Self-healing metal composite tube walls
AssigneeHyperloop Technologies, Inc.
InventorsKristen HAMMER, Blake COLE
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tubular structure including an outer tube an inner tube arranged within the outer tube and at least one chamber formed between the outer tube and the inner tube. The tubular structure additionally includes at least one self-healing material arranged in the chamber, wherein the self-healing material is configured to solidify and/or expand upon contact with a reacting material.
Claims23
A tubular structure comprising:
- an outer tube;
- an inner tube arranged within the outer tube;
- at least one chamber formed between the outer tube and the inner tube;
- and
- at least one self-healing material arranged in the chamber, wherein the self-healing material is configured to solidify and/or expand upon contact with a reacting material.
A method of forming a tubular structure comprising an outer tube, an inner tube arranged within the outer tube, and at least one chamber formed between the outer tube and the inner tube, the method comprising:
- forming the at least one chamber;
- and
- arranging at least one self-healing material in the at least one chamber, wherein the self-healing material is configured to solidify and/or expand upon contact with a reacting material.
A method of sealing a hole in a tubular structure comprising an outer tube, an inner tube arranged within the outer tube, at least one chamber formed between the outer tube and the inner tube, and at least one self-healing material arranged in the at least one chamber, wherein the self-healing material is configured to solidify and/or expand upon contact with a reacting material, the method comprising:
- contacting the self-healing material with the reacting material such that the self-healing material solidifies and/or expands to form a solidified section;
- and
- sealing the hole with the solidified section.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.