US 12,434,906 B2
Pressureless water tank for operation in an aircraft, aircraft section and aircraft having a water tank
Frank Schneider, Hamburg (DE); and Frederik Albers, Ahlerstedt (DE)
Assigned to Airbus Operations GmbH, Hamburg (DE)
Filed by Airbus Operations GmbH, Hamburg (DE)
Filed on Aug. 29, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/239,266.
Claims priority of application No. 22193732 (EP), filed on Sep. 2, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0076120 A1, Mar. 7, 2024
Int. Cl. B65D 88/54 (2006.01); B65D 90/32 (2006.01); F16K 3/03 (2006.01); F16K 17/19 (2006.01)
CPC B65D 90/32 (2013.01) [F16K 3/03 (2013.01); F16K 17/19 (2013.01); F16K 2200/202 (2021.08)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A water tank for an aircraft, the water tank comprising:
a rigid tank shell; and
a pressure compensation mechanism configured to equalize a pressure inside of the rigid tank shell with an environment,
the pressure compensation mechanism comprising a shutoff member in a form of a flap that is pivotable about a hinge that connects the flap to the rigid tank shell, wherein the flap is configured to move between:
a closed position;
a first open position, which allows air to enter the rigid tank shell from the environment; and
a second open position, which allows air to leave the rigid tank shell and flow into the environment;
wherein, when the flap is in the first open position, the flap is opened inwardly, into the rigid tank shell, and, when the flap is in the second open position, the flap is opened outwardly, extending out of the rigid tank shell, such that a direction of movement of the flap from the closed position to the first open position is opposite a direction of movement of the flap from the closed position to the second open position; and
wherein, when the flap is in the first open position, the flap is positioned with a first degree of aperture and, when the flap is in the second open position, the flap is positioned with a second degree of aperture, which is larger than the first degree of aperture.