US3856465A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Leak detection coating for aircraft flexible fuel cells
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1973-05-17
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1993-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A fuel soluble coating facilitates the detection and location of leaks in aircraft flexible fuel cells. This coating contains an oil soluble dye and is applied like a paint to the exterior surfaces of flexible fuel cells by brush or spray. Fuel leaks extract sufficient color from the coating dye to identify the leaking cell without requiring cell removal from the aircraft. Coating dissolved by the escaping fuel also provides a visible and permanent track on the cell wall to the point of leak origin.
Inventors
- 👤 D Lipscomb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:45
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/042; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S252/00; Y10S252/964
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A LEAK DETECTION COATING FOR FLEXIBLE FUEL CELLS IN AIRCRAFT COMPRISING A BATCH OF HOMOGENEOUS MIXTURE STORED IN AN AIR-TIGHT CONTAINER UNTIL READY FOR USE, SAID MIXTURE CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF EQUAL PARTS OF A SOLVENT AND RUBBER CEMENT AND APPROXIMATELY 1 TO 1.2 OUNCES PER GALLON OF COATING DESIRED OF AN OIL SOLUBLE DYE SELECTED FROM THE AZO AND ANTHRAQUINONE TYPES.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A LEAK DETECTION COATING FOR FLEXIBLE FUEL CELLS IN AIRCRAFT COMPRISING A BATCH OF HOMOGENEOUS MIXTURE STORED IN AN AIR-TIGHT CONTAINER UNTIL READY FOR USE, SAID MIXTURE CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF EQUAL PARTS OF A SOLVENT AND RUBBER CEMENT AND APPROXIMATELY 1 TO 1.2 OUNCES PER GALLON OF COATING DESIRED OF AN OIL SOLUBLE DYE SELECTED FROM THE AZO AND ANTHRAQUINONE TYPES.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The coating of claim 1 wherein said batch comprises approximately 30 grams of said dye and approximately 2 quarts each of said solvent and said rubber cement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The coating of claim 1 wherein said mixture is produced by first mixing said dye in a solution with said solvent and then adding and mixing the rubber cement into said solution.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The coating of claim 1 wherein said solvent is technical grade hexane and said rubber cement is natural rubber dissolved in a benzol solvent to produce a solution of about 6 percent solids.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The coating of claim 1 including multiple said batches wherein a dye of selected different color is used in each batch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of using the coating of claim 5 in an aircraft having multiple said cells comprising the steps of initially cleaning the exterior surface of each cell, applying a different batch of said coating to the entire area of the cleaned surfaces of each cell, allowing each said applied coating to dry, and finally dusting each coating when dried with talc.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 6 wherein each said coating is applied by two cross coats, about 15 minutes air dry time being allowed between coats and about 2 hours air dry time being allowed after the final coat.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |