Bulkhead Fitting

#1. Field

#The present disclosure relates generally to fittings and, in particular, to bulkhead fittings. Still more particularly, the present disclosure relates to a bulkhead fitting capable of providing an electrically isolated pathway for transporting fluid across a structural boundary within an aerial platform.

#2. Background

#The novel features believed characteristic of the illustrative embodiments are set forth in the appended claims. The illustrative embodiments, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and features thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is an illustration of a fitting in the form of a block diagram in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

#FIG. 2 is an illustration of an isometric view of a bulkhead fitting attached to a bulkhead in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

#The illustrative embodiments recognize and take into account that it may be desirable to have a bulkhead fitting capable of electrically separating a first fluid line and a second fluid line such that the flow of electrical current between these two fluid lines is reduced to within selected tolerances. Further, the illustrative embodiments recognize and take into account that it may be desirable to have a bulkhead fitting capable of electrically separating a first fluid line and a second fluid line such that the transfer of electrostatic charge between these two fluid lines is reduced to within selected tolerances. Thus, the illustrative embodiments provide an apparatus and method for electrically separating two fluid lines across a structural boundary formed by, for example, a bulkhead.

#Referring now to the figures and, in particular, with reference to FIG. 1, an illustration of a fitting is depicted in the form of a block diagram in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. As depicted, fitting 100 may be used with structure 102. Structure 102 may be any type of structure that forms a structural boundary. In one illustrative example, structure 102 takes the form of bulkhead 104. When structure 102 takes the form of bulkhead 104, fitting 100 may be referred to as bulkhead fitting 106.

#Fitting 100 may be used to connect first fluid line 108 to second fluid line 110 across the structural boundary formed by structure 102. First fluid line 108 has first channel 112 for transporting fluid. Second fluid line 108 has second channel 114 for transporting fluid. The fluid transported by first fluid line 108 and second fluid line 110 may be comprised of any number of liquids and/or gases. The fluid may be, for example, fuel, hydraulic fluid, or some other type of fluid. When the fluid is fuel, first fluid line 108 and second fluid line 110 may be referred to as a first fuel line and a second fuel line, respectively.