Fuel Containment System
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorMichael A. Lawyer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fuel containment system for an aircraft is provided. The fuel containment system comprises an upper fuel barrier under a cabin floor, an aft wheel well bulkhead, an aft fuel barrier opposite the aft wheel well bulkhead, a lower fuel barrier associated with a cargo floor, and a lower fuselage skin panel. A fuel tank is created by the upper fuel barrier, the aft wheel well bulkhead, the aft fuel barrier, the lower fuel barrier, and the lower fuselage skin. The fuel tank is integrated into the aircraft and existing structural components are sealed to prevent fuel from leaking out of the integrated fuel tank.
Claims20
A fuel containment system comprising:
- an upper fuel barrier located below a cabin floor and configured to prevent fuel from contacting the cabin floor;
- an aft wheel well bulkhead;
- an aft fuel barrier opposite the aft wheel well bulkhead;
- a lower fuel barrier associated with a cargo floor;
- and
- a lower fuselage skin panel.
A method for containing fuel in an aircraft, the method comprising:
- sealing a cargo floor to create a lower fuel barrier;
- installing an upper fuel barrier below a cabin floor;
- sealing an aft wheel well bulkhead;
- installing an aft fuel barrier in a cargo bay;
- and
- storing the fuel in a fuel tank created by the upper fuel barrier, the aft wheel well bulkhead, the aft fuel barrier opposite the aft wheel well bulkhead, and a lower fuselage skin panel.
A fuel containment system comprising:
- an upper fuel barrier below a cabin floor;
- an aft wheel well bulkhead;
- an aft fuel barrier opposite the aft wheel well bulkhead;
- and
- a lower fuselage skin panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.