How to post, how to add pics, how to add an attachment, and how to share a YouTube video...


Author Topic: LE and XL Fuel System  (Read 14048 times)

Offline PropMan

  • 2019 Donor
  • *
  • Posts: 366
  • Total likes: 66
  • XL B2
  • OS:
  • Windows NT 10.0 Windows NT 10.0
  • Browser:
  • Chrome 61.0.3163.100 Chrome 61.0.3163.100
    • Performance Propellers USA
  • Eagle Type: LE XL
LE and XL Fuel System
« on: September 25, 2017, 05:19:58 PM »
I'm workin on the fuel system for the XLR an thought i'd share what has been learned so far. Hope those who know better than me jump in and help straighten out any screw ups.
Going to post several pictures of progress.

After reading the plans i decided to build a tank from aluminium, similar to my RV6 wing tank in technique(rivets and pro-seal).
The tank will reside in the left wing, additional support has been added to the upper ribs where the tank will attach. (and to the right -Just In Case(-: )
Plan is to form ribs that have the upper rib shape and the top of the tank will be upper wing skin in that area.
I first read what was available on experimental fuel systems , then sketched out what i thought would work for My installation.

edit: you will notice I have a header tank in the design. that is due primarily to the type of carburetor on the Scarlett 3VW. it is a Walbro 37, and has no bowl.
my thought process is to make Sure i have fuel at all times, and to limit chances of air in the fuel lines.

Offline PropMan

  • 2019 Donor
  • *
  • Posts: 366
  • Total likes: 66
  • XL B2
  • OS:
  • Windows NT 10.0 Windows NT 10.0
  • Browser:
  • Chrome 61.0.3163.100 Chrome 61.0.3163.100
    • Performance Propellers USA
  • Eagle Type: LE XL
Re: LE and XL Fuel System
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2017, 05:30:55 PM »
I then made form blocks to fit the rib bay, where i wanted the tank to reside. calculated to make sure i had 5 gallons of Usable fuel.
Cut my aluminium sheet and formed a couple ribs.
The forming causes the rib to have a curve, it needs to be fluted in the proper spaces, rivet spacing is determined the flutes are done to straighten the rib.
Frank

Offline PropMan

  • 2019 Donor
  • *
  • Posts: 366
  • Total likes: 66
  • XL B2
  • OS:
  • Windows NT 10.0 Windows NT 10.0
  • Browser:
  • Chrome 61.0.3163.100 Chrome 61.0.3163.100
    • Performance Propellers USA
  • Eagle Type: LE XL
Re: LE and XL Fuel System
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2017, 05:35:56 PM »
Ribs complete, so i cut a sheet the proper width and took it to the brake.
Carefully measured and made my bends. 
The flanges will be trimmed and top fabbed up after i sort out plumbing.

Offline Steve

  • Steve Kiblinger
  • Staff
  • *
  • Posts: 698
  • Total likes: 132
  • Flying
  • OS:
  • Windows 7/Server 2008 R2 Windows 7/Server 2008 R2
  • Browser:
  • Firefox 55.0 Firefox 55.0
    • Legal Eagle serial #33
  • Eagle Type: Legal Eagle(LE)
Re: LE and XL Fuel System
« Reply #3 on: September 25, 2017, 07:49:55 PM »
Ribs complete, so i cut a sheet the proper width and took it to the brake.
Carefully measured and made my bends.
The flanges will be trimmed and top fabbed up after i sort out plumbing.
N i c e !:emoji_u1f60e:

Offline Jim B

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 20
  • Total likes: 2
  • New Member
  • OS:
  • Windows NT 10.0 Windows NT 10.0
  • Browser:
  • Chrome 52.0.2743.116 Chrome 52.0.2743.116
  • Eagle Type: XL
Re: LE and XL Fuel System
« Reply #4 on: September 26, 2017, 03:03:06 AM »
Propman
Looks great.  What is your rivet spacing?  Do you apply the proseal during the construction or after the tank is complete?
Jim
building LE XL F-47
Jim
Ocala,Fl

