Tank Having Integral Restraining Elements and Associated Fabrication Method
First Claim
1. A tank comprising:
- a wall assembly defined between an outer wall and an inner wall, wherein the inner wall defines a volume for storing a liquid;
a plurality of restraining elements comprising a portion of and extending between the inner and outer walls,wherein the plurality of restraining elements comprise a plurality of layers of material with each layer forming a portion of two restraining elements and a portion of at least one of the inner and outer walls extending between the two restraining elements; and
an inlet opening into the volume defined between the inner and outer walls in order to permit a pressurized gas to be introduced within the wall assembly.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tank and associated fabrication method are provided which may limit the damage otherwise occasioned by the impact of a ballistic projectile. The tank may include a wall assembly defined between outer and inner walls and a plurality of restraining elements that extend between the walls. The restraining elements may be formed to have a plurality of layers of material that form not only the restraining element, but also portions of the inner and/or outer walls. For example, the tank may include a plurality of cells positioned adjacent to one another with each cell forming portions of two adjacent restraining elements and portions of the inner and/or outer walls. A corresponding method for fabricating a tank including a wall assembly having a plurality of restraining elements is also provided.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A tank comprising:
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a wall assembly defined between an outer wall and an inner wall, wherein the inner wall defines a volume for storing a liquid; a plurality of restraining elements comprising a portion of and extending between the inner and outer walls, wherein the plurality of restraining elements comprise a plurality of layers of material with each layer forming a portion of two restraining elements and a portion of at least one of the inner and outer walls extending between the two restraining elements; and an inlet opening into the volume defined between the inner and outer walls in order to permit a pressurized gas to be introduced within the wall assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A tank comprising:
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a plurality of cells, each cell comprising a plurality of layers of material that extend about and define each cell; inner and outer face sheets attached to opposite sides of the plurality of cells to thereby form a wall assembly having (i) inner and outer walls that are each formed by a respective face sheet and a portion of the plurality of cells and (ii) a plurality of restraining elements extending between the inner and outer walls with each restraining element formed by a portion of a cell; and an inlet opening into a volume defined between the inner and outer walls in order to permit a pressurized gas to be introduced within the wall assembly. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of fabricating a tank comprising:
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forming a plurality of cells, each cell comprising a plurality of layers of material that extend about and define each cell; positioning the plurality of cells with respect to one another; positioning inner and outer face sheets on opposite sides of the plurality of cells; and curing the inner and outer face sheets and the layers of material that form the plurality of cells to thereby form a wall assembly having (i) inner and outer walls that are each formed by a respective face sheet and a portion of the plurality of cells and (ii) a plurality of restraining elements extending between the inner and outer walls with each restraining element formed by a portion of a cell; wherein the wall assembly defines an inlet opening into a volume defined between the inner and outer walls in order to permit a pressurized gas to be introduced within the wall assembly. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification