US-12623790-B2 - Aircraft access cover

Abstract

A cover for covering an access port of a fuel storage structure of an aircraft, the access port is configured to allow a human operator to access an interior of a first container of the fuel storage structure. The cover comprises an inlet port configured to interface with and receive fuel from an aircraft refueling apparatus, and an outlet port fluidically connectable to the inlet port and operable to provide the fuel received at the inlet port to the interior of the first container when the cover is arranged to cover the access port.

Inventors

• Henry Edwards

Assignees

• AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20240507

Priority Date

20230526

Claims (18)

1. 1 . A cover for covering an access port of a fuel storage structure of an aircraft, the access port being configured to allow a human operator to access an interior of a first container of the fuel storage structure, the cover comprising: an inlet port configured to interface with and receive fuel from an aircraft refueling apparatus, an outlet port fluidically connectable to the inlet port and operable to provide the fuel received at the inlet port to the interior of the first container when the cover is arranged to cover the access port, and a second container, wherein: the cover and the second container are configured to be coupled to each other, the second container is configured to be inserted through the access port such that, when the cover is arranged to cover the access port, the second container is housed within the first container, the outlet port is fluidically connectable to the second container, the first container is configured to store a first type of fuel and the second container is configured to store a second type of fuel, and the inlet port is configured to receive the second type of fuel from the aircraft refueling apparatus such that the outlet port provides the second type of fuel to the second container.
2. 2 . The cover according to claim 1 , wherein the cover is configured to form a portion of an internal wall of the second container.
3. 3 . The cover according to claim 1 , wherein the cover is configured to be coupled to the second container by a pipe which fluidically connects the outlet port to the second container.
4. 4 . The cover according to claim 1 , wherein the second container has a variable volume.
5. 5 . The cover according to claim 4 , wherein the second container is configured to be arranged in a collapsed state in which the second container is inserted through the access port.
6. 6 . The cover according to claim 1 , wherein the second container is at least one of: a bladder, and formed of reinforced fluorosilicone.
7. 7 . The cover according to claim 1 , wherein the second container comprises a fuel release apparatus configured to release the second type of fuel from the second container into the first container.
8. 8 . The cover according to claim 7 , wherein the fuel release apparatus comprises a valve configured to release the second type of fuel from the second container into the first container.
9. 9 . The cover according to claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a first panel and a second panel that are configured to be attached to each other such that a surface of the aircraft fuel storage structure is clamped between the first panel and the second panel when the first panel and the second panel are attached to each other.
10. 10 . The cover according to claim 9 , wherein the first panel comprises the inlet port and the outlet port, and the second panel comprises an opening configured to receive the outlet port.
11. 11 . The cover according to claim 9 , wherein the first panel comprises the inlet port and the second panel comprises the outlet port.
12. 12 . The cover according to claim 1 , wherein the inlet port and the outlet port are further configured to release fluid from within the fuel storage structure to outside the fuel storage structure, the fluid comprising at least one of aviation fuel, aviation fuel vapor, or air.
13. 13 . An aircraft comprising: the cover of claim 1 .
14. 14 . An aircraft fuel storage structure comprising: a first container comprising an access port configured to allow a human operator to access an interior of the first container, and a cover for covering the access port, the cover comprising: an inlet port configured to interface with and receive fuel from an aircraft refueling apparatus, and an outlet port fluidically connectable to the inlet port and operable to provide the fuel received at the inlet port to the interior of the first container when the cover is arranged to cover the access port, wherein the cover is coupled to a second container configured to be arranged within the first container, the second container being fluidically connectable to the outlet port and being configured to be insertable through the access port such that, when the cover is arranged to cover the access port, the second container is housed within the first container, wherein the first container is configured to store a first type of fuel and the second container is configured to store a second type of fuel.
15. 15 . The aircraft fuel storage structure of claim 14 , further comprising a third container neighboring the first container, wherein the second container is configured to be arranged within the third container when the cover is arranged to cover the access port of the first container.
16. 16 . The aircraft fuel storage structure of claim 14 , wherein the first container is a wing or fuselage fuel tank.
17. 17 . The aircraft fuel storage structure of claim 15 , wherein the first container is a first wing fuel tank occupying a first rib bay and the third container is a second wing fuel tank occupying a second rib bay.