Offline PropMan

  • 2019 Donor
  • *
  • Posts: 366
  • Total likes: 66
  • XL B2
  • OS:
  • Windows NT 10.0 Windows NT 10.0
  • Browser:
  • Chrome 61.0.3163.100 Chrome 61.0.3163.100
    • Performance Propellers USA
  • Eagle Type: LE XL
Re: LE and XL Fuel System
« Reply #5 on: September 26, 2017, 04:42:32 AM »
Propman
Looks great.  What is your rivet spacing?  Do you apply the proseal during the construction or after the tank is complete?
Jim

The rivet spacing is 1 1/8" , rivets are AN470-3 and AN426-3, of proper length for the application. The top skin will use the flush rivets(AN426). The proseal is applied liberally along the rivet line during assembly and I will also form a fillet on the inside of the seam. i'll post photos when to that stage of assembly.

Offline Tom H

  • Beta testers
  • ***
  • Posts: 387
  • Total likes: 73
  • Built/flew LEU, built/flying DE
  • OS:
  • Windows 7/Server 2008 R2 Windows 7/Server 2008 R2
  • Browser:
  • Firefox 55.0 Firefox 55.0
  • Eagle Type: DE, LEU
Re: LE and XL Fuel System
« Reply #6 on: September 26, 2017, 05:03:25 AM »
Frank, that will be a slick installation.  Will you have any support for the top panel to keep its shape, or will the curve take care of that?  I know from welding tanks that the panels will get distorted, but have not done a riveted tank.

I'm sure you have it planned, but your sketch does not show a main tank vent.  Maybe part of the filler cap?

We have the Verner on LEU Treehugger, nea, Three Jugger, fed directly from the wing tank.  Starts and runs fine.  We plan to do a fuel flow test into a container to verify adequate fuel flow, especially in a nose high and/or low fuel level condition.  Then we plan to do a full throttle run-up when nose high to simulate a worse-case (or, maybe it is best-case with that awesome prop) climb condition.

When you eventually test it, it will be good to know if the Verner will run with a low mounted header tank, like you have, with worse case low/no fuel in main tank.
Tom H
Stubby, a BDE
Treehugger, LEU

Offline scottiniowa

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 497
  • Total likes: 97
  • Scott-In-Iowa
  • OS:
  • Mac OS X 10.7.5 Mac OS X 10.7.5
  • Browser:
  • Safari 6.1.6 Safari 6.1.6
    • Display of helpful hits and tricks
  • Eagle Type: Legal E- XL
Re: LE and XL Fuel System
« Reply #7 on: September 26, 2017, 05:10:56 AM »
Looks like Frank is doing excellent work there.  Some may wonder about a NO pro-seal method using welded over rivets and that can work to, but takes perhaps what might be considered special skills on the welding side…   It is simply a learned “skill”  Just like many other aspects of the aircraft build.

That being said, many ways to skin the cat, and Frank’s sure looks good!

Frank, did you calculate volume?   I  could always do that for you, with a few measurements, doesn’t take long.

cheers
Scott
best email address:  irondesignairparts@gmail.com

Offline Jim B

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 20
  • Total likes: 2
  • New Member
  • OS:
  • Windows NT 10.0 Windows NT 10.0
  • Browser:
  • Chrome 52.0.2743.116 Chrome 52.0.2743.116
  • Eagle Type: XL
Re: LE and XL Fuel System
« Reply #8 on: September 27, 2017, 02:50:53 AM »
Prpoman
Thanks for the info.  I am keenly interested in the outcome of your tank.  Looking forward to more pictures and progress.
Jim
building LE XL F-47
Jim
Ocala,Fl

Offline PropMan

  • 2019 Donor
  • *
  • Posts: 366
  • Total likes: 66
  • XL B2
  • OS:
  • Windows NT 10.0 Windows NT 10.0
  • Browser:
  • Chrome 61.0.3163.100 Chrome 61.0.3163.100
    • Performance Propellers USA
  • Eagle Type: LE XL
Re: LE and XL Fuel System
« Reply #9 on: September 27, 2017, 06:40:38 AM »
Tom- if all goes to plan the top skin will be supported by the ribs and possibly a strip of angle down the center formed as the ribs were with the curve. And, Yes, the cap has a vent, pic to follow.

