Abstract: A waterbed mattress comprising an external envelope is provided with an internal layer of viscous, polymeric sealing material for sealing punctures in the mattress. The polymeric material can be polybutene filled with a particulate filler. The sealing material can be sandwiched between two layers of polyethylene to form an internal liner assembly that conforms generally to the shape of the external envelope of the waterbed mattress.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fabrication technique for, and the structure of, a flexible self-sealing fuel tank having a preactivated sealant constructed by laying-up over an innerliner, positioned on a form, prefabricated panels having a self-sealant member stitched into a rubber-coated outer wrap.

Abstract: A flexible, fabric-reinforced, complex-shaped container comprises a fabric reinforcement material and at least one facing layer of a polymeric or elastomeric material, said fabric comprised of yarns capable of changing their effective lengths upon being shaped to a complex mold configuration and thereafter maintained in that shaped condition by curing of the composite material. The method of the invention comprises applying a differential pressure to the fabric reinforced composite in a concave mold having the desired complex configuration to move the composite into the mold cavities as the effective length of the yarns change to conform to the mold and thereafter curing of the composite so as to set the composite to the mold shape.

Abstract: A laminated barrier comprising alternate layers of rigidized low density lular material and ballistic nylon cloth useful in an aircraft for minimizing projectile and shrapnel damage, and possible fuel ignition in the fuselage caused by groundfire in the vicinity of fuel tanks located adjacent to the engines.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fabrication technique for, and the structure of, a flexible self-sealing fuel tank having a preactivated sealant constructed by laying-up over an innerliner, positioned on a form, prefabricated panels having a self-sealant member stitched into a rubber-coated outer wrap.

Abstract: A composite or metal baffel system around a fuel tank collapses after punre from an explosive round. The collapse is caused by the overpressure that follows penetration. The collapse delays fuel leakage until the incendiary effect of the explosive round is passed. The delay of fuel leakage is caused by the time it takes for fuel to follow a serpentine path through the collapsed baffel system.

Abstract: A flexible self-sealing wall member for fuel tanks has a plurality of thin layers of natural or synthetic rubber which are held together at spaced points by lines of drop thread stitching or by spots of adhesive so that the sheets are free to move across each other between the points of connection. The wall may also include a reinforcing fabric web, an outside barrier layer, and an inside barrier layer, both impermeable to fuel held in the tank of which the wall member forms a part. The wall member is self-sealing when penetrated by a projectile because the rubber layers undergo large dynamic elongations and rapidly recover to close up the holes formed, these holes generally being out of alignment.

Abstract: A mehod of preparing a resealable valve which has a resealable inner core and an outer reinforced cover comprises first molding a hollow shell having a domed top and a bottom with a central opening, then turning the shell inside out and affixing a layer containing reinforcing fabric to the inside of the domed top, next turning the shell right side out and covering the bottom including the central opening with a layer containing reinforcing fabric to complete the cover, filling the thus formed cover with an uncured elastomer and finally curing the cover and its elastomer contents to form the resealable valve.

Abstract: A tire having a coating of a gelled non-volatile lubricating material disposed on at least the interior surface of the tread to facilitate relative movement between contacting portions of the interior surface of the tire when the tire is driven deflated. The coating is incapable of flowing away from the portion of the interior surface to which it is applied either under gravity or under the forces generated inside a tire during inflated running.

Abstract: A repair patch made of fabric coated with weldable plastics material for repairing sheets and used as covers for goods vehicle or containers. The patch comprises a sealing strip of weldable plastics material for sealing the circumference of the material of the patch to a sheet by welding, and the sealing strip is non-detachably connected to the material of the patch leaving a projecting margin of the strip which is to be welded to the sheet.To provide a preliminary connection, the sealing strip may be connected to the material of the patch by welding or bonding.

Abstract: A puncture-sealing tubeless pneumatic tire having an inner layer of soft, tacky, extensible sealant consisting of (1) at least one vinylidene-terminated liquid polymer and (2) at least one amine.

Abstract: A puncture-sealing tubeless pneumatic tire having an inner layer of soft, tacky, extensible sealant consisting of (1) at least one vinylidene-terminated liquid polymer and (2) at least one amine.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having, between two vulcanized elastomeric partitions, a layer of a sealing mixture arranged on the inner wall of the cavity of the tire, at least below the crown and from one shoulder to the other, is improved due to the fact that the layer of sealing mixture has a base of at least one vulcanizable elastomer of low molecular weight, preferably less than 30,000, contains at least one component of a vulcanization system for the vulcanizable elastomer and has an apparent viscosity of between 10.sup.3 and 10.sup.7 N/s/m.sup.2 at 60.degree. Celsius measured with a Weissenberg rheogoniometer at a shear velocity gradient of 10.sup.-2 to 10.degree.s.sup.31 1 ; at least one other component which forms the vulcanization system with the component contained in the sealing mixture being contained in a dispersion within the cavity of the tire.

