Author: "Kevin Schlosser" <kevinschlosser@...> Time: Fri Aug 10, 2001 7:43 am PDT Link
Fairing sounds like a nice idea, but isn't the vent designed
with the forward facing bevel cut to allow ram air to add some
slight positive pressure to the tanks?
I was twiddling around with an idea last night. I was looking
through the Cole-Parmer catalog. They sell supplies
for chemical engineering. They have a few heat tape products
as well as some other thermal cords and wraps. It wouldn't take
much to make up a little donut shaped heater that can be bonded
to the outside of the vent tube with epoxy. It should provide low
enough heat to prevent freezing, and still be low current so you
don't over burden the electrical system.
I'm sure there are commercial products out there for 'airplane
use', but it seems anything with the word airplane in the product
description seems to double and triple in price. Since our planes
are experimental, it's worth a try.
-=< PropellerHead >=-
----- Original Message -----
From: jayeandscott
Sent: Monday, August 06, 2001 10:28 PM
To: rv-list@m...
Subject: Re: RV-List: Preventing iced up fuel vent
--> RV-List message posted by: "jayeandscott" <jayeandscott@h...>
I had thought of the vent icing back when I was making my wings two
years ago. Decided to make two more of the fairings that cover the
rudder-cable exit holes on the fuselage sides and rivet or epoxy them
in front of the vents. This way, there is no suction being applied
inadvertently to the vent opening and it doesn't matter how much ice
is on the fairing. Found the pattern on Sam Buchanan's website.
Scott in Vancouver
----- Original Message -----
From: Tim Lewis <timrv6a@e...>
To: <rv-list@m...>
Sent: Sunday, August 05, 2001 7:08 AM
Subject: RV-List: Preventing iced up fuel vent
> --> RV-List message posted by: "Tim Lewis" <timrv6a@e...>
>
> Listers,
>
> I was helping an acquaintance prepare for flight test yesterday,
and an interesting question came up: Should an IFR RV have some
provision for fuel tank venting in case an inadvertent encounter with
ice causes the fuel tank vents to ice up.
>
> I think that's worth considering. It's my understanding
that "sharp" surfaces on the aircraft tend to ice up first. I've
observed my little OAT probe accumulate ice much quicker than my wing
does. I suspect my fuel vents were accumulating ice at the same time,
> although I never give it much thought.
>
> Potential solutions:
>
> 1. Drill a small hole from the back side of the vent, angled up,
so that air can enter the back side of the vent if the front side is
plugged with ice.
>
> or
>
> 2. Install a "T" fitting in the vent line just above the vent
(inside the cockpit). From the T, run a line up to a valve within
the pilot's reach. The valve could be opened in case ice blocks the
external fuel vent.
>
> I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.
>
> Tim
> ******
> Tim Lewis -- Fairfax, VA
> RV-6A N47TD - First Flight 18 Dec 99
> http://www.geocities.com/timrv6a
> ******
_-= Subscription: http://www.matronics.com/subscribe
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Author: "Barstad, Are" <abarstad@...> Time: Fri Aug 10, 2001 8:03 am PDT Link
FWIW, I was just flying this morning in our club's IFR equipped 172R. As suggested before on the RV-List the vent is located behind the left strut. It's a large diameter vent – looks like 3/8" or 7/16". I have been reading before that 3/8" is desirable to prevent a drop of frozen water to clog the tube. This tube is located directly behind the strut – approx 1" behind and the cut is straight. Keep in mind that the 172's might also have vented fuel caps.
<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
Kevin's suggestion sounds good. Many commercial aircraft typically also have heated fuel vents.
<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
Are
<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
-----Original Message-----
From: Kevin Schlosser [mailto:kevinschlosser@m...]
Sent: August 10, 2001 10:42 AM
To: vansairforce@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [VAF Mailing List] Icing fuel vents (From RV-List)
<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
Fairing sounds like a nice idea, but isn't the vent designed
with the forward facing bevel cut to allow ram air to add some
slight positive pressure to the tanks?
I was twiddling around with an idea last night. I was looking
through the Cole-Parmer catalog. They sell supplies
for chemical engineering. They have a few heat tape products
as well as some other thermal cords and wraps. It wouldn't take
much to make up a little donut shaped heater that can be bonded
to the outside of the vent tube with epoxy. It should provide low
enough heat to prevent freezing, and still be low current so you
don't over burden the electrical system.
I'm sure there are commercial products out there for 'airplane
use', but it seems anything with the word airplane in the product
description seems to double and triple in price. Since our planes
are experimental, it's worth a try.
-=< PropellerHead >=-
----- Original Message -----
From: jayeandscott
Sent: Monday, August 06, 2001 10:28 PM
To: rv-list@m...
Subject: Re: RV-List: Preventing iced up fuel vent
--> RV-List message posted by: "jayeandscott" <jayeandscott@h...>
I had thought of the vent icing back when I was making my wings two
years ago. Decided to make two more of the fairings that cover the
rudder-cable exit holes on the fuselage sides and rivet or epoxy them
in front of the vents. This way, there is no suction being applied
inadvertently to the vent opening and it doesn't matter how much ice
is on the fairing. Found the pattern on Sam Buchanan's website.
Scott in Vancouver
----- Original Message -----
From: Tim Lewis <timrv6a@e...>
To: <rv-list@m...>
Sent: Sunday, August 05, 2001 7:08 AM
Subject: RV-List: Preventing iced up fuel vent
> --> RV-List message posted by: "Tim Lewis" <timrv6a@e...>
>
> Listers,
>
> I was helping an acquaintance prepare for flight test yesterday,
and an interesting question came up: Should an IFR RV have some
provision for fuel tank venting in case an inadvertent encounter with
ice causes the fuel tank vents to ice up.
>
> I think that's worth considering. It's my understanding
that "sharp" surfaces on the aircraft tend to ice up first. I've
observed my little OAT probe accumulate ice much quicker than my wing
does. I suspect my fuel vents were accumulating ice at the same time,
> although I never give it much thought.
>
> Potential solutions:
>
> 1. Drill a small hole from the back side of the vent, angledup,
so that air can enter the back side of the vent if the front side is
plugged with ice.
>
> or
>
> 2. Install a "T" fitting in the vent line just above the vent
(inside the cockpit). From the T, run a line up to a valve within
the pilot's reach. The valve could be opened in case ice blocks the
external fuel vent.
>
> I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.
>
> Tim
> ******
> Tim Lewis -- Fairfax, VA
> RV-6A N47TD - First Flight 18 Dec 99
> http://www.geocities.com/timrv6a (http://www.geocities.com/timrv6a)
> ******
_-= Subscription: http://www.matronics.com/subscribe (http://www.matronics.com/subscribe)
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