Modeling of fuel transport in pressure-fed systems with flow passage opening devices

Abstract

This study presents a numerical model of a pressure-fed system with flow passage opening devices (FPODs) designed for an air vehicle with a high degree of maneuverability. The FPOD is a mechanical device that connects two separate fuel reservoirs and functions as a valve allowing liquid fuel to flow while minimizing the movement of pressurizing gas from upstream fuel tanks into downstream fuel tanks. A reduced-order model for the fuel motion in an annular fuel tank was developed to configure the depth and inclination angle of the free fuel surface on the cross-sectional plane of an annular fuel tank under accelerating conditions during flight. Furthermore, a newly proposed model that reflects the dynamic characteristics of the FPOD is used to determine the fluid type that is transported through the device. A simulation example shows that the full numerical model captures changes of the fuel transport condition over time in a complete pressure-fed system of annular fuel tanks with FPODs subject to acceleration.