GB2054456A - Fuel tank protection means - Google Patents
Fuel tank protection means Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2054456A GB2054456A GB8018026A GB8018026A GB2054456A GB 2054456 A GB2054456 A GB 2054456A GB 8018026 A GB8018026 A GB 8018026A GB 8018026 A GB8018026 A GB 8018026A GB 2054456 A GB2054456 A GB 2054456A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- fuel tank
- protection means
- layers
- tank protection
- layer
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
- B32B5/22—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed
- B32B5/24—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer
- B32B5/26—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer another layer next to it also being fibrous or filamentary
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
- B32B5/02—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by structural features of a fibrous or filamentary layer
- B32B5/024—Woven fabric
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
- B32B5/02—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by structural features of a fibrous or filamentary layer
- B32B5/026—Knitted fabric
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
- B32B5/02—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by structural features of a fibrous or filamentary layer
- B32B5/06—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by structural features of a fibrous or filamentary layer characterised by a fibrous or filamentary layer mechanically connected, e.g. by needling to another layer, e.g. of fibres, of paper
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
- B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2262/00—Composition or structural features of fibres which form a fibrous or filamentary layer or are present as additives
- B32B2262/02—Synthetic macromolecular fibres
- B32B2262/0261—Polyamide fibres
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2262/00—Composition or structural features of fibres which form a fibrous or filamentary layer or are present as additives
- B32B2262/02—Synthetic macromolecular fibres
- B32B2262/0276—Polyester fibres
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
- B32B2307/30—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular thermal properties
- B32B2307/306—Resistant to heat
- B32B2307/3065—Flame resistant or retardant, fire resistant or retardant
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
- B32B2307/50—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular mechanical properties
- B32B2307/56—Damping, energy absorption
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
- B32B2307/70—Other properties
- B32B2307/706—Anisotropic
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
- B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
- B60K2015/03328—Arrangements or special measures related to fuel tanks or fuel handling
- B60K2015/03407—Arrangements or special measures related to fuel tanks or fuel handling to protect tanks against projectiles
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Laminated Bodies (AREA)
Abstract
Fuel tank protection means to line a wall of an enclosed bay which is external to a fuel tank bay comprises a laminate structure formed by layers of resilient energy-absorbent non- flammable material 18 interspersed with layers of non-flammable projectile passage-resistant sheet 17. The resilient energy-absorbent non-flammable material may comprise a reticulated structure formed by melded polymeric fibres and the non-flammable projectile passage-resistant sheet may comprise woven or knitted nylon fabric. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Fuel tank protection means
This invention relates to means for protecting fuel tanks, and is particularly concerned with means for reducing damage, in particular coring, caused by large projectiles or other objects striking self-sealing flexible fuel tanks such as are found in aircraft.
Known self-sealing flexible fuel tanks, such as are generally found in aircraft, have a self-sealing capability provided by a fuel-activated swellable material, for example a blown natural rubber sponge material, which is incorporated as one of the layers of material making up the fuel tank wall. In the event that the fuel tank is penetrated by a high velocity projectile or other object, fuel leaking through the resultant wound activates the swellable material, causing it to swell up and seal the wound. However, a large projectile or other object, particularly if it is tumbling when it penetrates the tank wall, will take out a core oftankwall material that results in a hole of a size that is beyond the sealing capability of the fuelactivated material.
The fuel bay in an aircraft structure, and within which the fuel tank is installed, is usually bounded on at least one side by a further bay or confined space. Should fuel leak into such a space a lethal fuel fire may result and it has been proposed to fill such bays or spaces with a fire-protective material, such as a fire-protective reticulated structure formed of polymeric fibres. The fire-protective reticulated structure may also serve to absorb some of the energy of a projectile passing through it, so that the damage that the projectile causes when it penetrates the adjacent fuel tank wall is reduced.
It is an object of the present invention to provide means for reducing damage, in particular coring, when a fuel tank is penetrated by a projectile.
In its broadest aspect the present invention provides fuel tank protection means comprising a laminate structure formed by layers of resilient energy-absorbent non-flammable material interspersed with layers of non-flammable projectile passage-resistant sheet and attached so that the layers of non-flammable projectile passage-resistant sheet are able to stretch and deform into the layers of resilient energy-absorbent non-flammable material to absorb energy from a projectile striking the laminate structure.
