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James Maher wrote:
Ernest,
I have been considering several ways to build the tank from alum sheet.
I think that I have settled on the following design:
A one piece sheet that starts at the top front and goes down from there to the front bottom,
then back along the frame, then up towards the vert fin, then back to the top front with a flange to weld the sheet at the top front.
This will allow the insertion of flanged baffles just as in the F.G. tank that can be welded in and then flanged end caps can be welded in to seal the tank on the sides.
This method would have one weld along the top front and then around each side plate.
You'll leave a lot of fuel capacity in the sides, unless you complicate the design to add a large flange to the top corners that will fit around the curve.
Of coarse there will also be a sump in the bottom of the tank just as I have in the F.G. tank.
I'm hoping the .040 5052 will stretch enough to make a sufficient sump, but I'll have to test it first. The question I have is how to route a drain line to be able to drain the tank for preflight? Everything I've been able to picture means either crawling around under the plane before each flight, or having a drip prone drain filling the INSIDE of the airplane with gas fumes. Neither picture is pretty. How did you handle it?
I'm not sure how you would be able to include the baffles with your method unless you were not going to attach them to the top, but you have probably already figured it out.
Rivet the baffles in the bottom, front and back before welding the top/side flange. Weld over them afteward. The top/sides piece will be a flat sheet with two large curves. It should be a simple matter to start from the center and rivet it down. Just like closing up a wing.
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,|"|"|, Ernest Christley |
----===<{{(oQo)}}>===---- Dyke Delta Builder |
o| d |o http://ernest.isa-geek.org |
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