US 12,600,472 B2 · Seaplane with attachable float frame comprising auxiliary fuel tanks

Abstract

A seaplane float frame apparatus with extra fuel storage, and a method of installing, comprising: 1) a middle section housing at least one auxiliary fuel storage tank; and 2) two opposing side panels affixed to the middle section, extending outward from about 45-60-degrees from the parallel, each of the two opposing side panels comprising a bottom flat edge fit-able to a float (e.g., carbon composite). The middle section further comprises a fuel pump and a fuel line attached to the auxiliary fuel storage tank(s) and to a main fuel tank within an airplane fuselage-engine. Electrical components enable the pilot, or automatedly as needed, to pump fuel from the frame's tanks. The two opposing side panels comprise triangular shaped cutouts to reduce the float frame's weight and drag, and a built-in steps, a bar, and non-skid coating on the floats to assist in climbing safely into/out of the cockpit.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A float frame configured to operably couple two floats to an underside of a fuselage of a seaplane for enabling water landing and takeoff maneuvers, the float frame comprising:

a central frame section configured to operably couple to the underside of the seaplane fuselage, the central frame section having a first lateral edge portion and a second lateral edge portion opposite the first lateral edge portion;
at least one auxiliary fuel storage tank contained within the central frame section and positioned laterally between the first and second lateral edge portions;
and
a first side frame panel extending outwardly from the first lateral edge portion and a second side frame panel extending outwardly from the second lateral edge portion, the first and second side frame panels angled downward from a horizontal plane extending through the first and second lateral edge portions, wherein each of the first and second side frame panels have an end portion positioned opposite the respective first and second lateral edge portions of the central frame section, wherein each of the end portions of the first and second side frame panels is configured to couple one of the two floats to the float frame,
wherein the at least one auxiliary fuel storage tank is configured to provide fuel to the seaplane in flight.

2 more elements

A seaplane float system configured to operably couple to an underside of a fuselage of a seaplane for enabling water landing and takeoff maneuvers, the seaplane float system comprising:

a float frame, comprising:
a central frame section configured to operably couple to the underside of the seaplane fuselage, the central frame section having a first lateral edge portion and a second lateral edge portion opposite the first lateral edge portion;
at least one auxiliary fuel storage tank contained within the central frame section and positioned laterally between the first and second lateral edge portions;
and
first and second side frame panels extending outwardly from the first and second lateral edge portions, respectively, of the central frame section, the first and second side frame panels angled downward from a horizontal plane extending through the first and second lateral edge portions;
a first float coupled to an end portion of the first side frame panel positioned opposite the first lateral edge portion of the central frame section;
and
a second float coupled to an end portion of the second side frame panel positioned opposite the second lateral edge portion of the central frame section,
wherein the at least one auxiliary fuel storage tank is configured to provide fuel to the seaplane in flight.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Seaplane with attachable float frame comprising auxiliary fuel tanks

Life of this patent

Seaplane with attachable float frame comprising auxiliary fuel tanks

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20