Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Fuel System (was: rotary
risks. MTBE and the gospel)
Ian,
I'm not flying my own plane yet (nor
soon). However, I
borrowed the basis of my system from Marc & Nadine
Parmalee.
http://www.marcnadine.com/fuelvalve.html
Attached is a block diagram of my
implementation. The
low pressure (debris) filter and fuel pump are below
the
strake (& therefore lower than all of the fuel
when in level
flight).
Dale;
I was just looking
at your fuel system, and had the following comments. A filter finer than
a screen door screen upstream from the pump allows the potential for
restricted flow to the pump, increasing the possibility of vapor lock.
Also, why 1/4"
line on the feed side and 3/8" on the return from the fuel rail. The
fuel returning will always be less than that going to the rail. It may
not matter downstream from the pump, but all you have is some gravity from the
strake to the pump, and you’d not want flow restriction there. I think a
bigger line there is important.
Why the two ball
valves? With valves in the system, I’d want both normally open. Do
you want to rely on remote operation of those valves? One valve
downstream from the pump for maintenance or emergency shutdown, safety tied
(breakable) open is something to consider.
I assume the sump
drains are at the lowest point of the tanks; and that exit from the tank is
such that there can be a bit of residual water/debris in the tank that does
not get into the feed line.
Just some
thoughts.
Al