Device for attaching self-sealing plates to the outer wall of a tank, assembly equipped with such an attachment device and associated mounting method

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for attaching (DA) self-sealing plates to an external wall of a tank, said attachment device comprising: a conformable part (PC) shaped to the self-sealing plates; a plurality of straps (S1, S2, S3); a first connection means (PBM, PLQ, PBC) between the straps (S1, S2, S3) and the conformable part (PC); a second connection means (DBM, DLQ) between the straps (S1, S2, S3) and the conformable part (PC). Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Device for attaching self-sealing plates to the external wall of a tank, assembly equipped with such an attachment device and associated mounting method technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of tanks equipped with self-sealing plates. Such tanks are used in particular in the defense sector. More specifically, the invention relates to a device for attaching such self-sealing plates to the outer wall of the tank. Previous Art

[0002] Tanks, typically gasoline tanks, equipped on their outer wall with plates filled with a self-sealing material have long been known. When a projectile impacts the tank, having thus passed through a plate filled with self-sealing material, this material naturally plugs the orifice formed by the projectile to limit or even stop any leakage.

[0003] These plates are generally glued to the external wall of the tank. In this regard, reference may be made, for example, to document FR 3 001 410 Al which proposes a self-sealing casing, which may be in the form of plates filled with the self-sealing material, which is in practice glued to the external wall of the tank.

[0004] This bonding, while allowing assembly and retention of the self-sealing material against the external wall of the tank, poses a difficulty if one wishes to recover the tank alone, for example to reuse it after repair or not depending on its condition or simply to recover the materials of which it is made, which are generally metallic materials.

[0005] It is indeed often difficult and time-consuming.

[0006] Some have proposed removable mounting methods for self-sealing material plates. Reference may be made to the solution proposed in US 5,383,567A. In this document, a rigid housing is proposed to enclose the self-sealing material placed against the tank; the housing comprises two parts that can be attached to one another. This solution requires a housing manufactured specifically for the tank in question, made to measure. Furthermore, it results in a significant mass and is therefore not very practical for a vehicle tank. Summary of the invention

[0007] One objective of the invention is to resolve at least one of the above disadvantages.

[0008] To achieve at least one of these objectives, the invention proposes a device for attaching self-sealing plates to an external wall of a tank, said attachment device comprising: - a part conformable to the shape of said self-sealing plates, said part comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end, - a plurality of straps, each comprising a first strap end and a second strap end opposite the first strap end, - a first means of connection between the straps and the conformable part, said first means of connection connecting the various first ends of the straps to the first end of the conformable part, and - a second means of connection between the straps and the conformable part, said second means of connection connecting the various second ends of the strap to the second end of the conformable part.

[0009] The device according to the invention may comprise at least one of the following features, taken alone or in combination:

[0010] - each means of connection between the straps and the conformable part presents in the form of a bar extending along the entire end of the conformable part and onto which the various strap ends are mounted;

[0011] - the first means of connection includes a first retaining bar for said conformable part and a first connecting bar for the straps on which all the first strap ends are mounted and, a first plate provided with two longitudinal guides parallel to each other, a first longitudinal guide of the first plate receiving the first retaining bar for said conformable part and a second longitudinal guide of the first plate receiving the first connecting bar of said straps, and the second connecting means comprises a second retaining bar for said conformable part, a second connecting bar for the straps on which all the second strap ends are mounted and a second plate also provided with two longitudinal guides parallel to each other,a first longitudinal guide for the second plate receiving the second retaining bar for said conformable part and a second longitudinal guide for the second plate receiving the second connecting bar of said straps;

[0012] - the support bars, the connecting bars and the longitudinal guides all have a circular cross-section;

[0013] - the connecting bars of the straps are made of a metallic material;

[0014] - the plates are made of a metallic material;

[0015] - the retaining bars of the conformable part are made of a material tallique;

[0016] - said conformable part is selected from: a fabric, a film made with a solid plastic material or a canvas covered with a solid plastic material, for example tarp.

[0017] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a tank, for example suitable for containing gasoline, a plurality of contiguous self-sealing plates and an attachment device according to the invention, said plates being mounted against an external wall of the tank by means of said attachment device.

