# US 10,501,198 B2 · Fuel system breakaway valve reaction bridge and reaction collar > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,501,198 B2 - Document ID: US10501198B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/310,032 - Filed: 2015-05-06 - Published: 2017-09-14 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2014-05-09 - Assignees: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation - Applicants: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation - Inventors: Scott A. Chasen; Robert R. Rogstad; Chris John Biehl - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10501198B2 ## CPC - B64D 37/12: jettisonable - B64D 37/005: {Accessories not provided for in the groups B64D37/02 - B64D37/28} - B64D 37/04: Arrangement thereof in or on aircraft - B64D 37/14: Filling or emptying (transferring fuels to adjust aircraft trim B64C17/10) - F16K 17/40: with a fracturing member, e.g. fracturing diaphragm, glass, fusible joint (valves opening on surplus pressure F16K17/14) - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} ## Abstract A flexible fuel bladder assembly for an aircraft includes a flexible fuel bladder positioned at an airframe and having an opening to allow a flow of fuel into and/or out of the fuel bladder. A breakaway valve is operably connected to the fuel bladder at the opening to control a flow of fuel therethrough. A non-contacting or loose fitting reaction feature is affixed to the airframe and is interactive with the breakaway valve such that movement of the breakaway valve relative to the reaction feature results in breakage of a valve body of the breakaway valve and closure of the breakaway valve to prevent flow of fuel therethrough while also allowing for a second reaction mode to cause breakage of a valve body should the connecting hose be pulled relative to the breakaway valve. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A flexible fuel bladder assembly for an aircraft comprising: a flexible fuel bladder disposed at an airframe and having an opening to allow a flow of fuel into and/or out of the fuel bladder; a breakaway valve operably connected to the fuel bladder at the opening to control a flow of fuel therethrough; and a non-contacting or loose reaction feature affixed to the airframe and interactive with the breakaway valve such that movement of the breakaway valve relative to the reaction feature results in breakage of a valve body of the breakaway valve and closure of the breakaway valve to prevent flow of fuel therethrough, wherein the reaction feature of the airframe interacts with a reaction flange of the breakaway valve to break the valve body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The flexible fuel bladder assembly of claim 1, wherein the reaction feature is a bridge spanning the opening, the bridge including a bridge opening through which the breakaway valve at least partially extends. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The flexible fuel bladder assembly of claim 2, further comprising a first reaction flange disposed at a first surface of the reaction bridge and a second reaction flange disposed at a second surface of the reaction bridge opposite the first surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The flexible fuel bladder assembly of claim 1, wherein the reaction feature is a reaction collar affixed to the airframe at the opening. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The flexible fuel bladder of claim 4, wherein a reaction flange has a flange outer diameter greater than a collar outer diameter. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The flexible fuel bladder of claim 4, further comprising a cup affixed to the fuel bladder and secured to the airframe at a first airframe surface, the reaction collar secured to the airframe at a second airframe surface opposite the first airframe surface, the valve body secured to the cup. ### Claim 7 An aircraft comprising: an airframe; an engine disposed at the airframe; a flexible fuel bladder disposed at the airframe and in flow communication with the engine, having an opening to allow a flow of fuel into and/or out of the flexible fuel bladder; and a fuel line disposed at the opening; a breakaway valve operably connecting the fuel bladder to the fuel line at the opening to control a flow of fuel therethrough; and a non-contacting or loose fitting reaction feature affixed to the airframe and interactive with the breakaway valve such that movement of the breakaway valve relative to the reaction feature results in breakage of a valve body of the breakaway valve and closure of the breakaway valve to prevent flow of fuel therethrough as well as to also allow the fuel line to act directly on the breakaway valve if it should be pulled upon, wherein the reaction feature of the airframe interacts with a reaction flange of the breakaway valve to break the valve body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The aircraft of claim 7, wherein the opening is one of a fuel fill opening or a fuel feed opening. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The aircraft of claim 7, wherein the reaction feature is a bridge spanning the opening, the bridge including a non-contacting or loose fitting bridge opening through which the breakaway valve at least partially extends. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The aircraft of claim 9, further comprising a first reaction flange disposed at a first surface of the reaction bridge and a second reaction flange disposed at a second surface of the reaction bridge opposite the first surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The aircraft of claim 7, wherein the reaction feature is a reaction collar affixed to the airframe at the opening. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The aircraft of claim 11, wherein a reaction flange has a flange outer diameter greater than a collar outer diameter. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The aircraft of claim 11, further comprising a cup affixed to the fuel bladder and secured to the airframe at a first airframe surface, the reaction collar secured to the airframe at a second airframe surface opposite the first airframe surface, the valve body secured to the cup.