Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation

Earl Jean LaVallee, Iii

Eric Surawski

Beakal T Woldemariam

Xiaohong Liao

Erin G Kline

Brian R Shea

Gregory R Leaper

Fuel tank inerting systems are described. The systems include a fuel tank having an inerting system flow path connected to the fuel tank. A catalytic reactor is arranged along the inerting system flow path configured to receive a reactant mixture of first reactant and a second reactant to generate inert gas. A condenser heat exchanger is arranged between the catalytic reactor and the fuel tank to cool an output from the catalytic reactor. A first ejector is configured to receive the first reactant and the second reactant and output the reactant mixture through an outlet. A second ejector is configured to receive an inert gas and the second reactant to output a mixture of the second reactant and the inert gas.

Catalytic fuel tank inerting systems

Fuel tank inerting systems are described. The systems include a fuel tank, a catalytic reactor arranged to receive a reactant mixture comprising a first reactant and a second reactant to generate an inert gas to be supplied to the fuel tank to fill an ullage space of the fuel tank, a condenser heat exchanger arranged between the catalytic reactor and the fuel tank and configured to cool an output from the catalytic reactor, and a fan assembly arranged within an inerting system flow path upstream of the catalytic reactor, wherein the fan assembly is arranged within a gas flow having a temperature of at least 185&#xb0; C.

Fuel tank inerting systems and methods for aircraft are described. The systems and methods include controlling of (i) a first reactant control element, (ii) a second reactant control valve, (iii) a ram air control valve, (iv) a driving mechanism, and (v) a flow control valve, to control a state of a fuel tank inerting system. The states of the fuel tank inerting system include an OFF state, a CIRCULATE state, a PRIME state, a CATWARM state, an ON state, a DEPRESSURIZE state, and a COOLDOWN state, wherein the states are determined in part by a prior state and/or a position/actuation of a given element of the system.

Catalytic fuel tank inerting systems for aircraft

A valve includes a modulating chamber for sending and receiving fluid through a first chamber port, a supply chamber, and a damping chamber for sending and receiving a second fluid through a damping chamber port. The valve also includes a passageway between the damping chamber and the supply chamber, and a piston assembly movable within the valve, wherein the piston assembly is configured to open and close a flow control device. The piston assembly includes a rod, a modulating piston attached to the rod movable within the modulating chamber, a supply piston attached to the rod movable within the supply chamber, and a damping piston attached to the rod movable within the passageway and the supply chamber. The piston assembly also includes a damping piston bypass that provides a restricted flow passage between the supply chamber and the damping chamber when the damping piston is located in the passageway.

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Glastonbury, CT, United States of America

Earl Jean LaVallee, Iii