AIRCRAFT FUEL TRANSFER PUMP WITH AUXILIARY FUEL LINE SCAVENGE PUMP

摘要

An improved fuel transfer pump (10) is provided for relatively high flow transfer of fuel from one aircraft to another during an inflight refueling procedure, wherein the fuel transfer pump (10) includes a jet-type scavenge pump (12) for evacuating residual fuel from a fuel line (14) or manifold (15). The scavenge pump (12) comprises a venturi element (56) connected along a recirculation conduit (48) through which a small fuel flow is diverted from the high pressure discharge side of the fuel transfer pump (10) for return to the fuel tank (20). The recirculation fuel flow induces a vacuum in a suction throat of the venturi element (56), and this vacuum is coupled by a suction line (58) to evacuate residual fuel from the fuel line (14) or manifold (15) to the fuel tank (20). A flow baffle (62) is mounted along the recirculation conduit (48) downstream from the venturi element (56) to ensure flooding and priming of the scavenge pump (12).