[0018] The invention also relates to a method for assembling an assembly according to the invention, said method comprising the following steps: a) place the self-sealing plates tightly against the tank, b) mount the fastening device around said self-sealing plates, c) tighten the straps of the fastening device in order to hold the self-sealing plates against the outer wall of the tank. Brief description of the figures

[0019] [Fig.1] is a diagram according to a perspective view of an attachment device according to the invention in one embodiment, before being mounted around self-sealing plates to hold them against a reservoir;

[0020] [Fig.2] represents the attachment device of [Fig.1], alone, when mounted around the self-sealing plates which it holds against the tank;

[0021] [Fig.3] is an enlarged view of a part of the attachment device shown in [Fig.2];

[0022] [Fig.4] is a partial view, namely without the straps and without the conformable part of the fastening device according to the invention as enlarged on [Fig.3];

[0023] [Fig.5] is a side view of the partial view of [Fig.4], representing a means of connection between straps and a conformable part of the fastening device of [Fig.1] and its immediate surroundings;

[0024] [Fig.6] is a side view of another means of connection between the straps and the conformable part of the fastening device of [Fig.1] and its immediate surroundings;

[0025] [Fig.7] is a partial cross-sectional view of an assembly comprising a reservoir, in this case cylindrical in shape, self-sealing plates and an attachment device according to the embodiment of the invention of [Fig.1] for holding said plates against the external wall of the reservoir;

[0026] [Fig. 8] is a variant embodiment of the connection means between the straps and the confirmable part of a fastening device according to the invention; and

[0027] [Fig.9] is a variant embodiment of an attachment device according to the invention adapted for a dome-shaped or semi-dome-shaped tank. Detailed description

[0028] We will first describe the DA attachment device of self-sealing plates against a tank according to an embodiment of the invention with reference to Figures 1 to 7.

[0029] The DA attachment device includes a conformable part PC that adapts to the shape of the self-sealing plates PAO. This part being conformable, it is in practice particularly flexible in adapting to any conceivable shape for a tank; the shape of the tank in fact imprints that of the self-sealing plates which must conform to the shape of the external wall of the tank.

[0030] The conformable part PC comprises a first end PE and a second end DE, opposite the first end. The conformable part PC is delimited at its first end PE and its second end DE respectively by a first retaining bar PBM for the conformable part PC and a second retaining bar DBM for the conformable part PC.

[0031] The DA attachment device therefore also includes PBM and DBM retaining bars. The PBM and DBM retaining bars are rigid relative to the conformable part PC. They may, in particular, be made of a metallic material.

[0032] The conformable PC part of the DA attachment device can be a fabric, a film made of a solid plastic material, or a fabric covered with a solid plastic material, for example, tarpaulin. The material used is obviously much lighter than that used in a rigid (metallic) container-type solution. This conformable PC part also has the advantage of being easily adaptable to all types of tanks. For example, it is sufficient to define the dimensions required for the tank in question, for example, using a roll of tarpaulin, cut it, and then insert the cut ends into the support bars. This is much simpler than with a rigid container-type solution.

[0033] These PBM, DBM support bars are intended to interact with a PLQ, DLQ plate which is described in more detail later.

[0034] The DA fastening device also includes a plurality of straps SI, S2, S3. These straps SI, S2, S3 are in this instance arranged parallel in the present embodiment because the DA fastening device is intended to be installed on a cylindrical tank (see figures 1 to 3 and [Fig.7]).

[0035] Each strap SI, S2, S3 comprises a first end PES1, PES2, PES3 and a second end DES1, DES2, DES3, opposite the first end PES1, PES2, PES3. The various first strap ends are all connected to the same first connecting bar PBC of said straps. Similarly, the various second strap ends are all connected to the same second connecting bar DBC of said straps.

[0036] The DA attachment device therefore also includes the PBC, DBC connection bars of said straps. These PBC, DBC connecting bars are in fact rigid, as are the PBM, DBM support bars described previously. These PBC, DBC connecting bars can in particular be made of a metallic material.

[0037] The DA attachment device also includes the PLQ and DLQ plates, which were briefly described previously. These plates are rigid, as are the PBM and DBM support bars described previously.

