Tank assembly and helicopter
AssigneeHelitak Fire Fighting Equipment Pty Ltd
InventorJason Schellaars
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tank assembly for a helicopter is provided. The tank assembly comprises a retractable tank for storing liquid or other substances, an attachment mechanism, and first and second struts. The retractable tank comprises an upper frame structure. The attachment mechanism is attached to the upper frame structure and is configured to engage a cargo hook mount on the underside of the fuselage of the helicopter. The first and second struts extend from respective opposing sides of the upper frame structure. Each of the first and second struts is configured to engage a respective side mount on the fuselage of the helicopter.
Claims16
A tank assembly for a helicopter, the tank assembly comprising:
- a retractable tank comprising an upper frame structure, a lower frame structure and a flexible bag for storing liquid or other substances, the flexible bag being connected to the upper and lower frame structures, and the lower frame structure being moveable by gravity from a first retracted position in which the lower frame structure is substantially within or adjacent the upper frame structure, to a second extended position in which the lower frame structure is spaced from the upper frame structure in response to the amount of liquid or other substance in the flexible bag;
- an attachment mechanism attached to the upper frame structure and configured to engage a cargo hook mount on the underside of the fuselage of the helicopter;
- and
- first and second struts extending from respective opposing sides of the upper frame structure, each of the first and second struts being configured to engage a respective side mount on the fuselage of the helicopter.
A helicopter comprising:
- a fuselage having an underside and opposing sides;
- two opposing side mounts disposed respectively on the opposing sides of the fuselage;
- a cargo hook mount disposed on the underside of the fuselage;
- and
- a tank assembly comprising:
- a retractable tank comprising an upper frame structure, a lower frame structure and a flexible bag for storing liquid or other substances, the flexible bag being connected to the upper and lower frame structures, and the lower frame structure being moveable by gravity from a first retracted position in which the lower frame structure is substantially within or adjacent the upper frame structure, to a second extended position in which the lower frame structure is spaced from the upper frame structure in response to the amount of liquid or other substance in the flexible bag;
- an attachment mechanism attached to the upper frame structure and engaged with the cargo hook mount;
- and
- first and second struts extending from respective opposing sides of the upper frame structure, each of the first and second struts being engaged with a respective side mount.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.