New UFBK air trap series
 

Dear all.
In the continuation of our professional UFB series ( which are exclusively produced for a large UAV manufacturer in Europe )
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/rc-j...air-traps.html

We decided to develop a different product, a bit more traditional and lighter. We built on the simplicity of the original CAT series ( on which I helped Marc for the original design ) but added two essential features: serviceability. and strength.
The UFBK series is a monocoque kevlar unit fitted with a screw type stopper that includes the fittings and the filter assembly.
The air separator filter is the very well known and reliable plated paper unit used on the original CAT, complemented with MIL spec Pisco push-to-connect fuel fittings.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/01...g?v=1547921906

The monocoque kevlar tank is pressure molded in an aluminum mold and cured in a high temperature autoclave.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/01...G?v=1547921714


The resin is an aero spec epoxy that we can certify to MIL or AS9100D standards.
It is extremely light and strong at the same time.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/01...g?v=1547921947

The screw type fuel stopper allows to completely remove the filter unit for servicing, as well as the fittings and tubes.
For this reason, it is very easy to change the fittings type or size, or clean the filter and tank from debris.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/01...g?v=1547921798

The first unit we developed was a 1000 ml air trap designed for large UAV jet engines of max 1000N.
It is currently being used on specific UAV engines of up to 260 ltrs/ hours consumption in Eastern Europe and Israel.
The standard fittings are either 12 mm or 10 mm OD.

The second unit is a "XL" size by hobby standards with a capacity of 500 ml.
It works really well on engines of 300 N and above thrust rating ( max 500 N ) and can be fitted with fittings of 10, 8 or 6 mm OD.

The third unit is a medium size of 250 ml designed for engines of max 250N

The last unit is a 160 ml size designed for engines of up to 160 N thrust.
The 250 and 160 sizes feature a vacuum pocket designed to show the max vacuum value allowed in the system. One the tanks are full, the pocket will completely filled with fuel. Once an engine test is made at full thrust, the vacuum will "pull" a cavity in the pocket.
The volume of the pocket is so that as long as the fuel level does not go below the pocket level, vacuum is of an acceptable level.
If the pocket empties completely under full thrust test, the vacuum is too high and the system needs to be inspected for restriction ( damaged compoenent, kink, debirs or slime).

These new products are available here:
https://www.ultimate-jets.net/produc...er-ufbk-series

Wow, these look really nice.... great work

Yes, of course. We will have the filter assembly available as a spare. I am working on another product page to add this on the web site.

The small units can come with 6 mm and 8 mm push-to-connect Pisco fittings, the big ones 8, 10, 12 mm. I have included the variants in the web page.
We can create any custom size air trap and any combination of volume/ fitting size. The fitting size combination that does not make sense to me shows as " unavailable" on the web site, but we can still make it!

Thanks!

Here is the product page for the filter units.

https://www.ultimate-jets.net/produc...ervice-filters

Sure. Will make a picture tomorrow. The filter assembly is glued on the brass tube extender with Hysol 9462.

Interesting concept / theory -
One cant help but wonder "a glued on filter" ??
A mechanical adaptation of filter retention would be more desirable one would think .....possibilities are many -

There will be no issues with glued on filters, my original CAT products had the same method albeit an aluminium connector which was glued with 9462 onto the filter. I've had my original test CAT filter and glued connection sitting in jet fuel for 9 years and nothing has given way or unglued. As long as the surfaces are correctly prepped and cleaned before gluing they will be fine, knowing Oli's attention to detail this will be perfect.

Mechanical joining is always an option but it tends to add weight and cost, both of which customers tend to dislike!

Oli one question from me, what does the mounting option look like?

marcs

Just keep in mind that our Kevlar fuel tanks are basically a large piece of kevlar fabric held in shape by epoxy resin ( which nothing but a certain type of glue ).
Similarly, the fittings are typically glued on the surface of the tank with Hysol 9462.

Like Marc says, I have kevlar tanks, fittings and CAT devices having been left full of fuel for over 10 years without the slightest sign of degradation.

In fact, Hysol's own datasheet shows that 9462 hardness increases with time in fuel immersion.

If the prospect of using of a kevlar tank is not a problem to you, then a Hysol 9462 glued filter shouldn't neither.

What about changing the filter? Do you just cut the old one off and have a slightly shorter tube to then glue a replacement filter onto?

No. There is an aluminum plate that holds the filter.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/01...g?v=1548099135
This plate needs to be heated with a heat gun until the glue softens. The the filter separate easily.

Do you have dimensions of the smallest one?

This filter is similar to the MAP and they are great UATs, nice system!

Will it be possible to get 4mm fittings on the medium and small units?

Yes. 60 mm long, 50 mm high.
I am editing drawings for all 4 sizes and i will put them on the product page.

Yes, either push-to-connect with OD 4 mm or barbed with ID 4 mm.

Fantastic, I mainly use AMT's and they have always used 4mm OD on their turbine connections with 6mm only into the pump. Always loved the CAT's because they were so light and felt quite desperate when Marc no longer made them. Will definitely give these a try.

Springbok pleased you have an alternative, safe flying mate.

marcs

Here is a picture of the VaccuTest system.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/01...g?v=1548314611

It is a cost effective method to test the level of vacuum generated by the pump.
When the engine is set at full thrust, the pump will generate the maximum level of vacuum. This will pull the fuel level down.
As long as the level stay at or above the pocket bottom, the vacuum levels are low.
If the pocket empties completely, then the vacuum levels might be too high and a clogging condition might have occurred ( kink/ debris/ slime )...

The pocket volumes are not random, but sized according to my experience for 160 N/ 250 N engines respectively. These only work when the air trap is set flat.

This little pocket does not increase the price of the product, but provide extremely useful information on the "health" of the entire fuel system at a glance...

3D printed bracket with a stopper at the bottom.
Looks like this.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/01...g?v=1548432998

Standard bracket is made from nylon, but we also have a PEEK version for our MIL customers.

Does the small one have 3 inlets?

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...427b8766ed.jpg

Yes, Matt.
The push-to-connect fittings are at the top of the pocket. They do not show on this drawing.
For info, on the 166, the screw cap used is the same as our Cloudtech tank stopper.
https://www.ultimate-jets.net/produc...p-fuel-stopper

Whereas on the 250 and above, the screw cap is a much larger 3 fittings unit.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/01...g?v=1548458071