Conformal fuel tank

Abstract

Conformal fuel tank which includes an elongate, flexible or rigid, tubular member having a storage chamber therein. The tubular member is bent into a coiled configuration which can conform to a variety of irregular two and three dimensional shapes. Preformed saddle members are provided which include channel members thereon which receive bent portions of the tubular member and maintain them in a bent condition which corresponds to the curved channels. Cap members are provided on the end portions of the tubular members for closing the storage chamber, thereby enabling fuel to be stored therein. The tubular member may include an inner core made of a nylon monomer or copolymer, an intermediate layer around the core made of a fiber-reinforced composite material, and an outer protective layer of polyurethane or the like. The conformal fuel tank is particularly adapted for use in storing fuel such as methane or propane under high pressure in irregular spaces available in a vehicle or the like.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.