A fuel tank largely filled with a plurality of discrete impermeably walled cells, the cells and the space between them and the tank sides and roof being substantially filled with fire protective reticulated structure. The cells are each plugged into one of a plurality of fuel collection networks, via non-return valves which prevent return flow of the fuel into the cells. The region between the cells and the tank walls is arranged to receive incoming fuel which then flows from the ullage into the cells, and, by means of a self switching pump, is also arranged to empty preferentially. The purpose of the invention is to minimize fuel loss and fuel fire in the event of a tank rupture.
A fuel holding apparatus and method utilizes a plurality of capillaries which actually confine the fuel. The fuel holding method and apparatus can be used in vehicles and high performance aircraft to reduce the likelihood of an explosive ignition of the fuel in a crash situation.
Apparatus for smothering a liquid sodium fire comprises a pan, a perforated cover on the pan, and tubes depending from the cover and providing communication between the interior of the pan and the ambient atmosphere through the perforations in the cover. Liquid caught in the pan rises above the lower ends of the tubes and thus serves as a barrier which limits the amount of air entering the pan.
A baffle assembly for a fuel tank includes a baffle frame formed with an opening and a baffle member installed in the opening. The baffle member is formed from a mass of synthetic resin strings which are joined collectively into a sponge-like structure.
In order to avoid the sloshing of liquid within a container caused by movement of the container, the single bulk volume of the liquid is retained in the form of a plurality of separated mini-volumes. This is accomplished by providing a chamber formed by upper and lower plates and an interconnecting sidewall. A plurality of elongated, adjacent mini-chambers are provided within the chamber aligned in side-by-side relationship with the sidewall. The mini-chambers are formed by a honeycomb medium of acoustical material having one end sealed closed. The medium has no measurable magnetic susceptability and is formed of a paper material treated with a heat resistant phenolic resin. When placed within an insulated housing including isothermal shields, the chamber is useful in cryogenic applications such as, for example, storing liquid helium.
An aircraft fuel tank (101) comprises an inner and an outer chamber (103, 105) which are fluidly interconnected via a plurality of open-ended pipes (109). A non-flammable gas, which is immiscible with the fuel (119), is pumped into the outer chamber (103) on demand to displace the fuel (119) into the less vulnerable inner chamber (105) and thereby forms a protective non-flammable gaseous barrier around the fuel-retaining inner chamber (105). The fuel tank (101) is used primarily for military aircraft and provides the ability to attenuate hydrodynamic ram effects arising in the fuel following penetration of the fuel tank (101) by a projectile. All round protection is achieved because the inner chamber (105) is contained wholly within the outer chamber (103).
