Portable aircraft fueling system
AssigneeSpokane Industries
InventorJames Kuntz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention involves an aircraft fueling apparatus and associated methods of fueling with features that reduce the risk of fuel spills and other accidents. The present invention more specifically contemplates aircraft fueling methods and apparatus that immobilize a fueler when a fueling nozzle is removed from its holster. Moreover, the apparatus described herein may be easily transported from one place to another and operate safely and effectively without external electrical power.
Claims32
An aircraft fueling apparatus, comprising:
- a chassis having a plurality of wheels, at least one of the plurality of wheels having a brake;
- a fuel tank mounted to the chassis;
- a fuel hose in fluid communication with the fuel tank;
- a nozzle attached to the fuel hose;
- a locking nozzle holder;
- a valve disposed between the fuel tank and the fuel hose;
- a multi-operator mechanically connected to the brake, the locking nozzle holder, and the valve.
An aircraft fueling controller, comprising:
- a first actuator mechanically connected to a brake of an aircraft fueler;
- a second actuator mechanically connected to a locking fuel nozzle holster;
- a mechanical connector disposed between the first and second actuators such that activation of the second actuator activates the first actuator, but activation of the first actuator does not activate the second actuator.
A method of fueling an aircraft, comprising:
- providing a chassis having a plurality of wheels, at least one of the plurality of wheels having a brake;
- providing a fuel tank mounted to the chassis;
- providing a fuel hose in fluid communication with the fuel tank;
- providing a nozzle attached to the fuel hose;
- providing a locking nozzle holder;
- providing a valve disposed between the fuel tank and the fuel hose;
- providing a multi-operator mechanically connected to the brake, the locking nozzle holder, and the valve;
- activating the multi-operator, simultaneously releasing the nozzle from the locking nozzle holder, setting the brake, and opening the valve.
- dispensing fuel to the aircraft.
A method of fueling an aircraft, comprising:
- locking a fuel nozzle in a fuel nozzle holster;
- mechanically unlocking the fuel nozzle from the fuel nozzle holster;
- mechanically setting a brake automatically with the mechanically unlocking of the fuel nozzle;
- removing the fuel nozzle from the fuel nozzle holster;
- dispensing fuel to the aircraft via the fuel nozzle.
An aircraft fueling apparatus, comprising:
- a chassis having a plurality of wheels, at least one of the plurality of wheels having a brake;
- a fuel tank mounted to the chassis;
- a fuel hose in fluid communication with the fuel tank;
- a nozzle attached to the fuel hose;
- a locking nozzle holder;
- a valve disposed between the fuel tank and the fuel hose;
- a multi-operator mechanically connected to the brake, the locking nozzle holder, and the valve
- wherein the multi-operator comprises:
- a first lever mechanically connected to the brake;
- a second lever mechanically connected to the locking nozzle holder;
- a third lever mechanically connected to the valve;
- wherein actuation of the second lever automatically actuates the first and second lever, but actuation of the first or third levers does not automatically actuate the second lever.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.