HYDRAULIC FUEL PUMP APPARATUS FOR A FUEL DELIVERY CHASSIS, SUITABLE FOR REFUELING AIRCRAFT, AND RELATED DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS

摘要

Embodiments include a modular fuel pump apparatus for an aircraft refueling chassis and related devices, systems and methods. In one exemplary embodiment, a pump module includes a hydraulic motor driven by a hydraulic pump connected to a chassis motor. A chassis engine is operated at a substantially constant RPM, which causes the hydraulic pump to output hydraulic fluid to the pump module at a substantially constant hydraulic pressure. The speed of the hydraulic motor can be varied by a proportional flow control valve disposed between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor, thereby varying the speed of the fuel pump and the flow rate of the fuel. A controller is configured to operate the pressure control valve such that the flow of the fuel is maintained at a predetermined flow rate.

主权项

1. A pump module for a fuel delivery chassis, comprising:
a fuel pump configured to pump fuel from a fuel storage receptacle to at least one fuel delivery hose assembly; a hydraulic flow control valve configured to receive hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic pump, the hydraulic pump being configured to pump hydraulic fluid at a substantially constant rate such that at least a portion of the hydraulic fluid passes through the hydraulic flow control valve to drive the fuel pump, thereby pumping fuel to the at least one fuel delivery hose assembly; and a controller configured to maintain a flow rate of fuel from the at least one fuel delivery hose assembly within at least one predetermined flow rate range by being configured to:
determine a predetermined flow rate range of the at least one predetermined flow rate range;determine whether the flow rate of fuel is outside the predetermined flow rate range; andcontrol the hydraulic flow control valve to adjust the flow rate of hydraulic fluid such that the flow rate of fuel is adjusted toward the predetermined flow rate range if the flow rate of fuel is outside the predetermined flow rate range.