Tanks for containing a fluid within a chamber
AssigneeAirbus Operations GmbH
InventorsColin John West, James Alves, Robert Piper
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tank for containing a fluid, such as fuel, oil or gas within a chamber. The walls of the chamber are partially defined by a rigid structure having an opening; and partially defined by an elastomeric diaphragm which is attached around its periphery to the rigid structure and covers the opening in the rigid structure. An attachment frame engages the diaphragm and the rigid structure, and extends around the periphery of the diaphragm. The attachment frame has a first portion which engages the diaphragm, and a second portion which is positioned outside an outer edge of the diaphragm and attached to the rigid structure.
Claims19
A vehicle, comprising:
- a tank supplying a fluid for use by said vehicle, said tank containing said fluid within a chamber, wherein the boundaries of the chamber are partially defined by a rigid structure having an opening, and partially defined by an elastomeric diaphragm which is attached around its periphery to the rigid structure and covers the opening, wherein the elastomeric diaphragm comprises a reinforcement element impregnated with an elastomeric matrix, and a flexible protection layer inside the fuel tank which covers the elastomeric diaphragm and protects it against the ingress of corrosive liquid.
A vehicle, comprising:
- a tank for containing a fluid within a chamber, wherein the boundaries of the chamber are partially defined by a rigid structure having an opening, and partially defined by an elastomeric diaphragm which is attached around its periphery to the rigid structure and covers the opening, an attachment frame which engages the diaphragm and the rigid structure, and extends around the periphery of the diaphragm, wherein the attachment frame has a first portion which engages the diaphragm, and a second portion which is positioned outside an outer edge of the diaphragm and attached to the rigid structure, and wherein the first portion of the attachment frame is encapsulated within the diaphragm.
A vehicle, comprising:
- a tank for containing a fluid within a chamber, wherein the boundaries of the chamber are partially defined by a rigid structure having an opening, partially defined by an elastomeric diaphragm which is attached around its periphery to the rigid structure and covers the opening, and one or more actuators configured to change the shape of at least part of the rigid structure to which the diaphragm is attached.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.