Expanded Mesh Fuel Tank Assembly for Flame Quenching and Slosh Control
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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 and 'sloshing' during transportation.
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 for efficient packing within containers, providing thermal conduction, mechanical strength, and corrosion resistance, and are designed to reduce evaporation loss and prevent contamination by metallic particles.
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 and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes expanded metallic mesh with controlled porosity as the core fire suppression mechanism. The mesh structure provides numerous small pathways that conduct heat away from fuel vapors while maintaining open space for fluid flow. This porous material approach achieves fire and explosion resistance without requiring complex active suppression systems, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The expanded metallic mesh operates passively to suppress combustion through its inherent thermal conduction properties. The mesh automatically conducts heat away from ignition sources and fuel vapors without requiring external power, control systems, or active intervention. This self-service mechanism improves fire resistance while minimizing added complexity compared to active 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 expanded metallic mesh base modules occupy minimal volume while providing extensive surface area for heat conduction. The porous structure allows the mesh to suppress combustion effectively without requiring large solid blocks, thus minimizing the volume reduction of the container and resolving the contradiction between fire resistance improvement and container volume.
3Reliability
If expanded metallic mesh is used for heat conduction, then fire resistance is improved, but mechanical integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs expanded metallic mesh composed of interconnected metal strands forming a composite structure. This composite material combines the thermal conduction properties of metal with the structural integrity provided by the interconnected strand network. The mesh achieves fire resistance through heat conduction while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength to withstand container pressures and handling, resolving the contradiction between fire resistance and mechanical integrity.
4Reliability
If base modules are added to prevent sloshing, then transportation safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expanded metallic mesh base modules serve multiple functions simultaneously: fire suppression through heat conduction, sloshing prevention through structural presence, and potential corrosion protection. This multi-functionality improves transportation safety without requiring separate dedicated components for each function, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity and resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and device complexity.
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 fire and explosion resistance, reduces 'sloshing' and evaporation, maintains mechanical integrity, and optimizes packing density, ensuring safe transportation and storage of fuels without the need for additional baffles, while being adaptable to various container shapes and sizes.
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
Implementation Method 2
expanded metallic mesh as a heat conductor and flame quencher
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 base module from which assemblies of varying shape and size, suitable for disposing within a variety of different fluid containers, are created. In one embodiment, the base module is made from an expanded mesh which is rolled in a novel cylindrical configuration according to a novel methodology. In another embodiment, the base module may be combined with other base modules to form an assembly. The present invention is also directed to an apparatus and method for creating base modules which allows for varying density of the base modules and therefore varying flexural strength and rigidity of the assemblies. As such, the packing density of assemblies within containers may be optimized to produce the desired effect of inhibiting combustion within the container.