A system and method fare disclosed for inerting a protected space. Process water is delivered to an anode of an electrochemical cell where a portion of the process water is electrolyzed to form protons and oxygen. The protons are transferred across the separator to the cathode, and process water is directed through a process water fluid flow path including a first side of a membrane. Gas is transferred to a second side of the membrane to form a de-gassed process water on the first side of the membrane, and the de-gassed process water is recycled to the anode. Air is delivered to the cathode and oxygen is reduced at the cathode to generate oxygen-depleted air. The oxygen-depleted air is directed from the cathode of the electrochemical cell along an inerting gas flow path to the protected space.

A liquid storage system comprising: a tank for containing a liquid, the tank enclosing a liquid storage space; and a tank liner fixedly attached to an internal surface of the tank (16). The tank liner comprises: a plurality of elements, each element having a hardness value of 2 GPa or above; and a binder material in which the plurality of elements are embedded. The elements have a higher hardness value than the binder material. A distance between a first element and the internal surface of the tank in a direction normal to the internal surface of the tank is different to a distance between a second element and the internal surface of the tank in the direction normal to the internal surface of the tank, the first element being different to the second element.

A method utilizing quantities of flexible foam material inserted into a fuel tank, thereby providing ignition mitigation and minimizing the risk of explosion in the tank. The foam material is sculpted into a few, or a substantial quantity of foam blocks. In large-scale installations, the blocks are labeled according to exact placement within a stacking pattern that replicates the tank interior. The blocks are inserted by technicians through existing access ports until the tank is filled, excepting minimal planned void spaces. The foam material establishes ignition mitigation by acting as an ignition blocker, mechanically interfering with the compression wave created by a flame front in an explosion, and changing the vaporous mixture-above the fuel level in the tank. Upon completion of foam insertion, the fuel tank is filled with purging fluid, drained through a filter until no debris is found, and a new maximum fuel quantity recalibrated.

A kinetic energy absorptive composite article includes a ply containing multiple substantially parallel fibers having inherent failure strains and having inherent moduli. A matrix material at least partially encapsulates the ply. The ply includes multiple lower strength length portions or multiple lower modulus length portions. The multiple lower strength length portions are distributed along individual fibers of the multiple fibers and have failure strains less than the inherent failure strains. The multiple lower modulus length portions are distributed along individual fibers of the multiple fibers and have moduli less than the inherent moduli. A designated pattern of the lower strength length portions or of the lower modulus length portions is distributed to selected locations identified in the ply. An absorptive method includes distributing a load across the designated pattern when the ply receives a force from kinetic energy.

This fuel tank dam closes a gap between a first structural component fixed to the inside surface of the outer plate of a fuel tank and a second structural component provided with a cutout part into which the first structural component is inserted. This fuel tank dam includes: a first portion that can be fixed to the first structural component; a second portion that has a surface extending in a direction intersecting with the first portion and can be fixed to the second structural component; and a third portion that has a bellows and is disposed between the first portion and the second portion. This fuel tank dam is configured such that the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion are integrated, the bellows has a thickness of 0.381 to 1.524 mm, and the second portion has a thickness of 0.762 to 7.620 mm.

Typical composite panels are brittle and unable to support transverse pressure loads that might be imposed on the panels. For example, the use of typical panels around fuel tanks of a vehicle are unable to support transverse pressure loads that might be imposed on the fuel tanks during a crash of the vehicle or a ballistic impact to the fuel tanks. In the embodiments described herein, panels include face sheets that are bonded to a foam core. The foam core includes a corrugated core sheet that is formed from a highly ductile material, such as Polyethylene or Aluminum. When a transverse pressure load is imposed on the panel, core crush of the foam occurs as the core sheet elongates from its original corrugated shape to a curve shape during deformation. This allows the panel to dissipate the energy of the transverse pressure load applied to the panel.

A storage system is provided in one example embodiment and may include a storage device that may include a plurality of outer walls; and a liner that covers one or more of the outer walls, wherein the liner comprises a woven material that is puncture-resistant. A storage device is provided in another example embodiment and may include a plurality of outer walls, wherein at least one of the outer walls comprises a woven material that is puncture-resistant. A vehicle is provided in another example embodiment and may include a fuel system that includes a fuel cell. The fuel cell may include a plurality of outer walls, and at least one of: a puncture-resistant liner covers one or more of the outer walls; and one or more of the outer walls comprises a woven material that is puncture resistant.

A reinforced composite article includes a first ply, a second ply, and a third ply. A first interface material is between the first ply and the second ply. A second interface material is between the second ply and the third ply. A designated pattern of material property variation, geometric structure variation, spatial variation, or combinations thereof is distributed to selected locations identified in the first interface material or distributed between selected locations identified in the first interface material compared to the second interface material. The pattern is sufficient to measurably vary adhesion, toughness, strength, modulus, or combinations thereof. The article allows distribution of a load across the pattern when the first, second, and third plies receive a force from kinetic energy above a separation threshold by partially delaminating the first ply from the second ply, the second ply from the third ply, or both.

A kinetic energy absorptive composite article includes a ply containing multiple substantially parallel fibers having inherent failure strains and having inherent moduli. A matrix material at least partially encapsulates the ply. The ply includes multiple lower strength length portions or multiple lower modulus length portions. The multiple lower strength length portions are distributed along individual fibers of the multiple fibers and have failure strains less than the inherent failure strains. The multiple lower modulus length portions are distributed along individual fibers of the multiple fibers and have moduli less than the inherent moduli. A designated pattern of the lower strength length portions or of the lower modulus length portions is distributed to selected locations identified in the ply. An absorptive method includes distributing a load across the designated pattern when the ply receives a force from kinetic energy.

A method for inerting a protected space. Process water is delivered to an anode of an electrochemical cell where a portion of the process water is electrolyzed to form protons and oxygen. The protons are transferred across the separator to the cathode, and process water is directed through a process water fluid flow path including a first side of a membrane. Gas is transferred to a second side of the membrane to form a de-gassed process water on the first side of the membrane, and the de-gassed process water is recycled to the anode. Air is delivered to the cathode and oxygen is reduced at the cathode to generate oxygen-depleted air. The oxygen-depleted air is directed from the cathode of the electrochemical cell along an inerting gas flow path to the protected space.