Kenneth Susko

Bio: Kenneth Susko is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Oxygen tank & Inerting system. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 89 citations.

On-board fuel inerting system

Abstract: An inerting system is disclosed that is adaptable to inert the fuel tank of a vehicle, most typically an aircraft, that includes an oxygen detector to monitor the oxygen partial pressure of the vapors in the ullage (i.e., the overfuel) volume of the tank, a source of an inert gas (e.g., nitrogen) in valved communication with the ullage of the tank, and a detector for sensing the oxygen content in the ullage of the tank and controlling the flow of inert gas to the tillage to maintain that volume with a proportion oxygen that will not support combustion in the event of an ignition source or intrusion of another potentially explosive occurrence within said tank. A specific fiberoptic probe which enables monitoring oxygen content within the tank without introducing a source of electrical current within the tank is also disclosed.

Oxygen/inert gas generator

Abstract: A gas generation method and apparatus, capable of use in an aircraft, generates oxygen with at least one On Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS) (170,180,190) and generates an inert gas with at least one On Board Inert Gas Generating System (OBIGGS) (130,140) and selectively supplies an auxiliary supply of inert gas utilizing a waste gas output of the at least one OBOGS. The inert gas can include nitrogen. An auxiliary source of oxygen can also be provided. Control valves (160,250) can be used to selectively supply the waste gas output of the at least one OBOGS to the atmosphere or to cither of two locations. The oxygen can be used in a passenger compartment (340) of the aircraft and the inert gas use in either a fuel tank (320) or cargo bay (330) of the aircraft.

Increasing the performance of aircraft on-board inert gas generating systems by turbocharging

Abstract: A modular, on-board, inert gas generating system for aircraft is disclosed in which main components such as a heat exchanger, filter, air separation module, and turbocharger are provided in a modular unit sized to provide a variable flow of nitrogen-enriched air to the aircraft spaces to be inerted. For different inert gas requirements, for example in larger aircraft, multiple modular units may be provided without redesigning the basic system. A method for inerting fuel tanks, cargo holds and other void spaces using the modular approach and turbocharged engine bleed air is also disclosed.

Oxygen sensor for aircraft fuel inerting systems

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring oxygen concentrations in fuel tank ullage comprising providing a sensor head comprising an optical cavity, exposing the optical cavity to an ambient gaseous environment of a fuel tank or air separation module, via a laser light source emitting wavelength modulated light through the cavity, and receiving the wavelength modulated light with a detector.

Flow control for on-board inert gas generation system

Abstract: An on-board inert gas generating system (10) includes a flow control valve (28) modulated according to changes in ambient conditions to minimize changes to oxygen content within a fuel tank (18). The quality of the nitrogen-enriched air stream (16) that is provided by the air separation module (12) varies in response to flow. Higher flow rates through the air separation module (12) removes less oxygen relative to lower flow rates. The amount of flow through the air separation module that produces the least amount of oxygen within the fuel tank (18) is determined for an ambient pressure (46) and provided by modulating the flow control valve (28).

Inerting method and apparatus for preventing and extinguishing fires in enclosed spaces

Abstract: Inerting method and apparatus reduce the risk of and extinguish fires in an enclosed space. The method provides that the oxygen content in the space is reduced to a set base inerting level and, in the event of a fire, is quickly further reduced to a complete inerting level. For carrying out the method, the apparatus includes an oxygen measuring device for the enclosed space, with a first system for producing the oxygen-expulsion gas or for extracting oxygen from the enclosed space, with a second system for rapidly feeding an oxygen-expulsion gas into the space being monitored, and with a fire detection device for detecting a fire characteristic in the enclosed space. A control unit sends a base inerting signal to the first system in accordance with the oxygen content in the enclosed space, and sends a complete inerting signal to the second system in accordance with a detection signal from the fire detection device.