Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Fuel tank for an aircraft
- Patent Title (中): 燃油箱为飞机
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Application No.: US11659520Application Date: 2005-08-02
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Publication No.: US07802753B2Publication Date: 2010-09-28
- Inventor: Franklin George Tichborne , Kim Michael Ley
- Applicant: Franklin George Tichborne , Kim Michael Ley
- Applicant Address: GB Bristol
- Assignee: Airbus UK Limited
- Current Assignee: Airbus UK Limited
- Current Assignee Address: GB Bristol
- Agency: Patterson Thuente Christensen Pedersen, P.A.
- Priority: GB0417473.6 20040805
- International Application: PCT/GB2005/003018 WO 20050802
- International Announcement: WO2006/013346 WO 20060209
- Main IPC: B64D45/02
- IPC: B64D45/02 ; B64D37/32

Abstract:
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 having a ground circuit 19 and including a fuel tank having a fuel probe circuit having its own ground circuit. Multiple discharge paths allow 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 discharge paths all pass via a conductive foam having a relatively high impedance that allow static bleed, but does not significantly increase the risk of currents induced by lightning reaching levels at which an ignition-causing electrical discharge might occur. The foam is securely bonded to both the aircraft ground circuit and the fuel probe ground, the bonds having a large area of surface-to-surface contact.
Public/Granted literature
- US20070187552A1 Fuel tank for an aircraft Public/Granted day:2007-08-16
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