18. 18 . A cover for covering an access port of a fuel storage structure of an aircraft, the access port being configured to allow a human operator to access an interior of a first container of the fuel storage structure, the cover comprising: an inlet port configured to interface with and receive fuel from an aircraft refueling apparatus, and an outlet port fluidically connectable to the inlet port and operable to provide the fuel received at the inlet port to the interior of the first container when the cover is arranged to cover the access port, wherein the cover comprises a first panel and a second panel that are configured to be attached to each other such that a surface of the aircraft fuel storage structure is clamped between the first panel and the second panel when the first panel and the second panel are attached to each other, and wherein either: the first panel comprises the inlet port and the outlet port, and the second panel comprises an opening configured to receive the outlet port, or the first panel comprises the inlet port and the second panel comprises the outlet port.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of Great Britain Patent Application Number 2307967.6 filed on May 26, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by way of reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to access covers for aircraft fuel storage structures, as well as aircraft fuel storage structures comprising such access covers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Currently, refueling of aircraft can be performed by attaching a refueling apparatus to a refueling coupling on the leading edge of an aircraft wing. This refueling coupling provides fuel to a refuel manifold, guiding the fuel to a fuel tank of the aircraft. However, an obstruction external to the aircraft can complicate refueling from this refueling coupling, requiring maneuvering of the aircraft or refueling apparatus. It is therefore desirable to provide alternative or more flexible refueling techniques that simplify the refueling process. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first aspect of the present invention provides a cover for covering an access port of a fuel storage structure of an aircraft. The access port is configured to allow a human operator to access an interior of a first container of the fuel storage structure. The cover comprises an inlet port configured to interface with and receive fuel from an aircraft refueling apparatus, and an outlet port fluidically connectable to the inlet port and operable to provide the fuel received at the inlet to the interior of the first container when the cover is arranged to cover the access port. The cover, comprising such an inlet port and outlet port, thereby provides an alternative refueling point for the aircraft, via which the first container can be refueled by the aircraft refueling apparatus. This can be useful when the location of the aircraft prohibits, limits, or otherwise renders refueling from a primary refueling interface difficult. For example, an obstruction external to the aircraft may complicate refueling from the primary refueling interface. Providing an extra refueling point may also allow the aircraft to be refueled more quickly due to an increased flow of fuel into the aircraft fuel storage. In cases where the aircraft carries different types of fuel, such as a first type of fuel in the first container and a second type of fuel in a second fuel storage container, the inlet port and the outlet port of the cover can allow the first type of fuel to be delivered to the first container while the second type of fuel is provided to the second fuel storage container via, for example, a primary refueling interface. Providing two spatially separate refueling points, such that each type of fuel can be provided to the aircraft fuel storage separately, can reduce the risk of operator errors, for example, during a refueling process. Fuel types such as sustainable aviation fuels may not be compatible with all aircraft systems and hardware if used undiluted, for example. A dedicated refueling port, as provided by the cover, can hence be a means to avoid aircraft on ground delays and improve turnaround time of the aircraft. Optionally, the cover further comprises a second container, wherein the cover and the second container are configured to be couplable to each other. The second container is configured to be insertable through the access port such that, when the cover is arranged to cover the access port, the second container is housed within the first container. In this embodiment, the outlet port is fluidically connectable to the second container. Further, the first container is configured to store a first type of fuel, whereas the second container is configured to store a second type of fuel. The inlet port is configured to receive the second type of fuel from the aircraft refueling apparatus such that the outlet port provides the second type of fuel to the second container. The cover, comprising such a second container, can thereby allow the aircraft to store a first type of fuel and a second type of fuel, as discussed above. This can permit the aircraft to use different fuel types depending on, for example, whether the aircraft is maneuvering on the ground or flying. The first type of fuel can be provided to the aircraft by a separate primary refueling interface, whereas the second type of fuel can be provided to the aircraft by the inlet port of the cover. The cover, comprising such a second container, can thereby function as additional, modular fuel storage for the aircraft. The cover can be used for flights where a second type of fuel is required. For a flight where the second type of fuel is not required, the cover can be replaced with a traditional cover lacking inlet and outlet ports for fuel. By housing the second container within the first container instead of, for example, mounting the second container on the outside of the aircraft as an external fuel storage structure, the second container does not negatively i