Aviation fuel tank with rigid wall for crash energy absorption
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to fuel tanks for aviation, and particularly to construction of rigid tank walls that have been found useful in absorbing energy of a magnitude expected during a crash. In some aspects, the rigid tank wall construction includes particular materials, such as a thermoplastic resin matrix. In some aspects, the rigid tank wall construction includes a particular arrangement of reinforcing fibers, such as a twill weave pattern.
1. An aviation fuel tank assembly comprising:
a rigid wall, the rigid wall configured for energy absorption during a crash and comprising a composite material formed from a thermoplastic resin matrix reinforced by a textile, the textile comprising continuous filament yarn.
2. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic resin matrix comprises an amorphous thermoplastic.
3. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic resin matrix comprises a thermoplastic containing sulfur.
4. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic resin matrix comprises an amorphous thermoplastic containing sulfur.
5. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic resin matrix comprises PPSU.
6. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic resin matrix comprises PEEK or PEKK.
7. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 1 , wherein the textile comprises a unidirectional fabric.
8. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 1 , wherein the textile comprises a woven fabric.
9. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 1 , wherein the textile comprises fabric having a plain weave.
10. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 1 , wherein the textile comprises fabric having a satin weave.
11. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 1 , wherein the textile comprises a fabric having a twill weave.
12. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 1 , wherein the textile comprises a fabric having an interlock weave.
13. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 1 , wherein the textile comprises a fabric having a velvet weave.
14. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 1 , wherein the continuous filament yarn comprises continuous filament aramid yarns.
15. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 1 , wherein the continuous filament yarn comprises continuous filament aromatic polyester yarns.
16. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 1 , wherein the continuous filament yarn comprises continuous filament glass yarns.
17. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 1 , wherein the continuous filament yarn comprises continuous filament PE HT yarns.
18. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 1 , wherein the continuous filament yarn comprises continuous filament Zylon yarns.
19. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 1 , wherein the continuous filament yarn comprises continuous filament carbon yarns.
20. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 19 , wherein the textile comprises a fabric having a twill weave.
21. An aviation fuel tank assembly comprising:
a rigid wall, the rigid wall configured for energy absorption during a crash and comprising a composite material formed from a resin matrix reinforced by a textile, the textile comprising continuous filament yarn arranged in a twill weave.
22. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 21 , wherein the resin matrix comprises a thermoplastic resin matrix.
23. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 21 , wherein the resin matrix comprises an amorphous thermoplastic resin matrix.
24. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 21 , wherein the continuous filament yarn comprises at least one of continuous filament carbon yarns, continuous filament aramid yarns, continuous filament aromatic polyester yarns, continuous filament glass yarns, continuous filament PE HT yarns, or continuous filament Zylon yarns.
25. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 21 , wherein the continuous filament yarn comprises continuous filament aramid yarns.
26. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 21 , wherein the continuous filament yarn comprises continuous filament aromatic polyester yarns.
27. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 21 , wherein the continuous filament yarn comprises continuous filament glass yarns.
28. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 21 , wherein the continuous filament yarn comprises continuous filament PE HT yarns.
29. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 21 , wherein the continuous filament yarn comprises continuous filament carbon yarns.
30. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 21 , wherein the continuous filament yarn comprises continuous filament Zylon yarns.
31. The aviation fuel tank assembly of claim 30 , wherein the resin matrix comprises at least one of PPSU or PEEK or PEKK.