US 11,939,105 B2
3D woven conformable tank
Casey Slane, Richwood, OH (US); Jin Hu, Hudson, OH (US); and Nathaniel Ching, Hartville, OH (US)
Assigned to Goodrich Corporation, Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed by Goodrich Corporation, Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed on Aug. 29, 2017, as Appl. No. 15/689,585.
Prior Publication US 2019/0061986 A1, Feb. 28, 2019
Int. Cl. F17C 1/08 (2006.01); B64D 11/02 (2006.01); B64D 11/04 (2006.01); B64D 37/04 (2006.01); B64D 37/06 (2006.01); B65D 1/40 (2006.01); B65D 88/02 (2006.01); B65D 90/02 (2019.01); F17C 1/06 (2006.01); F17C 1/16 (2006.01)
CPC B65D 1/40 (2013.01) [B64D 11/02 (2013.01); B64D 11/04 (2013.01); B64D 37/04 (2013.01); B64D 37/06 (2013.01); B65D 88/02 (2013.01); B65D 90/02 (2013.01); F17C 1/06 (2013.01); F17C 1/16 (2013.01)] 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A conformable tank comprising:
a body with a plurality of walls defining a cavity in the body, wherein the plurality of walls are formed of a first 3D woven composite material; and
an internal support structure connected to an internal surface of one of the plurality of walls and protruding into the cavity of the body, wherein the internal support structure is formed of a second composite material;
wherein one of the plurality of walls is connected to the internal support structure using a pi joint that is made from the first 3D woven composite;
wherein the pi joint has a first supporting arm and a second supporting arm that are integrally woven into the one of the plurality of walls;
wherein the internal support structure has a length, the internal support structure further comprising a first and second outermost edge each extending the length of the of the internal support structure, and a width measured between the first and second outermost edge having a widest portion;
wherein the widest portion of the internal support structure fits between the first supporting arm and the second supporting arm; and
wherein the plurality of walls further includes:
a flat side wall that includes an inner surface and an outer surface;
a curved side wall that includes an inner surface and an outer surface;
a flat top wall that includes an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the flat top wall extends between and connects the flat side wall and the curved side wall;
a bottom wall that includes an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the bottom wall extends between and connects the flat side wall and the curved side wall;
a front wall that includes an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the front wall contacts and connects the flat side wall, the curved side wall, the top wall, and the bottom wall; and
a rear wall that includes an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the rear wall contacts and connects the flat side wall, the curved side wall, the top wall, and the bottom wall.