The layers of resilient energy-absorbent material and projectile passage-resistant sheet may be loosely fastened to each other so as to prevent substantial slippage of the layers with respect to each other. The method of fastening may comprise loose stitching.
Preferably, the outermost layers of the laminate structure comprise layers of the projectile passageresistant sheet.
The resilient energy-absorbent material may have a reticulated structure.
In an embodiment of the invention the resilient energy-absorbent material comprises a fireprotective reticulated structure formed by melding polymeric fibre, that is to say thermally or chemically achieving coherence of fibres, preferably bicomponent fibres, at their contiguity nodes in a non-woven mass thereof. One such suitable fireprotective reticulated structure is that sold by Imperial Chemical Industries Limited under their Trade
Mark "ATOMEL." This fire protective reticulated structure exhibits anisotropic resilience and when used in the present invention it is preferably so arranged that it has highest resilience in the direction of the thickness of a layer of the material.
The non-flammable projectile passage-resistant fabric may comprise woven or knitted nylon or high strength aromatic polyamide fibres.
The invention will now be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows a cross-section through an aircraft fuselage having a centrally located fuel tank bay protected by a laminate structure in accordance with the present invention;
Figure2 is a cross-section through a laminate structure in accordance with the present invention and
Figure 3 is a similar cross-section to that shown in
Figure 2, but illustrating deformation of the laminate structure when struck by a projectile.
Referring to Figure land aircraft fuselage 10 has a self-sealing flexible fuel tank 11 housed in a fuel bay located centrally of the fuselage 10. Dry bays 12a, b, c and d encompass the fuel bay, the dry bays being defined between walls 13 of the fuel bay and the skin 15 of the fuselage 10. Those sides of the walls 13 which form a boundary part of the dry bays 12 are lined with fuel tank protection means comprising a laminate structure 16.The laminate structure 16, shown in cross-section in Figure 2, comprises alternate layers of non-flammable projectile passageresistant sheet comprised in this embodiment by woven nylon fabric 17, and resilient energyabsorbent non-flammable material comprised in this embodiment by a reticulated structure 18 formed of melded polymeric fibre, the outermost layers of the laminate structure comprising layers of the woven nylon fabric. There is no substantial securement between the nylon fabric layers 17 and the reticulated structure layers 18, so that when the laminate structure 16 is struck by a projectile 19, as shown in
Figure 3, some slippage is able to take place at the interfaces of the nylon fabric layers 17 and the reticulated layers 18.However, to prevent substantial slippage of the layers 17 and 18 with respect to each other they are fastened to each other by loose stitching (not shown. The laminate structure is attached to the walls 13 by any suitable means such as, for example, bonding or stud fasteners.
The reticulated structure layers 18 are preferably formed from the material sold by ICI under the Trade mark "ATOMEL" and because this material has anisotropic resilience, showing maximum resilience in the plane of the sheet or blanket in which it is produced, each layer 18 is preferably of the so-called "stack-bonded" configuration, consisting of a number of strips cut from the sheet and bonded in a stack so as to produce a layer the thickness direction of which corresponds to the plane of the sheet from which the strips were cut and which thus exhibits the maximum resilience of the material in the direction of the thickness of the layer.
If desired, the laminate structure 16 may complete ly fill the available space within the dry bays 12.
Alternatively, space in the dry bay, other than that space occupied by the laminate structure 16 and any equipment or components, may be filled with fireprotective reticulated structure such as is used to form the layers 18 of the laminate structure 16.
A projectile 19 penetrating the aircraft fuselage and striking the laminate structure 16, as shown in
Figure 3, will stretch each nylon fabric layer 17 and deform it into a layer of reticulated structure 18 as it penetrates and passes through the fabric thereby reducing the velocity of and absorbing energy from the projectile 19. Thus, when the projectile penetrates the wall of the flexible fuel tank 11 its initial energy will have been so reduced that coring of the tank wall will be substantially reduced and the wound in the tank wall will be of a size that is within the self-sealing capability of the fuel-activated swellable material layer which forms an integral part of the tank wall.
Claims (14)
1. Fuel tank protection means comprising a laminate structure formed by layers of resilient energy-absorbent non-flammable material interspersed with layers of non-flamable projectile passage-resistant sheet and arranged so that the layers of non-flammable projectile passage-resistant sheet are able to stretch and deform into the layers of resilient energy-absorbent non-flammable material to absorb energy from a projectile striking the laminate structure.
