US3830261A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-sealing hollow body for containing fluids
Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corp
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Filing: 1972-06-22
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Granted: 1974-08-20
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Expires: 1992-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A hollow body, such as a metal fuel line, has a hollow imperforate core through which fuel flows or is contained. This core when penetrated by a projectile will tend to flare outwardly or ''''petal'''' at the exit hole left by the projectile. To retard or accommodate this petalling the core is surrounded by a layer of a material which may be either a braided fibrous overwrap or a foam material of very low density, or a combination of the two. Surrounding the inner layer is a resilient sealant layer, and the sealant of that layer reacts with the exiting fuel such that it expands and seals the hole left by the penetrating projectile. The sealant is encased in a protective outer overwrap of braided fiber strands applied around the sealant and embedded in a suitable matrix. The protective overwrap is quite rigid and contains the sealant. The overwraps are applied by braiding, and enhance the survivability of the hollow body in the event it is penetrated by a projectile.
Inventors
- 👤 M Hochberg
- 👤 E Welhart
- 👤 J Pousson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:53
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L55/00; F16L55/16; F16L55/1616; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S220/00; Y10S220/23; Y10S220/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
A self-sealing hollow body for containing a liquid fuel, said hollow body comprising: a hollow substantially rigid imperforate core which is formed from metal and defines a cavity in which fuel is contained; first strands of nonmetallic fibrous material braided directly over and around the metal core to reinforce the core so as to reduce outward petalling and distortion of the core when the core is penetrated by a projectile; a first matrixforming material impregnating the braid formed by the first strands; a spacer layer of light weight material encircling the impregnated braid formed by the first strands and first matrixforming material for accommodating petalling of the metal core when the core is penetrated by a projectile; a sealant layer encircling the spacer layer, the sealant layer being capable of reacting with fuel to swell so as to close a puncture in the fuel line and thereby prevent fuel from escaping; second strands of nonmetallic fibrous material braided tightly around the sealant layer such that the sealant is placed in a state of precompression as the second strands are applied, whereby the second strands maintain the sealant in place and in a state of precompression; and a second matrix-forming material impregnating the braid formed by the second strands; the impregnated braid formed by the second strands and second matrix-forming material being exposed outwardly to form the outer surface of the hollow body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
A self-sealing hollow body for containing a liquid fuel, said hollow body comprising: a hollow substantially rigid imperforate core which is formed from metal and defines a cavity in which fuel is contained; first strands of nonmetallic fibrous material braided directly over and around the metal core to reinforce the core so as to reduce outward petalling and distortion of the core when the core is penetrated by a projectile; a first matrixforming material impregnating the braid formed by the first strands; a spacer layer of light weight material encircling the impregnated braid formed by the first strands and first matrixforming material for accommodating petalling of the metal core when the core is penetrated by a projectile; a sealant layer encircling the spacer layer, the sealant layer being capable of reacting with fuel to swell so as to close a puncture in the fuel line and thereby prevent fuel from escaping; second strands of nonmetallic fibrous material braided tightly around the sealant layer such that the sealant is placed in a state of precompression as the second strands are applied, whereby the second strands maintain the sealant in place and in a state of precompression; and a second matrix-forming material impregnating the braid formed by the second strands; the impregnated braid formed by the second strands and second matrix-forming material being exposed outwardly to form the outer surface of the hollow body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A hollow body according to claim 1 wherein the spacer layer is a foam material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A hollow body according to claim 1 and further characterized by a first adhesive layer between the spacer layer and the impregnated braid formed by the first strands and the first matrix-forming material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A hollow body according to claim 33 and further characterized by a second adhesive layer between the spacer layer and the sealant layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
166 words
A self-sealing hollow body for containing a liquid fuel, said hollow body comprising: a hollow substantially rigid imperforate core which is formed from metal and defines a cavity in which fuel is contained; first strands of nonmetallic fibrous material braided directly over and around the metal core to reinforce the core so as to reduce outward petalling and distortion of the core when the core is penetrated by a projectile; a spacer layer of light-weight material encircling the braid formed by the first strands for accommodating petalling of the metal core when the core is penetrated by a projectile; a sealant layer encircling the spacer layer, the sealant layer being capable of reacting with fuel to swell so as to close a puncture in the fuel line and thereby prevent fuel from escaping; second strands of nonmetallic fibrous material braided tightly around the sealant layer, whereby the second strands maintain the sealant in place; and a matrix-forming material impregnating the braid formed by the second strands.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
166 words
A self-sealing hollow body for containing a liquid fuel, said hollow body comprising: a hollow substantially rigid imperforate core which is formed from metal and defines a cavity in which fuel is contained; first strands of nonmetallic fibrous material braided directly over and around the metal core to reinforce the core so as to reduce outward petalling and distortion of the core when the core is penetrated by a projectile; a spacer layer of light-weight material encircling the braid formed by the first strands for accommodating petalling of the metal core when the core is penetrated by a projectile; a sealant layer encircling the spacer layer, the sealant layer being capable of reacting with fuel to swell so as to close a puncture in the fuel line and thereby prevent fuel from escaping; second strands of nonmetallic fibrous material braided tightly around the sealant layer, whereby the second strands maintain the sealant in place; and a matrix-forming material impregnating the braid formed by the second strands.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-19 | 1978-02-18 | 1978-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-19 | 1982-02-18 | 1982-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-19 | 1986-02-18 | 1986-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |