GB2215685A - Protected fuel storage system - Google Patents

Abstract

A protected fuel storage system comprises a double encapsulated fuel storage reservoir partly of monocoque extrusion, having therein liquid foam capillary cannisters, dispositioned to disintegrate upon impact of said reservoir and vehicle chassis, in the event of vehicle collision, producing an emulsified liquid of the petroleum and liquid foam. Ancilliary apparatus of an externally positioned extra cannister, pendulum valve, and nozzle, applying liquid foam to pre-ignition zones e.g. filler cap are provided and use, fibre optics positioned in vehicle body to relay information for the purposes of extinguishing fire. <IMAGE>

Description

PROTECTED FUEL STORAGE SYSTEM THIS INVENTION concerns a protected fuel storage system for installation into road and track vehicles.

Much advanced technology is employed in the design and manufacture of modern motorised vehicles in an attempt to ensure high safety standards for passengers transported there-in. Multiple collisions and crashes represent FIRE HAZARD to passengers and sustained loss of property.

Attempted precautionary measures for fire protection related to systems on the main are reliant solely through the incorporation of electromechanical devices initially charged by the said vehicles battery source. Unfortunatly the said battery source is often interrupted during collision of said vehicle SUSTAINING DAMAGE there-to.

THIS UNIQUE protected fuel storage system employes solely potential and kinetic forces to execute its primary fail safe operation; residually utilising Fibre-Optic feedback results and electromechanical attenuation as an optional tertiary measure.

For the avoidance of uncertainty, the term "Potential and Kinetic Forces in execution of primary function" shall be construed here-in as to represent IMPACT POTENTIAL and Acquiescent Film Forming Foam KINETIC PRESSURE' Absolute assurance of executing fire hazard bares on TIME DISPENSATION for the system to initiate its operation. Time delay here-in is thus minimised at one consecqutive instant of distortion in said vehicles structure upon collision and impact extricating foam to vehicles fuel.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved technique for overcoming deficiencies in sub-surface injection and surface injection of foam upon vehicles fuel utilising equipment less likely to sustain damage in its own right during operation.

According to the present invention, there is provided a double encapsulated set of fuel tanks, housing double foam loaded inert gun drilled capillary tubes sealled at their apertures by spring ball lock valves implaced there-in. The primary exterior fuel tank carcase is composed of deformable rubberised material, thus said hypothetical deformation of interior fuel tank carcase remains extricated without hemoraging.

Thus imflammable fuel content is confined for treatment.

The exterior fuel tank carcase fabricates of moulded flange apertures located there-on, locating said chassis mounting bolts and flanged caption nuts affisçing carcase and interior tank to said vehicles chassis. Intersecting the said exterior tank are implaced Fibre-Optic loom relaying any possible deformation of said exterior tank carcase. A further said thermometer is implaced between double encapsulated tank cavity reading for viscosity temperature of extinguishing foam and relaying information to said thermal control block.

A said geometric option of two Foam loaded capillary tubes are set longitudinally implaced within interior fuel tank ; these tube cannisters are purely isolated by the necks of their apertures remaining flush and confined within main interior fuel tank. As the aperture ports of the said foam loaded capillary cannisters are spring ball sealled, the said necks are thus unobtrusive to fragmentary damage occuring upon said deformation of vehicles chassis.

The independant foam loaded capillary cannisters are prime filled with foam prior to being implaced in location. Thus the said method of extricating their liquid content is subsequent to vehicles hypothetical collision, initial distortion of vehicle structure and fracture occurrence in the capillary cannister tube wall, Sequence timing of this said activity is therefor persistently instant.

Upon damage sustained to main fuel tank quarter, through said vehicles hypothetical collision , there is fabricated an independant foam loaded cannister amalgamated with gravitationally set pendulum valve fed through to a refined extinguishment nozzle, muzzled, to target said vehicles Fuel Port Cap Inlet. As when cause motivates vehicle to roll over during collision, the pendulum valve casing inverts directly with said chassis of vehicle. Subject to inversion of unit case, with vehicle, a heavy brass hemispherical pendulum rotates opportune with gravity vacating free passage of liquid foam through its port apertures sourced at said cannister through to anti-splatter nozzle, targeting pre-ignition zone of externally escaped fuel.

The fuel transmission pipe is double encapsulated and sheathed from its source at fuel tank base aperture harnessing a passage of liquid foam along its said lenght. The double encapsulation is terminated by spherical clips screwed taught. Subject hemmoraging initiated by tearing of said encapsulation and fuel spillage will result thus in emulsification of liquid foam with engine fuel, preventing potential inflagration there - with.

Thus to this point the primary independant apparatus retains functionability without residual electrification, supply , or electromechanical back-up from any exterior source.

Lately, Fibre-Optic cord is helicoidally wound in a loom via extrusion along entire lenght of fuel transmission pipeline and exterior panelled edges of said vehicle bodywork in lieu of a tertiary backup stage reconvening said Dog-Clutch lay shaft, motorised interconnected to said pendulum valve.

Said pendulum valve can rotate free on engagement through half turn without engaging Dog Clutch ratchet.

The viscosity of the acquiescent film forming foarn is thermally treated to remain temperate and viscous.

Said thermal block activation and ancilliary cooling treatment unit perform the function.

The system is thus counter checked and regulated by said Silicon Integrated Circuit Chips and Fibre-Optic attenuated connection there-with , but primarilly the mechanical aspect of the said system requires NO electrification or NO electromechanical support to execute its initial fire extinguishing pre-ignition role.

The dog-clutch attenuation installed in this independant design gives the system its "FREEPLAY" in Co-alition with the geometric fashion and disposition of its independant intersecting foam capillary cannister 5 executing fuel pr e -ignition.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying panelled drawings in which; PANEL A: Illustrates in part exploded view , the full perspective of the geometric layout and integration of the entire system, figuratively numerated in accordance with the invention.; PANEL B ILlustrates a top plan side angled elevation of double encapsulated fuel tank housing precise geometrically set inert gun drilled foam cannisters PANEL C: Illustrates a top plan elevated view of inert gas pressurised cannister affixed at its apperture port to the neck aperture of intersection cannister.

PANEL D: Illustrates a semi diagramatical cross sectional view together with a side elevation view of independant gun drilled foam intersection cannister.

PANEL E: Illustrates a side angled elevation of a hemispherically set pendulum valve with affixing flanges to said vehicle chassis.

PANEL F: Illustrates a side elevated view of both an Anti-Surge Spraying Nozzle, Muzzled and its prime target, the fuel filler cap.

PANEL G: Illustrates a side angled elevated view of Fibre-Optics relay control block, Fibre-Optice tank inter section capillary and Fibre-Optically loomed Fuel pipe.; PANEL H: Illustrates a side plan semi-cross sectional view of a double encapsulated fuel pipe line with helicoidally wound loom of Fibre-Optic cord.

PANEL I: Illustrates a side angled elevated view of both an electronic thermal control station box together with thermal oil unit amalgamated with cross-flow pipes.; Refering to the panelled drawings illustrated here-in; Fig; 1: depicts an exterior rubberised sleeving carcase fabricated with moulded aperture flange mountings locating threaded anchor bolts, nuts, and pressure washers; fixing to said vehicles rear end chassis. Upon fabrication through extrusion, a duplicated layer of rubber may be sandwiched about the periphery of the carcase allowing a considerable gain in expansion pending further movement of interior encapsulated tank should distortion occur. Factory integration of the double encapsulated tank neccessitates a degree of open access into the rubberised sleeving car case to mount contents there-in.

Accomodating this point, there is a Fig;7: heavy gauge flange housing implanted on the entire top surface area of the fuel tank integration , sealled by bolts, nuts, and pressure washers harnessing cleevage of Fig;l: Rubber car case periphery, encapsulating Fig;2: interior tank there -in.

By optimum design, there is only one port apperture in base of Fig;l: Sleeving carcase at its base for Fig;16: Fuel line source nozzle.

Panel (B); Illustrates optimum geometric location of intersecting foam filled capillary cannisters implaced longitudinally about the periphery of main Fig;2: Interior fuel tank. By appointment of strict design, any furtherance of geometric distortion in collision of Fig;2: walling will force a breach of pressure rupturing twin Fig;10: foam inter section cannister S extricating their contents, namely, Acquiescent Film Forming Extinguishing Foam into Petroleum mixture.

