Pressure tolerant fuel tank panels
First Claim
1. A fuel tank having containment walls for containing a fuel, at least one containment wall comprising:
- a pressure tolerant composite panel having an inner fiber reinforced layer, an outer fiber reinforced layer, and a strengthening honeycomb core disposed therebetween produced of a material which is crushable in response to high pressure to prevent a stress buildup, and thereby limit impact damage, in the outer layer of the composite panel, and, a plurality of spaced and crossed strapping means disposed over the outer layer for compartmentalizing the outer layer into discrete sections.
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Abstract
A pressure tolerant composite panel has an inner fiber reinforced layer, an outer fiber reinforced layer and an core disposed therebetween. In one embodiment of the invention, the inner layer has weakening structures incorporated at the peripheral edges thereof, and has an outer layer of a different and lower modulus of elasticity than the inner layer to provide some degree of elongation. When high internal forces are encountered, the weakening structures allow the inner layer to separate, with the outer layers stretching to absorb the forces without failure. Optionally, strengthening straps are position about the panel such that it is compartmentalized into discrete sections to contain damage in localized areas. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the inner core is produced of a crushable material which has a yield strength sufficient to provide structural support under normal operating conditions. When a high pressure is encountered which exceeds the yield limit, the core is crushed to prevent force transmission to the outer layer. Such a composite panel assures survivability of the panel when subject to impact damage.
22 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A fuel tank having containment walls for containing a fuel, at least one containment wall comprising:
a pressure tolerant composite panel having an inner fiber reinforced layer, an outer fiber reinforced layer, and a strengthening honeycomb core disposed therebetween produced of a material which is crushable in response to high pressure to prevent a stress buildup, and thereby limit impact damage, in the outer layer of the composite panel, and, a plurality of spaced and crossed strapping means disposed over the outer layer for compartmentalizing the outer layer into discrete sections. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A fuel tank having containment walls for containing a fuel, at least one containment wall comprising:
a pressure tolerant composite panel having a fiber reinforced inner layer, a fiber reinforced outer layer, and a strengthening honeycomb core disposed therebetween, the inner layer having means for partially releasing the inner layer at the periphery thereof to absorb forces, the outer layer having a lower modulus of elasticity than the inner layer, such that the outer layer flexes in a membrane like manner to absorb forces, and, a plurality of strapping means disposed over the outer layer in a crossing pattern which compartmentalizes the outer layer into discrete sections. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
Specification