US3787279A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shock and fire attenuating fuel tank
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1972-05-22
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Granted: 1974-01-22
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Expires: 1992-05-22
Abstract
Abstract A self-sealing fuel tank subject to penetration by projectiles that is improved with the addition of a layer of rigid, fiberreinforced foam material attached contiguous to the outside wall surface of the fuel tank to enhance the resealing of the punctured tank wall and to reduce the vulnerability of fires external and internal to the tank, and further improved by the application of a layer of a similar foam material as a liner inside the tank to reduce damage caused by hydraulic ram pressure effects.
Inventors
- 👤 H Winchester
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:12
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B5/00; B32B5/22; B32B5/32; B29; B29C; B29C44/00; B29C44/02; B29C44/12; B32B1/00; B32B1/08; B32B5/18; B64; B64D; B64D37/00; B64D37/02; B64D37/06; B64D37/32; B32B2266/00; B32B2266/08; B32B2305/00; B32B2305/08; B32B2439/00; B32B2439/40; B64D2037/325; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S220/00; Y10S220/90; Y10S220/901; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/912
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
An aircraft fuel tank subject to penetration by a projectile comprising: a fuel tank having walls constructed of self-sealing material; a shock attenuating layer secured to the inner wall surfaces; said layer being made of a rigid, crushable, closed cell foam material of at least 1/8 inch thickness reinforced with nylon fibers along three axes, whereby impact damage by the projectile to the tank walls is minimized by said layer absorbing the shock waves created by the penetrating projectile within the fuel tank.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
An aircraft fuel tank subject to penetration by a projectile comprising: a fuel tank having walls constructed of self-sealing material; a shock attenuating layer secured to the inner wall surfaces; said layer being made of a rigid, crushable, closed cell foam material of at least 1/8 inch thickness reinforced with nylon fibers along three axes, whereby impact damage by the projectile to the tank walls is minimized by said layer absorbing the shock waves created by the penetrating projectile within the fuel tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
125 words
An aircraft fuel tank subject to penetration by a projectile comprising: a fuel tank having walls made of a self-sealing material; a shock attenuating layer of material secured contiguous to the inside wall surfaces forming a thin liner therefore; a second layer of material disposed contiguous to the outside wall surfaces; said layers of material being made of a crushable, closed cell foam material reinforced with nylon fibers along three axes; whereby said fibers in the outer layer of foams function to wipe the incendiary from the projectile before it enters the tank and facilitate resealing of the walls, and said inner layer of foam material absorbs the shock wave created by the projectile within the tank to minimize impact damage to the tank walls.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
125 words
An aircraft fuel tank subject to penetration by a projectile comprising: a fuel tank having walls made of a self-sealing material; a shock attenuating layer of material secured contiguous to the inside wall surfaces forming a thin liner therefore; a second layer of material disposed contiguous to the outside wall surfaces; said layers of material being made of a crushable, closed cell foam material reinforced with nylon fibers along three axes; whereby said fibers in the outer layer of foams function to wipe the incendiary from the projectile before it enters the tank and facilitate resealing of the walls, and said inner layer of foam material absorbs the shock wave created by the projectile within the tank to minimize impact damage to the tank walls.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3509016A
Cited
US3567536A
Cited
US3561639A
Cited
US3506224A
Cited
US3575786A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-21 | 1977-07-23 | 1978-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-21 | 1981-07-23 | 1982-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-21 | 1985-07-23 | 1986-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |