Abstract: A shut-off valve includes a float and a negative G control component. The float is configured to occlude a tank outlet at a first fluid level and 1 G and unocclude the tank outlet at a second fluid level and 1 G. The negative G control component is operatively connected to the float to limit fluid, e.g. liquid or gas, communication between a tank outlet and an ejector pump during negative G events. An ecology fuel return system includes a tank, an ejector pump, a float, and a negative G control component, as described above. The tank has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with components of an engine. The ejector pump is in fluid communication with the tank outlet and is configured to pump fuel from the tank to a fuel pump inlet of an engine.

Abstract: An ecology system includes an ecology tank, a check valve, a shutoff valve, and an ejector pump. The check valve is fluidly connected to the ecology tank and is configured to allow flow from the ecology tank. The shutoff valve is fluidly connected to the check valve, and the ejector pump is fluidly connected to the shutoff valve. The ejector pump is configured to draw fuel from the ecology tank when the shutoff valve is in an open configuration.

Abstract: A shut-off valve includes a float and a negative G control component. The float is configured to occlude a tank outlet at a first fluid level and 1 G and unocclude the tank outlet at a second fluid level and 1 G. The negative G control component is operatively connected to the float to limit fluid, e.g. liquid or gas, communication between a tank outlet and an ejector pump during negative G events. An ecology fuel return system includes a tank, an ejector pump, a float, and a negative G control component, as described above. The tank has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with components of an engine. The ejector pump is in fluid communication with the tank outlet and is configured to pump fuel from the tank to a fuel pump inlet of an engine.

Abstract: A bypass valve includes a housing for directing fluid flow through the bypass valve. A disc is positioned within the flow path having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter. The bypass valve further includes at least one strain gauge disposed on the disc. One of the inner and outer perimeters of the disc is fixed to the bypass valve housing and one of the inner and outer perimeter of the disc is free to deflect from the bypass valve housing in response to fluid flow through the bypass valve such that a measurement of deflection of the disc induces strain on the strain gauge.

Abstract: A safety screen assembly includes a shroud sleeve with an upstream end that defines a flow inlet. A spring seat is disposed downstream from the shroud sleeve and includes a flow outlet. A screen spool is operatively disposed between the flow inlet and the flow outlet and includes a tubular body with an inner passage, a screen disposed within the inner passage, and a plurality of bypass passages formed in the tubular body. The tubular body is in sliding engagement with the shroud sleeve in both a first position and a second position, the shroud sleeve closing the plurality of bypass passages from fluid flow when the tubular body is in the first position, and the plurality of bypass passages being open to fluid flow when the tubular body is in the second position. A spring biases the tubular body of the screen spool toward the first position.

Abstract: A method of aircraft fuel distribution includes selecting a longitudinal center of gravity and predicting a rate of change of the center of gravity during flight. Fuel is located in a tail fin tank of a vertical tail fin of the aircraft, and is transferred from the tail fin tank forward at a predetermined transfer rate to counteract the predicted rate of change thereby maintaining the selected center of gravity. An aircraft fuel distribution system includes a center main fuel tank, a tail fin tank and a tail fin fuel pump to pump fuel between the tail fin tank and the center main fuel tank. An electronic controller operates the tail fin fuel pump such that fuel is flowed between the tail fin tank and the center main fuel tank at a predetermined transfer rate to maintain automatically an optimal position of a longitudinal center of gravity of the aircraft.

Abstract: A shut-off valve system includes a tank having an inlet and an outlet with a flow path defined therebetween. A float within the tank occludes the tank outlet at a first fluid level under positive G forces and unoccludes the tank outlet at a second fluid level under positive G forces. A flow restricting orifice and/or a hydraulic fuse is downstream of float and tank outlet to restrict fluid communication between tank outlet and an ejector pump. A method for restricting flow in an ecology fuel return system includes recovering fuel from engine components, communicating the fuel to an inlet of a fuel tank, pumping the fuel from an outlet of fuel tank to an inlet of an engine when a float within tank unoccludes the outlet of the fuel tank, and restricting fluid flow from tank outlet to an ejector pump with a flow restricting orifice and/or a hydraulic fuse.

Abstract: In at least one aspect of this disclosure, a shut off valve for an ecology fuel return system can include an inlet for receiving a fluid, an outlet for effusing the fluid, and a valve member configured to move between an open position such that the valve member allows fluid to effuse from the outlet and a closed position such that the valve member prevents fluid from effusing from the outlet. The valve member can include a pressure deflector configured to prevent fluid flow from biasing the valve member toward the closed position.

Abstract: A shut-off valve includes a float and a negative G control component. The float is configured to occlude a tank outlet at a first fluid level and 1 G and unocclude the tank outlet at a second fluid level and 1 G. The negative G control component is operatively connected to the float to limit fluid, e.g. liquid or gas, communication between a tank outlet and an ejector pump during negative G events. An ecology fuel return system includes a tank, an ejector pump, a float, and a negative G control component, as described above. The tank has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with components of an engine. The ejector pump is in fluid communication with the tank outlet and is configured to pump fuel from the tank to a fuel pump inlet of an engine.

Abstract: A safety screen assembly includes a shroud sleeve with an upstream end that defines a flow inlet. A spring seat is disposed downstream from the shroud sleeve and includes a flow outlet. A screen spool is operatively disposed between the flow inlet and the flow outlet and includes a tubular body with an inner passage, a screen disposed within the inner passage, and a plurality of bypass passages formed in the tubular body. The tubular body is in sliding engagement with the shroud sleeve in both a first position and a second position, the shroud sleeve closing the plurality of bypass passages from fluid flow when the tubular body is in the first position, and the plurality of bypass passages being open to fluid flow when the tubular body is in the second position. A spring biases the tubular body of the screen spool toward the first position.

Abstract: A milking apparatus that is used to extract milk from dairy animals includes a vacuum source, a milking liner cooperating with a shell to define a pulsation chamber; and a pulsator in fluid communication with the pulsation chamber and the vacuum source. The pulsator is configured to produce at least a four-phase milking cycle in the milking liner with the cycle including at least an A phase and a C phase. The A phase is wherein the liner is changed from a closed configuration to an open configuration during which the pulsator provides fluid communication between the pulsation chamber and the vacuum source. The C phase is wherein the liner is changed from an open configuration to a closed configuration during which the pulsator allows atmospheric air to flow into the pulsation chamber. A restrictor is disposed in the path of the fluid communication between the pulsator and the pulsation chamber with the restrictor slowing the C phase compared to the A phase.

Abstract: A milking apparatus that is used to extract milk from dairy animals includes a vacuum source, a milking liner cooperating with a shell to define a pulsation chamber; and a pulsator in fluid communication with the pulsation chamber and the vacuum source. The pulsator is configured to produce at least a four-phase milking cycle in the milking liner with the cycle including at least an A phase and a C phase. The A phase is wherein the liner is changed from a closed configuration to an open configuration during which the pulsator provides fluid communication between the pulsation chamber and the vacuum source. The C phase is wherein the liner is changed from an open configuration to a closed configuration during which the pulsator allows atmospheric air to flow into the pulsation chamber. A restrictor is disposed in the path of the fluid communication between the pulsator and the pulsation chamber with the restrictor slowing the C phase compared to the A phase.