Fuel storage cell

Claim 2

In a storage device for holding a quantity of combustible liquid comprising: a single block open-celled core of reticulated material; a fabric covering disposed about said core external surface in bonded securement thereto so as to provide an integral and unitary bladder adapted to store the combustible liquid; sealant means impregnated in said covering for sealing said bladder against leakage; a metal enclosure surrounding said bladder wherein said bladder occupies the total interior of said enclosure in corresponding formfitting relationship; said core being elongated having opposite ends; and fabric end pieces being secured to said opposite ends immediately beneath said fabric cover.

Claim 3

The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said fabric covering is composed of ballistic nylon.

Claim 4

The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said core is predetermined in shape to conform to the Shape of said enclosure.

Claim 5

The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said sealant impregnating means comprises: a first coating of plasticlike material saturated in said fabric covering to contact and bond with the peripheral, external surfaces of said core; and a second coating of a different plasticlike material from said first coating disposed on the exterior surface of said fabric covering.

Claim 6

The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said first coating is a two component, polyether urethane elastomer.

Claim 7

The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein: said metal enclosure comprises a pair of half portions adapted to engage together about said bladder; and attachment means releasably coupling said half portions together.

Claim 8

A fuel cell for holding a volatile fuel and adapted to be installed in a fuel system comprising: a preformed and shaped, open-cellular core of reticulated plasticlike material; a ballistic nylon fabric covering carried on said core so as to completely envelope said core; adhesive means for bonding said core to said covering in a mechanical interlock so that an integral and unitary bladder is produced fully occupied by said core and having a shape corresponding to the shape of said core; sealant coating means carried on the exterior surface of said covering operable to effectively seal said bladder against leakage; additional fabric material underlying said fabric covering adjacent said core at critical locations to provide reinforcement; and a metal enclosure disposed about said bladder in a substantially surface-to-surface engaging relationship so that a unitary fuel cell is produced.

Claim 9

A fuel cell for holding a volatile fuel and adapted to be installed in a fuel system comprising: a preformed and shaped, open-cellular core of reticulated plasticlike material; a ballistic nylon fabric covering carried on said core so as to completely envelope said core; adhesive means for bonding said core to said covering in a mechanical interlock so that an integral and unitary bladder is produced fully occupied by said core and having a shape corresponding to the shape of said core; sealant coating means carried on the exterior surface of said covering operable to effectively seal said bladder against leakage; additional fabric material underlying said fabric covering adjacent said core at critical locations to provide reinforcement; and a metal enclosure disposed about said bladder in a substantially surface-to-surface engaging relationship so that a unitary fuel cell is produced.

Claim 10

The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein: said core is formed with a central recess adapted to receive a component portion of the fuel system; and a central opening formed in said enclosure and said covering about said central recess adapted to permit insertion of the component portion into said central recess.

Claim 11

The invention as defined in claim 8 including: a coupling ring located adjacent said core about said entrance to said central recess and in contact with the edge marginal region of said covering; and attachment means securing said ring to said enclosure with said covering edge marginal region interposed therebetween.

Claim 12

The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said adhesive means secures a said additional fabric material to both said fabric covering and said core.

Claim 13

In a storage device for holding a quantity of combustible liquid comprising: a single block open-celled core of reticulated material; a fabric covering disposed about said core external surface in bonded securement thereto so as to provide an integral and unitary bladder adapted to store the combustible liquid; sealant means impregnated in said covering for sealing said bladder against leakage; a metal enclosure surrounding said bladder wherein said bladder occupies the total interior of said enclosure in corresponding formfitting relationship; said core being configured with a plurality of corners; and a fabric member being secured to said core at each of said corners beneath said fabric covering and adapted to reinforce said fabric covering at the respective corners of said core.

Claim 14

In a storage device for holding a quantity of combustible liquid comprising: a single block open-celled core of reticulated material; a fabric covering disposed about said core external surface in bonded securement thereto so as to provide an integral and unitary bladder adapted to store the combustible liquid; sealant means impregnated in said covering for sealing said bladder against leakage; a metal enclosure surrounding said bladder wherein said bladder occupies the total interior of said enclosure in corresponding formfitting relationship; said core being configured with a plurality of corners; and a fabric member being secured to said core at each of said corners beneath said fabric covering and adapted to reinforce said fabric covering at the respective corners of said core.