Panel (C); Illustrates a Fig;4: pressurised cannister containing a content of Inert Gas fixed at its port aperture to the neck aperture of Fig;10: Foam loaded capillary cannister intersecting Fig;2: Fuel Tank. During hypothetical collision of said vehicle, should the port fixing of Fig;4: cannister remain intact with Double encapsulated fuel tank and furthermore Fig;10: cannister, inert gas will reinforce the extinguishing effect from fuel pre-ignition as of advantage.

Panel (D); lilustrates the schematic fabrication of Fig;10: Gun Drilled Perspex Capillary Cannister. Fig;lOe: depicts a precision lathe turned groove intersection, purposely weakening clear cast acrylic wall for stress factor disintegration. Thus the unit is designed to fracture about its walling on minimum stress and distortion.

Fig; 1 Ob: depicts tubular clear cast acrylic transperant wall. The transperancy of this wall allows efficient inspection for any seamline cracks during manufacture.

Fig;lOg: depicts capillary cannister location bolt installed initially on manufacture to gain precise alignment of intersection tube, setting the precise tolerated pressure for suspension. Fig;lOf: depicts pressurised cavity giving disposition to Acquiescent Film Forming Foam. Fig;lOd: is a stainless steel thrust spring appertaining pressure to Fig;l0c: thrust ball sealling said Fig;lOa Flange Nozzle.

Fig;lOa: Flange nozzle threads itself into Fig;lOb: perspex tube upon fabrication.

Panel (E); Illustrates a hemispherical cylinder valve set in a barrelled case with apperture ports. The fabrication of this particular unit consists of a primary aluminium alloy case machine bored out at fine tolerance fitting the diameter of brass hemis-spherical pendulum ( Fig:18a). The pendulum is sleeved with naval spec brass piston rings (Fig 18d).

The moment of mechanical inertia of pendulum rotating about its mechanical axis demands ball raced bearings to be implaced about its axis providing efficiency Fig 18b port appertures are threaded and sealled utilising Poly Tetro Fluoro Ethylene tape and washers. Fig 18e; depicts exterior alloy moulded flange appertures, drilled and tapped locating bolts and captive flange nuts to vehicle chassis. In operation there-for, Fig 18a; brass pendulum cylinder will rotate about its axis (Fig 18f); within its honed barrell casing upon invertion of vehicle chassis vacating free passage of liquid foam ( OR INERT GAS); through apperture ports (Fig 18b) , thus priming the foam transmission pipes, feeding (Fig 12); unit - (Panel F).

Panel F; Illustrates a refined anti-surge spray nozzle, muzzled for FOAM EMASOULATION AT CLOSE QUARTERS upon prime target, Fuel Port Filler Cap.

The refined nozzle unit integrates of a taper cone shaped alloy case, drilled and bored . The bore has a thrust ball, spring loaded, exhibiting a low pressure thrust into a drilled muzzle. Fig 12c; depicts spring.

Fig 12b; depicts thrust ball. The muzzle neck apperture (Fig 12d); affixes the liquid foam port pipe (Fig 12g); as the threaded knurled lock nut (Fig 1 2f); is tightened clockwise. Fig 12: unit is drilled, tapped and bolted on to said vehicle chassis at point Fig 12e. The Fig 12 unit prevents any seappage of liquid foam by forming a pressurised seal with the aid of its thrust ball pressure.

Subsequently, due to the Fig 12 unit being muzzled, it prevents major volume of liquid acquiescent foam being thrust beyond its pre-ignition target. Furthermore, the time sequence of its activity is increased as the foam feed pressure in its supply pipe remains -consecqutively loaded with NO SEAPPAGE.

For visual reference annotation; Fig 14a depicts petrol cap; Fig 14b depicts Filler Cap Flange. Fig 1 4c depicts vehicle body work and chassis. Fig 14d depicts fuel port pipe.

Panel G; Illustrates Fibre-Optic Electronic control box with ancilliary connections. Fig 5a deicts Integrated Circuit Silicon Chip; Fig 5b deicts electronic transmission wires; Fig Sc depicts Fibre-Optic illumination elements; Fig 5d depicts electronic solenoids activated by illumination elements. Fig 5e depicts light illumination.