[0038] Thus, the DA attachment device more specifically comprises a first plate PLQ which is provided with two parallel longitudinal guides GLU, GL12. A first longitudinal guide GL11 of the first PLQ plate is intended to receive the first retaining bar PBM connected to said conformable part PC. A second longitudinal guide GL12 of the first PLQ plate is intended to receive the first connecting bar PBC of said straps SI, S2, S3.

[0039] Thus, the DA attachment device more specifically comprises a second DLQ plate also equipped with two parallel longitudinal guides GL21, GL22. A first longitudinal guide GL21 of the second DLQ plate is designed to receive the second retaining bar DBM connected to said conformable part PC. A second longitudinal guide GL22 of the second DLQ plate is designed to receive the second connecting bar DBC of said straps SI, S2, S3. In practice, the two PLQ, DLQ plates are advantageously identical. The PLQ, DLQ plates can, in particular, be made of a metallic material.

[0040] With the DA attachment device according to the invention, each plate PLQ, DLQ distributes the tension applied by the straps SI, S2, S3, which is concentrated at the ends of said straps, into a continuous and homogeneous tension applied to the ends PE, DE of the conformable part PC. This effect can be visualized with the arrows shown in [Fig. 4] (upper part: 3 arrows representing the tensions applied by the straps; lower part: effect on the side of the conformable part PC). The final tension applied by the DA attachment device to the self-sealing plates PAO is shown in [Fig. 7]. The self-sealing plates are then held firmly against the outer wall of the tank and can therefore perform their function in the event of an impact, for example, from a bullet that punctures the tank RES.

[0041] Advantageously, the PBM, DBM support bars, the PBC, DBC connecting bars, and the GLU, GL12, GL21, GL22 longitudinal guides of the PLQ, DLQ plates all have a circular cross-section. Within each GLU, GL12, GL21, GL22 longitudinal guide, a pivot joint is defined, providing one degree of rotational freedom between the conformable part PC and each PLQ, DLQ plate, as well as between the SI, S2, S3 straps and each PLQ, DLQ plate. Thus, when tightening the straps, the tensioning of the conformable part is facilitated. Consequently, a uniform pressurization of the various self-sealing plates against the tank.

[0042] In the preceding description, it should be noted that the first retaining bar PBM for the conformable part PC, the first connecting bar PBC for the straps SI, S2, S3, and the first plate PLQ together form a first connection means MARI between the straps SI, S2, S3 and the conformable part PC. Similarly, the second retaining bar DBM for the conformable part PC, the second connecting bar DBC for the straps SI, S2, S3, and the second plate DLQ together form a second connection means MAR2 between the straps SI, S2, S3 and the second plate DLQ.

[0043] In an alternative embodiment, it is conceivable to provide another design for each of the connection means MARI, MAR2.

[0044] Thus, and as shown in [Fig. 8], each connection means MARI, MAR2 between the straps SI, S2, S3 and the conformable part PC can be in the form of a bar extending along the entire end of the conformable part PC and onto which the various strap ends are mounted. This bar then receives both the ends of each of the straps and the end of the conformable part PC. To achieve this, the end of the conformable part PC has a series of contact areas with the bar that protrude locally. The bar distributes the tension applied by the straps SI, S2, S3, which is concentrated at the ends of said straps, into a tension applied continuously and relatively homogeneously on the ends PE, DE of the conformable part PC. The bar can be cylindrical or otherwise shaped. The bar can be made of a metallic material.

[0045] Furthermore, in the embodiment discussed in support of Figures 1 to 7, we have presented a DA attachment device adapted for a cylindrical tank. The tank can take many other shapes, and therefore it may be necessary to hold self-sealing plates in position on very different tank shapes.

[0046] Figure 9 illustrates, for example, a case where the fastening device according to the invention is designed to hold self-sealing plates in position against a domed or semi-domed reservoir. In this particular case, the MAR connection means is of the type described in Figures 1 to 7, namely with a PLQ plate. Of course, a MAR connection means similar to that described in Figure 8 is entirely conceivable.