Scott- I have all the tools to weld , just haven't had time to acquire the skill. so opted for something i knew. One day i will tho. 
Yes, i calculated the volume ,old school way. i may send you the dimension just to check my work, Thanks.

And Scott hit the nail on the head, many ways to skin this cat. just pick one you are comfortable with and go. the basic fuel system stays the same, just lots of ways to build it.
Frank

Offline PropMan

  • 2019 Donor
  • *
  • Posts: 366
  • Total likes: 66
  • XL B2
  • OS:
  • Windows NT 10.0 Windows NT 10.0
  • Browser:
  • Chrome 61.0.3163.100 Chrome 61.0.3163.100
    • Performance Propellers USA
  • Eagle Type: LE XL
Re: LE and XL Fuel System
« Reply #10 on: September 27, 2017, 06:52:07 AM »
Here is a shot of the fuel cap.

I want to keep things as aerodynamic as possible, read drag reduction. and my way is not always the best. just how i decided to do it. I purchased the cap from ACS- UD-3-C Fuel Cap with Contoured Adaptor. drilled and installed vent tube and a few vent holes inside cap assembly.
Frank

Offline PropMan

  • 2019 Donor
  • *
  • Posts: 366
  • Total likes: 66
  • XL B2
  • OS:
  • Windows NT 10.0 Windows NT 10.0
  • Browser:
  • Chrome 61.0.3163.100 Chrome 61.0.3163.100
    • Performance Propellers USA
  • Eagle Type: LE XL
Re: LE and XL Fuel System
« Reply #11 on: October 05, 2017, 08:00:57 PM »
Had a little time to work on the fuel tank today.
Drilled the ribs to the bottom skin and drilled a couple stiffeners to the tank bottom to give a bit of support. 
Also test fit the tank in the wing to determine where trimming needs to be done.
Frank

Offline Steve

  • Steve Kiblinger
  • Staff
  • *
  • Posts: 698
  • Total likes: 132
  • Flying
  • OS:
  • Windows 7/Server 2008 R2 Windows 7/Server 2008 R2
  • Browser:
  • Firefox 56.0 Firefox 56.0
    • Legal Eagle serial #33
  • Eagle Type: Legal Eagle(LE)
Re: LE and XL Fuel System
« Reply #12 on: October 06, 2017, 06:55:33 PM »
N i c e :emoji_u1f62f:

Offline Poorman2

  • 2014 Donor
  • *
  • Posts: 113
  • Total likes: 9
  • Noob
  • OS:
  • Windows NT 10.0 Windows NT 10.0
  • Browser:
  • Chrome 61.0.3163.100 Chrome 61.0.3163.100
  • Eagle Type: LE XL A5 - B40
Re: LE and XL Fuel System
« Reply #13 on: October 07, 2017, 09:10:07 AM »
Looking good Frank! I see you are using 2024-T3. What thickness are you using?

Offline Bob Wood

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 166
  • Total likes: 15
  • XL completed 2015
  • OS:
  • Windows 7/Server 2008 R2 Windows 7/Server 2008 R2
  • Browser:
  • Firefox 56.0 Firefox 56.0
  • Eagle Type: Legal Eagle XL
Re: LE and XL Fuel System
« Reply #14 on: October 09, 2017, 09:18:11 AM »
Frank,
Looks really good, what is your estimate on weight?

 

EaglersNest Mission Statement:
To maintain the comprehensive searchable database resource for Builders and Fliers of Leonard Milholland ultralight airplane designs aka Legal Eagle Ultralights.

BetterHalfVW.com  becomes LegalEagleAirplane.com - stay in contact with Leonard and get plans for all the Milholland Designs at LegalEagleAirplane.com
SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal