An aircraft fuel tank assembly 1 comprises a first structure 11 and a second structure 12 coupled with a blind fastener 14 such that the outer surface of the second structure 121 abuts the inner surface of the first structure 112. The second structure comprises an explosion-proof cavity 13. A tail end of the fastener is contained within the cavity, and any outgassing or sparking from the fastener may not ignite the fuel vapour. At least one of the structures may be formed from a composite material that may accumulate static charge. The inner surfaces of the first and second structures may define the bounds of a fuel tank. The first structure may be a skin panel and the second may be a spar. The cavity may be an undercut hole and may contain a filler material. The cavity-surrounding region may be unitary. There may be a plurality of fasteners.
Fuel tank assemblies
2022-11-02
Patent
Electronic Resource
English