US 12,344,461 B2
Self-folding bladder
Michael D. Nevinsky, Ridley Park, PA (US); and David T. Misciagna, Ridley Park, PA (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Feb. 15, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/672,497.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/195,683, filed on Jun. 1, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0380117 A1, Dec. 1, 2022
Int. Cl. B65D 88/52 (2006.01); B60K 15/03 (2006.01); B64D 37/02 (2006.01); B64D 37/04 (2006.01); B64D 37/00 (2006.01)
CPC B65D 88/52 (2013.01) [B60K 15/03177 (2013.01); B64D 37/02 (2013.01); B64D 37/04 (2013.01); B64D 37/005 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A bladder comprising:
a bladder wall comprising first dimensions;
a first port disposed in the bladder wall;
a first plurality of knitted seams stitched into a first pattern in the bladder wall, wherein the first pattern is configured such that when the bladder wall is subjected to a compressive force, the bladder collapses into a first pre-determined shape comprising second dimensions less than the first dimensions; and
a second plurality of knitted seams stitched into a second pattern in the bladder wall, wherein the second pattern is configured such that when the bladder wall is subjected to the compressive force, the bladder collapses into a combination of the first pre-determined shape and a second pre-determined shape different than the first pre-determined shape.