Integrated circuit silicon chips are mounted onto a tufnallt printed circuit board ; supplied by direct current diode voltage rectification chip; fed by torroidal transformer. The power supply activates the circuitry linked solenoids upon fracture and distortion of the Fibre- Optic cord membrane installed in the vehicle.

Should vehicle structure sustain damage, the circuitry will activate a direct current motor connected to dog-clutch attenuating liquid foam pendulum valve.

Forcing through a flow of foam onto pre-ignition zone.

Panel H; Illustrates a double encapsulated fuel pipe, sheathed with a helicoidally wound membrane of Fibre Optic cord. Fig 16a depicts main interior extruded fuel pipe. This may be ribbed with plastic flanges supporting Fig 1 6c transperant silicon exterior wall for ease in manufacturing process. As Fig 16c exterior walling is transperant , the visibility of the extruded product will avail easy manual checking for imperfections in the precise quality control of the product, possible cracks occuring at a later stage in the Fig 16b Fibre-Optic loom, and the efficient flow of the acquiescent film forming foam once installed along vehicle chassis. The double encapsulated mid-cavity can be filled with foam or left vacant with a reciprocating effect on efficiency.The terminations of the double encapsulated pipe line are fastened by spherically screwed clips ( Jubillee Clips) squashing the exterior extrusion and interior extrusion together onto apperture port of reservoir connection. During hypothetical collision of said vehicle chassis, should the fuel pipe line be ripped or crushed , the sheathed harnessed acquiescent foam will flow over the precise point of HEMORAGE, Panel I; Illustrates both a Thermal electronic control box unit and a Thermal oil and gas unit.

These units are installed to maintain the viscosity of the foam contained in the back-up cannisters.

Fig 6 Electronic thermal control unit has an alloy cast box (Fig 6e), housing Fig 6c printed circuit panel with integrated silicon control chips mounted there-on.

Fig 6a Torroidal transformer supplies voltage through a silicon bridge diode chip into a capacitor activating Fig 6b solenoids regulating thermal elements (Fig 9b).

Upon feedback results attenuated from Fig 8 thermometer, the apparatus maintains the viscosity of the back-up cannisters. Fig 9a depicts thermal cooling element.

Fig 9d depicts alloy cast box. Fig 9c depicts opening flange of box, The bias temperature setting of this unit is placed on cooling Acquiescent Film Forming Foam.

Claims (8)

CLAIMS:

1. A protected fuel strorage system comprising a pair of double encapsulated fuel storage tanks, means of mounting one of said tanks on to vehicle chassis, for the purpose of forming fuel reservoir, and pre-supporting an exterior rubberised carcase , with interior gun drilled brittle material capillary tubes formed into acquiescent film forming foam cannisters, lying implaced close to the interior periphery of internal fuel tank, and means of attenuating said design stress ready to occasion fracture disintegration initiated through further said stress distortion in structure of said apparatus causing emulsification of acquiescent film forming foam into motor vehicle fuel reservoir therewith.

2. A protected fuel storage system according to Claim 1, wherein a secondary external cannister is dispositiond to cause a resurgence of liquid foam or inert gas directly into and pressurising said equipment and exterior rubberised carcase of Claim

3. A protected fuel storage system according to Claim 1, wherein a further externally placed cannister is dispositiond to supply liquid foam through said pendulum rotary valve targeting said inflagration zone precisely with muzzled-nozzle, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying panelled drawings.

4. A protected fuel storage system according to claim 1, wherein fuel tank fabrication is of monocoque extrusion, utilising one or more of the intersection Capillary Cannister, bearing no protruding or obtrusive flanges, completely sealled, substantially as described in Panel-D, of the accompanying drawings.

5. A protected fuel storage system according to Claim 3, wherein rotational hemispherical Pendulum Valve is fabricated to act manually substantially as described in Panel-E, of the accompanying drawings , completely without servo-assistance or ratchet connected there-to.

