Various techniques are provided for an expandable energy absorbing fluid bladder. In one example, the fluid bladder includes a primary portion and a secondary portion. The secondary portion can be configured to expand or increase in volume when the fluid bladder is subjected to a pulse greater than a threshold pulse. Expansion of the secondary portion can allow fluid or additional fluid to flow into the secondary portion and thus decrease a peak pulse and, thus, avoid rupture of the fluid bladder.

The use of flexible foam material to provide ignition mitigation in fuel tanks is described. In one example, a system for ignition mitigation includes a number of foam blocks, wherein each foam block is pre-cut from a flexible foam material. Each foam block can have a unique profile corresponding to inner surfaces of a fuel tank at a particular sector within a compartment of the fuel tank. In other aspects, one or more of the foam blocks can include one or more upper cutouts to provide clearance for upper stiffeners in the fuel tank, one or more lower cutouts to provide clearance for lower stiffeners in the fuel tank, and one or more arcuate cutouts to provide clearance for a tank fuel pump. The foam blocks can be arranged in a stack corresponding to a sequential installation at respective sectors within the compartment of the fuel tank.

A liquid storage tank, for example an aircraft fuel tank, having a tank wall enclosing a liquid storage space, and a tie assembly located at least partially within the liquid storage space. The tie assembly includes an elongate member, for example a wire or cable, and a plurality of attachment devices fixed to an inner surface of the tank wall. The elongate member includes a plurality of spaced part points along its length, each of the spaced apart points being fixed to a respective attachment device such that the tie assembly resists outward deformation of the tank wall.

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.

The use of flexible foam material to provide ignition mitigation in fuel tanks is described. In one example, a system for ignition mitigation includes a number of foam blocks, wherein each foam block is pre-cut from a flexible foam material. Each foam block can have a unique profile corresponding to inner surfaces of a fuel tank at a particular sector within a compartment of the fuel tank. In other aspects, one or more of the foam blocks can include one or more upper cutouts to provide clearance for upper stiffeners in the fuel tank, one or more lower cutouts to provide clearance for lower stiffeners in the fuel tank, and one or more arcuate cutouts to provide clearance for a tank fuel pump. The foam blocks can be arranged in a stack corresponding to a sequential installation at respective sectors within the compartment of the fuel tank.

A fuel tank inerting system includes a cabin air source, a conduit, a heat exchanger, and a pressurized air source. In embodiments, the pressurized air source is configured to provide pressurized air to the heat exchanger, and the conduit is configured to provide cabin air from the cabin air source to the heat exchanger.

Disclosed is a liquid storage system comprising a tank for containing a liquid, said tank enclosing a liquid storage space, and a plurality of spaced apart protrusions extending from an internal surface of the tank into the liquid storage space. The protrusions are resistant to deformation and deflection caused by shockwaves within a liquid in the tank resulting from impact of a projectile with the tank, for example, the protrusions may be rigid and be polygonal prisms in shape.

A liquid storage system comprising: a tank for containing a liquid, the tank enclosing a liquid storage space; multiple layers of a fabric material; and attachment means attaching the multiple layers of the fabric material to an internal surface of the tank. The attachment means may comprise a non-permeable envelope attached to the internal surface of the tank. The multiple layers of the fabric material may be enclosed in the envelope such that the multiple layers of a fabric are isolated from a fluid in the tank. The envelope may contain a fluid (e.g. air) in addition to the multiple layers of the fabric material.

A tanker aircraft capacity extension system shaped to fit within an aircraft cargo area may include a first portable fuel container having a first outlet port adapted to connect to an integral fuel system of the aircraft, and a first inlet port; and a second portable fuel container having a second outlet port adapted to connect to the first inlet port and a second inlet port adapted to connect to a third fuel container; when the second outlet port is connected to the first inlet port and the first outlet port is connected to the integral fuel system of the aircraft, fuel flows from the second fuel container, through the outlet port to the first inlet port into the interior of the first container, and out from the first outlet port of the first container.

A baffle system includes a baffle (40) located in a tank (16) for containing liquid (e.g. an aircraft fuel tank). The baffle (40) is a tubular member through which a liquid may flow. The baffle (40) comprises: a first tubular portion (42) providing a tubular outer wall, and a second tubular portion (44) located within the first tubular portion (42) and providing a tubular inner wall. The first and second tubular portions (42, 44) are substantially parallel. The first and second tubular portions (42, 44) are spaced apart to define a chamber (46) therebetween. The baffle (42, 44) further comprises radial side walls between the first and second tubular portions (42, 44) such that the chamber (46) is a sealed chamber. The chamber (46) may be filled with a compressible gas or gaseous mixture.