discharge paths for the safe discharge of electricity from the tank before it reaches levels where an arc, spark or other electric discharge, able to ignite fuel in the tank, could occur. The failure of both the discharge paths would significantly increase the risk of an ignition causing electrical discharge occurring. The tank thus also includes a circuit for monitoring the integrity of each discharge path. By having at least two discharge paths, should one discharge path fail (which failure being detected by the monitoring circuit, at least one alternative discharge path exists for the safe discharge of electrical energy from the fuel tank, until the failed discharge path is repaired.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A fuel tank for an aircraft, wherein the fuel tank includes in-tank wiring connected to a first discharge path and a second discharge path, said first and second discharge paths being for the safe discharge from within the fuel tank of static electricity or electricity i

The invention claimed is: 1. A fuel tank for an aircraft, wherein the fuel tank includes in-tank wiring connected to a first discharge path and a second discharge path, said first and second discharge paths being for the safe discharge from within the fuel tank of static electricity or electricity induced by environmental conditions to an aircraft electrical ground, and a monitoring circuit for monitoring the integrity of the first and second discharge paths, the monitoring circuit being housed in a conductive enclosure, said conductive enclosure being provided with a conductor for electrical connection to an aircraft electrical ground,the first discharge path extending from a fuel tank circuit ground through a first resistor and being bonded to a first contact point on the conductive enclosure,the second discharge path extending from said fuel tank circuit ground through a second resistor and being bonded to a second contact point on the conductive enclosure,and the first discharge path, the second discharge path and the conductive enclosure form a loop which permits the integrity of the first and second discharge paths to be monitored by the monitoring circuit.