Aircraft refuelling/defuelling system
AssigneeAirbus Operations GmbH
InventorsMohammad ASLAM, Nathalie ZAJACZKOWSKI, George OSBORNE
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A refueling connector has an inner pipe section, for example, defining inner region, for conveying cryogenic hydrogen to an aircraft and an outer pipe section, for example, defining outer region, for holding a vacuum to provide thermal insulation to the inner section. Via one or more suitable valves the connector can, when connected to the aircraft, create a vacuum on the aircraft-side or otherwise convey fluid from/to the aircraft, via the outer pipe section.
Claims16
A method of refueling or defueling an aircraft, comprising:
- connecting a pipe to the aircraft via a refuel port of the aircraft, the pipe comprising an inner channel and an outer channel, the outer channel surrounding the inner channel,
- using the outer channel to remove gas from the aircraft, and
- conveying hydrogen to, or from, the aircraft via the inner channel whilst providing thermal insulation for the inner channel by means of a vacuum in the outer channel.
An aircraft refueling connector, comprising:
- an inner pipe section for conveying liquid hydrogen and an outer pipe section for holding a vacuum in a space between the inner pipe section and the outer pipe section,
- the inner pipe section having a first valve arrangement,
- the outer pipe section having a second valve arrangement,
- the aircraft refueling connector having a first configuration whilst connected to an aircraft, for creating a vacuum within a region, separate from and in fluid communication with, the space between the inner pipe section and the outer pipe section, in which first configuration the first valve arrangement is closed and the second valve arrangement is open, and
- the aircraft refuelng connector having a second configuration whilst connected to an aircraft, for conveying liquid hydrogen to or from the aircraft via the connector, in which second configuration the first valve arrangement is open, and the second valve arrangement is closed.
A double walled pipe having an inner conduit surrounded by an outer conduit, wherein
- the inner conduit is configured for conveying cryogenic hydrogen to an aircraft as part of an aircraft refueling process,
- the outer conduit is both
- configured to hold a vacuum, while the inner conduit is conveying cryogenic hydrogen, so that the inner conduit is vacuum insulated, and
- configured to transfer a vacuum to the aircraft as part of the aircraft refueling process.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.