Ballistic fire protection packaging system

• US 6,915,861 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2002
• Issued: 07/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Goodworth, Allen R., Wilke, Daniel D., Lindsay, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): FOSTER, JIMMY G
• Application Number:
  US10/246,949
• Publication Number:
  US 20040050723A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,028 Days
• Field of Search: 169/43, 169/45, 169/46, 169/66, 169/26, 169/56, 169/57, 169/62, 534/71, 206/216, 206/460, 206/461, 206/526, 206/527, 206/803, 428/920
• US Class Current: 169/66
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/08 in aircraft A62C3/0207 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 37/32 Safety measures not otherwise provided for, e.g. preventing explosive conditions extinguishing or preventing fires in aircraft A62C
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/40 Weight reduction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/803 Emergency, e.g. flare, first aid, survival pack

Abstract

The present invention presents a system for packaging fire suppressing material. An outer membrane is configured to support and release a fire suppression material when impacted by a ballistic or incendiary round. An inner membrane is configured to support and release the fire suppression material when impacted by a ballistic or incendiary round, and the inner membrane and the outer membrane is connected to form at least one cell holding the fire suppression material. In accordance with other aspects of the invention, the inner and outer membranes suitably form a bubble pack filled with a fire suppression powder. Further, the inner and outer membranes may be combined with a lightweight honeycomb panel to form a lightweight and simple system to support fuel tanks.

Claims

1. A system for packaging fire suppression material, the system comprising:

an outer membrane configured to support and release a fire suppression material; and

an inner membrane configured to support and release the fire suppression material, the inner membrane being connected to the outer membrane forming at least one cell that is arranged to contain the fire suppression material such that the fire suppression material is releasable from the at least one cell upon rupture of the at least one cell;

a support panel arranged to support a fuel tank, the at least one cell being attached to the support panel with double-sided tape.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one cell includes a bubble pack.

3. A system for fire suppression for fuel tanks, the system comprising:

at least one support panel arranged to support a fuel tank;

at least one cell attached to the at least one support panel with double-sided tape, the at least one cell including;

an outer membrane configured to support a fire suppression material and configured to release the fire suppression material upon ballistic impact;

an inner membrane configured to support a fire suppression material and release the fire suppression material upon ballistic impact, the inner membrane being connected to the outer membrane to contain the fire suppression material in the at least one cell; and

fire suppression material contained within the at least one cell, the fire suppression material being releasable from the at least one cell upon rupture of the at least one cell.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein:

the at least one cell includes a bubble pack.

5. A system for fire suppression for fuel tanks, the system comprising:

at least one support panel arranged to support a fuel tank wherein the at least one support panel includes a composite honeycomb panel;

at least one cell attached to the at least one support panel, the at least one cell including;

an outer membrane configured to support a fire suppression material and configured to release the fire suppression material upon ballistic impact;

an inner membrane configured to support a fire suppression material and release the fire suppression material upon ballistic impact, the inner membrane being connected to the outer membrane to contain the fire suppression material in the at least one cell; and

fire suppression material contained within the at least one cell, the fire suppression material being releasable from the at least one cell upon rupture of the at least one cell.

6. A method for packaging fire suppression material, the method comprising:

providing an outer membrane configured to support and release a fire suppression material;

providing an inner membrane configured to support and release a fire suppression material;

linking the outer membrane with the inner membrane, wherein linking the outer membrane and the inner membrane includes forming at least one cell;

disposing the fire suppression material within the at least one cell; and

attaching the at least one cell to a support panel arranged to support a fuel tank, wherein the support panel includes a honeycomb panel.

7. A method for packaging fire suppression material, the method comprising:

providing an outer membrane configured to support and release a fire suppression material;

providing an inner membrane configured to support and release a fire suppression material;

linking the outer membrane with the inner membrane, wherein linking the outer membrane and the inner membrane includes forming at least one cell;

disposing the fire suppression material within the at least one cell; and

attaching the at least one cell to a support panel arranged to support a fuel tank, wherein attaching the at least one cell includes using double-sided tape.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the double-sided tape is foam double-sided tape.