A fuel system for an aircraft (10). The fuel system comprises: a fuel tank (20); a valve (3); and a valve actuator (1) with a control input (8). The valve actuator (1) is configured to open and close the valve (3) in response to command signals on the control input (8), and the opening of the valve (3) ventilates the fuel tank (20). A control system (5) is coupled to the control input (8) and is configured to generate command signals and apply the command signals to the control input (8). A further aspect of the invention provides a method of ventilating a fuel system of an aircraft (10), the method comprising: assessing a suitability of a location of the aircraft (10) or an environmental condition local to the aircraft (10) for release of fuel vapour (25); and opening the valve (3) on a basis of the assessment. The opening of the valve (3) causes fuel vapour (25) to be released from the fuel tank (20) via the valve (3).
Ventilation of aircraft fuel system
2022-06-15
Patent
Electronic Resource
English