6. A protected fuel storage system according to Claim 4, wherein a double encapsulated Fuel transmission pipe line substantially as described in Panel-H, of the accompanying drawings utilises an encapsulation of Liquid Foam along its lenght, purposely dispositioned to emasculate Hemorage of said fuel transmission line on rupture there-to.

7. A protected fuel storage system according to Claim 1, where-in a Fibre-Optic feedback loom is implaced in vehicle structure reading for deformation in lieu of collision, reciprocate distortion, activating electronic control centre, servo-assisting extinguishing apparatus , thus pro-curing a flow of liquid foam or gas upon vehicle fuel there-to.

8. A protected fuel storage system according to Claim 4, where-in a refined anti-surge spray nozzle, muzzled, reciprocately spring ball loaded preventing seappge of Liquid Foam or Inert Gas is dispositioned to target potential Inflagration zone; remaining consecqutively loaded with its load substance, shortening Time Dispensation activity through Milli-Seconds in procuring Extinguishment.

8. A protected fuel storage system substantially as described here-in, and parts unique for set purpose aforementiond.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Cl.AlMS: 1. A protected fuel storage system comprising a pair of semi deformable double encapsulated tank carcases; means of mounting exterior tank and Fibre-Optic loom on to stratified chassis cannister ; for the purpose of forming fuel reservoir, the Monocoqued Fabrication pre-supporting an exterior rubberised carcase, with Intersecting Cannister ducts, stressed to fracture, composed of brittle material moulded thus lying implaced close to the interior periphery of Internal Monocoque ready to occasion fracture disintegration initiated through further said stress distortion in structure of said apparatus activating Fibre Optic loomed circuitry creating an emulsification of Liquid Foam and vehicle fuel, further attenuating Liquid Foam Spray upon exterior fuel port cap and further Inflagration zone, 2.A protected fuel storage system according to Caim 1, where-in a secondary external Inert Gas cannister is dispositioned to cause a resurgence: AN EXPLOSIVE DEPOSITORY of Inert Gas directly in to and pressurising said equipment and exterior rubberised car case of Claim ], nullifying the Adverse effects of Hemoraging sustained by tearing of said fabrication on IMPACT.

3. A protected fuel storage system according to Claim 1, where-in an externally implaced cannister is dispositioned to force feed, supply and target liquid foam during VEHICLE INVERSION through sealled said Pendulum Valve with its rotational capacity Emasculating said Inflagration zone, Precisely via Muzzled-Nozzle, procuring emasculation efficiency substantially as described here-in with reference to the accompanying panelled drawings.

4. A protected fuel storage system according to Claim 1, where-in Internal Fuel Tank fabrication is of Signlar Dravsn Exrusion of MONOCOQUE d*sig l , utilising One or more Intersecting Cannister Ducts, prime filled with Acquiescent Film Forming Foam, stratified and ribbed to disintegrate upon sustained Distortional Impact, apertures completely sealled, bearing no protruding or obtrusive edges, substantially composed of Transperant Plastic material for longetivity quality control assessment.

5. A protected fuel storage system according to CLaim 3, where-in rotational hemispherical pendulum valve is fabricated to activate Manually via Gravity, procuring the flow of Inert Gas or Extinguishment Foam to Inflagration Zone, substantially as described in Panel-(E) , of the accompanying drawings residually without Servo-Assistance or ratchet connected there-to.

6. A protected fuel storage system according to Claim 4, where-in a sheathed, ribbed - encapsulated Fuel Transmission pipe, MONOCOQUELY EXTRUDED from Transperant Plasticated Material substantially as described in Panel-(H), of the accompanying drawings Vacates a Cavity to be filled with Liquid Foam and residually Inert Gas along the lenght of its Transmission, purposely dispositioned to EMASCULATE hypothetical Hemoraging during Impact on Fuel Line sustaining rupture there-to.

7. A protected Fuel Storage System according to Claim 1, where-in a Fibre-Optic feedback loom is implaced in vehicle structure relaying results, reading for deformation due to IMPACT in lieu of Collision, reciprocate distortion activating Silicon Chip Electronic control station unit, Servo -assisting Pendulum Valve mechanism, thus pro-curing a flow of Coo Extinguishment Foam or Inert Gas upon Targeted Inflagration Zone.