2. Fuel tank protection means as claimed in
Claim 1, wherein the layers of resilient energyabsorbent material and projectile passage-resistant sheet are loosely fastened to each other soo s to prevent substantial slippage of the layers with respect to each other.
3. Fuel tank protection means as claimed in
Claim 2, wherein the fastening comprises loose stitching.
4. Fuel tank protection means as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the outermost layers of the laminate structure comprise layers of said projectile passage-resistant sheet.
5. Fuel tank protection means as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein each resilient energyabsorbent layer is formed of a material having anisotropic resilience so arranged as to exhibit its maximum resilience in the direction of the thickness of the layer.
6. Fuel tank protection means as claimed Claim 5, wherein each resilient energy-absorbent layer is of stack-bonded configuration consisting of a number of strips cut from a sheet of material having maximum resilience in the plane of the sheet and bonded in a stack so as to produce a layer the thickness direction of which corresponds to the plane of the sheet.
7. Fuel tank protection means as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein each layer of resilient energy-absorbent non-flammable material has a reticulated structure.
8. Fuel tank protection means as claimed in
Claim 7, wherein each layer of resilient energyabsorbent non-flammable material comprises a fireprotective reticulated structure formed by melded polymeric fibres.
-
9. Fuel tank protection means as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein each layer of nonflammable projectile passage-resistant sheet comprises woven or knitted nylon fabric.
10. Fuel tank protection means as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein each layer of nonflammable projectile passage-resistant sheet comprises woven or knitted fabric manufactured from high strength aromatic polyamide fibres.
11. Fuel tank protection means as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein each layer of nonflammable projectile passage-resistant sheet comprises polycarbonate sheet.
12. An enclosed bay external to a fuel tank bay having a laminate structure in accordance with any one ofthe preceding Claims lining at least that wall which separates the external bay from the fuel tank bay.
13. Fuel tank protection means comprising a laminate structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
14. Every novel feature and every novel combination of features disclosed herein.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8018026A GB2054456A (en) | 1979-06-07 | 1980-06-02 | Fuel tank protection means |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB7919829 | 1979-06-07 | ||
| GB8018026A GB2054456A (en) | 1979-06-07 | 1980-06-02 | Fuel tank protection means |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2054456A true GB2054456A (en) | 1981-02-18 |
Family
ID=26271785
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8018026A Withdrawn GB2054456A (en) | 1979-06-07 | 1980-06-02 | Fuel tank protection means |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2054456A (en) |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2528537A (en) * | 2014-05-07 | 2016-01-27 | Bae Systems Plc | Liquid storage system |
| US9738395B2 (en) | 2014-05-07 | 2017-08-22 | Bae Systems Plc | Liquid storage system |
| US9975645B2 (en) | 2014-05-07 | 2018-05-22 | Bae Systems Plc | Liquid storage system |
| CN108099587A (en) * | 2016-06-24 | 2018-06-01 | 长沙双合盛企业管理有限公司 | A kind of automotive oil tank protects structure |
| US10189576B2 (en) | 2014-05-07 | 2019-01-29 | Bae Systems Plc | Liquid storage tank |
| US10640226B2 (en) | 2014-05-07 | 2020-05-05 | Bae Systems Plc | Liquid storage system |
-
1980
- 1980-06-02 GB GB8018026A patent/GB2054456A/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2528537A (en) * | 2014-05-07 | 2016-01-27 | Bae Systems Plc | Liquid storage system |
| US9738395B2 (en) | 2014-05-07 | 2017-08-22 | Bae Systems Plc | Liquid storage system |
| US9944403B2 (en) | 2014-05-07 | 2018-04-17 | Bae Systems Plc | Liquid storage system |
| US9975645B2 (en) | 2014-05-07 | 2018-05-22 | Bae Systems Plc | Liquid storage system |
| US10189576B2 (en) | 2014-05-07 | 2019-01-29 | Bae Systems Plc | Liquid storage tank |
| US10640226B2 (en) | 2014-05-07 | 2020-05-05 | Bae Systems Plc | Liquid storage system |
| CN108099587A (en) * | 2016-06-24 | 2018-06-01 | 长沙双合盛企业管理有限公司 | A kind of automotive oil tank protects structure |
| CN108099590A (en) * | 2016-06-24 | 2018-06-01 | 长沙双合盛企业管理有限公司 | A kind of automotive oil tank protects structure |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |