David T Redman

US Patent:

42587387, Mar 31, 1981

Filed:

Apr 9, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/028040

Inventors:

David T. Redman - Trumbull CT
George J. Paulis - Trumbull CT

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army - Washington DC

International Classification:

F16K 1304

US Classification:

137 68

Abstract:

A crashworthy fuel system for aircraft or the like comprising a fuel tank d a valve for securement to the bottom of the tank. The valve comprises a generally L-shaped body having a first leg and a second leg extending generally at right angles to the first leg. A main flow passage extends through the entire length of the body. The first leg has a peripheral flange spaced from its outer end which is secured in face-to-face relation to the bottom of the tank with the outer end of the first leg extending up through a hole in the bottom of the tank into the interior of the tank for flow of fuel into the main flow passage and the second leg extending below the tank on the outside thereof for connection at its outer end to a fuel delivery line. The first leg has a circumferential area of weakness adjacent the flange between the flange and the second leg. A valve is provided in the main flow passage between this area of weakness and the inlet end of the main flow passage for sealing the main flow passage in the event of rupture of the valve body at the area of weakness, as during a crash of the aircraft.