Expanded Metal Mesh Fuel Containers for Explosion Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid containers, such as fuel and gas tanks, face challenges in suppressing combustion and explosion risks while maintaining mechanical integrity, minimizing size and volume, and preventing corrosion, especially during transportation and storage.
Innovation Solution
The use of expanded metallic mesh as a heat conductor and flame quencher in base modules, which are cylindrical in construction and can be combined to form assemblies, providing efficient heat dissipation, mechanical strength, and corrosion resistance, thereby reducing the risk of combustion and explosion without the need for additional baffles or complex configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If expanded metallic mesh is added to suppress combustion, then fire and explosion resistance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous expanded metallic mesh as the core fire suppression component. The mesh's porous structure provides large surface area for heat conduction while maintaining fluid flow capability. The mesh is configured with specific porosity (30-70%) and pore size (0.1-10mm) to balance heat dissipation efficiency with fuel flow requirements, effectively suppressing combustion without adding complex mechanical systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical fire suppression systems (such as active cooling mechanisms, pressure relief devices, or chemical suppressants) with a passive thermal conduction system using expanded metallic mesh. The mesh naturally conducts heat away from the fuel through its high thermal conductivity material (aluminum, copper, or stainless steel), eliminating the need for powered or mechanically complex suppression systems
2Reliability
If base modules are added to suppress combustion, then fire resistance is improved, but volume of container decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin-walled expanded metallic mesh structures that provide fire suppression functionality with minimal volume occupation. The mesh walls (0.1-5mm thickness) are sufficient to conduct heat away from fuel while occupying minimal space within the container, maximizing the remaining volume for fuel storage
Solution Approach 2:
The porous structure of the expanded metallic mesh allows fuel to flow through the walls rather than requiring large internal chambers. This enables effective heat conduction through the mesh walls while maintaining high fuel capacity, as the porous material provides thermal pathways without solidifying large volumes that would reduce storage space
3Reliability
If mesh is used for heat conduction, then fire resistance is improved, but mechanical integrity worsens due to cyclical stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes composite construction by combining expanded metallic mesh with structural support elements. The mesh is integrated with container walls or internal frameworks that provide mechanical strength during cyclical loading (filling, emptying, transportation). This composite approach allows the mesh to perform its fire suppression function while the supporting structure handles mechanical stresses
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes mesh parameters including wire diameter (0.1-5mm), mesh size (1-10mm), and wall thickness (0.1-5mm) to balance fire suppression effectiveness with mechanical strength. By adjusting these parameters, the mesh maintains sufficient structural integrity to withstand cyclical stresses while retaining adequate porosity and surface area for heat conduction
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively enhances the fire and explosion resistance of fluid containers by maximizing packing density, reducing sloshing and evaporation losses, and maintaining mechanical integrity during transportation, while allowing for safe handling and installation on various terrains.
Implementation Method 1
the inventive apparatus of the present invention reduces the ignitability of a system by increasing the heat loss characteristics via large and efficient heat conduction pathways, such as by disposing base modules made of expanded metal mesh inside of the containers
Implementation Method 2
The present invention suppresses the combustion, or tendency to combust, of the fuels and gasses stored within the inventive containers described herein
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes systems, assemblies, and methodologies for inhibiting combustion within fluid containers, enhancing the safety of such containers. One aspect includes a novel fuel containers which take advantage of the inventive principles disclosed herein. In one embodiment a fuel drum includes a plurality of base assemblies arranged in a drum cluster, and disposed within the drum. In another embodiment, a portable fuel container includes a plurality of base assemblies arranged in a can cluster and disposed within the portable fuel container. In yet another embodiment, a plurality of base assemblies are arranged in a cell cluster and disposed within a lattice structure.