초록 ▼

An explosion resistant fuel tank comprises an explosion resistant insert, which comprises a compressible resilient structure. The structure is placed within a conventional fuel tank, and has interconnecting capillary-sized cells for containing a liquid fuel. The cells have equivalent cross-sectional

An explosion resistant fuel tank comprises an explosion resistant insert, which comprises a compressible resilient structure. The structure is placed within a conventional fuel tank, and has interconnecting capillary-sized cells for containing a liquid fuel. The cells have equivalent cross-sectional diameters of no more than about 0.005 inch. The fuel tank also comprises means for compressing the compressible structure to a reduced volume so that the liquid fuel contained therein passes out of the compressible structure. In one version, the compressible structure is a sponge. In another version, the compressible structure comprises an elongated honeycomb structure having elongated tubular cells lined up side by side. The honeycomb is substantially incompressible along the length of the tubular cells.

대표청구항 ▼

An explosion-resistant fuel tank suitable for use in a vehicle, the fuel tank comprising: (a) a container suitable for holding a liquid fuel therein; (b) an explosion resistant insert comprising at least one compressible, resilient structure comprising a plurality of cells for containing liquid fuel

An explosion-resistant fuel tank suitable for use in a vehicle, the fuel tank comprising: (a) a container suitable for holding a liquid fuel therein; (b) an explosion resistant insert comprising at least one compressible, resilient structure comprising a plurality of cells for containing liquid fuel, the compressible structure decreasing in volume from a first volume to a reduced second volume when subjected to a compressive force, the reduced second volume being no more than about 75% of the first volume, compression of the structure forcing liquid fuel out of the structure, the structure being sufficiently resilient that when the compressive force is released the structure returns to its first volume for soaking up additional liquid fuel, the insert being inside the container; and (c) means for compressing the compressible structure to the reduced second volume such that liquid fuel passes out of the compressible structure.