Hydrodynamic ram mitigating fuel cell structure
A system and method to mitigate the effect of hydrodynamic ram. The system including a chamber adapted to receive fluid and a core disposed within the chamber. A plurality of columns extend through the core and a plurality of orifices extend through the thickness of the columns. The method includes channeling a portion of a vapor bubble to an ullage space disposed within the chamber with the plurality of columns and changing the fluid state of the vapor bubble with a plurality of orifices extending through the thickness of the plurality of columns.
1. An aircraft fuel system adapted to mitigate hydrodynamic ram, the system comprising:
a fluidly sealed chamber adapted to receive aircraft fuel; and
a core composed of a weaved porous material and disposed within the chamber, the core being configured to extend a partial length of a height of the chamber such that a ullage space is created within chamber, the core having:
a plurality of columns extending through the core, the plurality of columns being configured to channel a portion of a vapor bubble to ullage space disposed within the chamber, the ullage space being in fluid communication with each of the plurality of columns, the plurality of columns having a wall thickness; and
a plurality of orifices extending through the thickness of the plurality of columns, the plurality of orifices providing fuel passage through the thickness of the plurality of columns, the plurality of orifices being configured to localized pressure buildup, which in turn causes the vapor bubble to return to a fluid state prematurely;
wherein the vapor bubble from a foreign object entering the core is channeled to both the ullage space and through the plurality of orifices.
2. The fuel system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of columns are formed in a honeycomb configuration.
3. The fuel system of claim 1 , wherein the fluidly sealed chamber is a section of an aircraft wing.
4. The fuel system of claim 1 , wherein the aircraft is a helicopter.
5. The fuel system of claim 1 , wherein the aircraft is a tiltrotor aircraft.
6. The fuel system of claim 1 , the chamber comprising:
an inner surface;
wherein the core securely fastens to the inner surface.
7. The fuel system of claim 1 , wherein the core is composed of carbon laminate material.
8. A fluid system to mitigate hydrodynamic ram, the system comprising:
a fluidly sealed chamber adapted to receive fluid; and
a core composed of a weaved porous material and disposed within the chamber, the core being configured to extend a partial length of a height of the chamber such that a ullage space is created within chamber, the core having:
a plurality of columns extending through the core, the plurality of columns being adapted to channel a portion of a vapor bubble to the ullage space disposed within the chamber, the ullage space being in fluid communication with each of the plurality of columns, the plurality of columns having a wall thickness; and
a plurality of orifices extending through the thickness of the plurality of columns, the plurality of orifices providing fluid passage through the thickness of the plurality of columns, the plurality of orifices being adapted to localized pressure buildup, which in turn causes the vapor bubble to return to a fluid state prematurely;
wherein the vapor bubble from a foreign object entering the core is channeled to both the ullage space and through the plurality of orifices.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of columns are formed in a honeycomb configuration.
10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the fluidly sealed chamber is a section of an aircraft wing.
11. The system of claim 8 , the chamber comprising:
an inner surface;
wherein the core securely fastens to the inner surface.
12. The system of claim 11 , further comprising:
an attachment device adapted to couple the core to the inner surface.
13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the core is composed of carbon laminate material.
14. A method to mitigate hydrodynamic ram in a fluid chamber, comprising:
placing a core within the fluid chamber;
channeling a portion of a vapor bubble to an ullage space disposed within the chamber with a plurality of columns extending through the core;
changing the fluid states of the vapor bubble with a plurality of orifices extending through a thickness of the plurality of columns composed of a weaved porous material;
communicating the plurality of columns with the ullage space such that fluid passes from the plurality of columns to the ullage space;
wherein the vapor bubble from a foreign object entering the core is channeled to both the ullage space and through the plurality of orifices to reduce pressure buildup.