[0047] The invention also relates to an assembly ENS comprising a reservoir RES, for example suitable for containing gasoline, a plurality of contiguous self-sealing plates PAO and an attachment device DA confirms the invention, said self-sealing plates PAO sealing valves being mounted against an external PEXT wall of the tank by means of the DA attachment device.

[0048] The invention finally relates to a method for assembling an ENS assembly as described above, said method comprising the following steps: a) Place the PAO self-sealing plates tightly against the RES tank, b) mount the DA fastening device around said self-sealing PAO plates, and c) tighten the straps SI, S2, S3 of the DA fastening device in order to hold the self-sealing plates against the outer wall of the tank.

[0049] The plates may, for example, have a sticky effect to ensure they stay in place against the tank before the fastening device is mounted and the straps are tightened.

Claims

Demands

1. Attachment device (AD) for self-sealing plates against an external wall of a tank, said attachment device comprising: - a conformable part (CP) to the shape of said self-sealing plates, said part having a first end (PE) and a second end (DE) opposite the first end, - a plurality of straps (SI, S2, S3) each having a first end (PES1) of strap and a second end (DES1, DES2, DES3) of strap opposite the first end of strap, - a first connection means (MARI) between the straps (SI, S2, S3) and the conformable part (CP), said first connection means (MARI) connecting the various first ends of strap to the first end of the conformable part (CP);and - a second connection means (MAR2) between the straps (SI, S2, S3) and the conformable part (PC), said second connection means (MAR2) connecting the various second strap ends to the second end of the conformable part (PC).;

2. Attachment device according to claim 1, wherein each connection means between the straps (SI, S2, S3) and the conformable part (PC) is in the form of a bar (BAR) extending along the entire end of the conformable part and on which the various strap ends are mounted.

3. Attachment device according to claim 1, wherein: - the first connection means (MARI) comprises a first retaining bar (PBM) for said conformable part (PC) and a first connecting bar (PBC) for the straps (SI, S2, S3) on which all the first strap ends are mounted, and a first plate (PLQ) provided with two parallel longitudinal guides (GLU, GL12), a first longitudinal guide (GL11) of the first plate receiving the first retaining bar (PBM) for said conformable part (PC), and a second longitudinal guide (GL12) of the first plate (PLQ) receiving the first connecting bar (PBC) of said straps (SI, S2, S3), and - the second connection means (MAR2) includes a second retaining bar (DBM) for said conformable part (PC), a second connecting bar (DBC) for the straps (SI, S2, S3) on which all the second strap ends are mounted and a second plate (DLQ) also provided with two longitudinal guides (GL21, GL22) parallel to each other, a first longitudinal guide (GL21) of the second plate (DLQ) receiving the second retaining bar (DBM) for said conformable part and a second longitudinal guide (GL22) of the second plate receiving the second connecting bar (DBC) of said straps (SI, S2, S3).

4. Attachment device (AD) according to claim 3, wherein the retaining bars (PBM, DBM), the connecting bars (PBC, DBC) and the longitudinal guides (GLU, GL12; GL21, GL22) all have a circular cross-section.

5. Attachment device (AD) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the connecting bars (PBC, DBC) of the straps are made of a metallic material.

6. Attachment device (AD) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the plates (PLQ, DLQ) are made of a metallic material.

7. Attachment device (AD) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the retaining bars (PBM, DBM) of the conformable part (PC) are made of a metallic material.

8. Attachment device (AD) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said conformable part is selected from: a canvas, a film made with a solid plastic material or a canvas covered with a solid plastic material, for example tarp.

9. Assembly (ENS) comprising a tank (RES), for example suitable for containing gasoline, a plurality of contiguous self-sealing plates (PAO) and a fastening device (DA) according to any one of the preceding claims, said plates being mounted against an external wall (PEXT) of the tank by means of said fastening device.

10. A method for assembling an assembly (ENS) according to the preceding claim, said method comprising the following steps: a) placing the self-sealing plates (PAO) contiguously against the reservoir (RES), b) mounting the fastening device (DA) around said self-sealing plates shutters (PAO) c) tighten the straps (SI, S2, S3) of the fastening device (DA) in order to hold the self-sealing plates against the outer wall of the tank.