Abstract: A tire whose inner wall is provided, below the crown of the tire and at least from one shoulder to the other of the tread, with a lining containing at least one means for sealing puncture holes is improved due to the fact that the lining comprises at least one layer of a vulcanizable sealing mixture separated by a vulcanized elastomeric partition from at least one layer of a vulcanizing mixture capable of vulcanizing the vulcanizable sealing mixture, each of the layers containing between 20% and 100% by weight of an elastomer of low molecular weight, preferably less than 30,000.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire whose inner wall is provided beneath the crown with a lining which extends at least from one shoulder to the other of the tread and comprises a layer of a sealing mixture capable of flowing into a puncture hole, the layer being covered radially inward by a vulcanized elastomeric partition, is improved due to the fact that the layer of sealing mixture has a base of at least one elastomer of low molecular weight, preferably less than 30,000, mixed with at least one thermosetting resin, and due to the fact that at least one cross-linking agent or hardener for the thermosetting resin is isolated from the layer of sealing mixture by means of a vulcanized elastomeric partition arraged radially inward of the layer of sealing mixture.

Abstract: A puncture sealing apparatus for handing a fluid such as aircraft fuel, and a method for manufacturing a puncture sealing apparatus for handling a fluid. A metallic tubular member is provided which defines a chamber for the fluid; the metallic tubular member being constructed of a material which tends to deform outwardly upon a projectile exiting the chamber. A layer of puncture sealing material is disposed in covering relation to the metallic tubular member. An overwrap of filament material is wound directly onto the metallic tubular member in a predetermined winding pattern, and at a predetermined wrap tension, and the coating of puncture sealing material is disposed in covering relationship to the overwrapped metallic tubular member.

Abstract: Self-sealing pneumatic tire having a oil treated, integral, thin, covulcanized, resilient, rubber, closed cell structure on its inner surface in which the vulcanized rubber of said closed cell structure contains compounded rubber processing oil and, in its vulcanized state, is further treated to absorb an additional non-volatile oil.

Abstract: The applicator includes two elongated conveyor rollers arranged in parallel alignment and inclined from a sealant application station toward a tire unloading station. The rollers simultaneously rotate a series of tires in the same direction about a common axis in side-by-side engagement with one end tire adjacent the sealant application station and the other end tire adjacent the unloading station. A kicker assembly unloads the latter end tire, whereupon the rollers advance the remaining tires toward the unloading station while maintaining coaxial rotation thereof. A fresh tire then may be positioned at the application station and the application and advancement steps repeated. The applicator further includes a sealant applicator for effecting airless spray application of sealant to a tire, together with a control system for controlling the position of the spray applicator and causing sealant to be purged a predetermined time after no sealant application is made.

Abstract: Construction parts are protected against lightening by a layer which releases a cloud of ionized and ionizable particles to spread the area affected by the lightening flash and to fan out the current path. The layer may include additives which swell when heated to increase the volume and density of the cloud. An electrically and thermal conductive layer or two such layers each having predominantly one of these properties is provided underneath the releasing layer.

Abstract: A puncture-sealing pneumatic tire has a soft, vulcanized inner layer consisting of cis-polyisoprene rubber and/or natural rubber. The inner layer is preferably coated with a polyolefin polymer that flows into punctures at operating temperatures and said polyolefin polymer adheres to the inner layer by means of surface tension alone.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a sealant material to be primarily used in pneumatic tires to seal punctures made by external objects, such as nails. The sealant may be in a single layer or a laminate of sealant layer and covered layers. The sealant layer contains a material that is at least partially degraded by irradiation or heat in the presence of a peroxide. The laminate may be in sheet or strip form with various cross-sectional shapes. The layers in the laminate comprise rubber compounds, some of which may contain agents which either assist or retard cure by irradiation so that the layers will have different physical characteristics during the manufacture of end products containing the laminate. The laminate may be cured by any known method, either irradiation or thermal, after its assembly into the final product.

Abstract: An uninflated unmounted tire is supported in a frame of the apparatus for engagement with a sealant applicator head that contacts the interior tire liner after a bead spreading device on the frame spreads apart the tire beads, and an elevator member on the frame raises the tire. The applicator head has a tire engaging profile corresponding to that of the tire and an elongated opening for which highly viscous, sticky sealant is discharged onto the tire liner under the tread in a layer of predetermined cross section as the tire is rotated on the frame past the applicator head. A complete coating of sealant is applied during one revolution of the tire, with the sealant having a butt joint, or an overlapping splice formed when the elevator member is lowered a predetermined amount by a drop-off mechanism as the tire completes one revolution of sealant application.

Abstract: A self-sealing multi-laminated fuel line composite material composed of (a) a plastic fuel line, (b) a precompressed and fuel sensitive foam bonded to said plastic line, and (c) a flexible, plastic laminate bonded on top of said foam.

Abstract: A self-sealing fuel tank which utilizes elongated nonself-adhering polymer ibers attached to the inner surface of the tank wall and interwoven to form a carpet-like liner for efficiently sealing large tears and cored holes. After penetration of the tank wall by a large or tumbling projectile, escaping fluid causes nearby elongated fibers to be swept into the hole, thereby choking the escaping fluid flow. Conventional small caliber self-sealant incorporated in the tank wall then flows into the hole choked by fibers and completes the seal.

Abstract: A coated abrasion-resistant optical element, such as an eyeglass lens, formed of a typical rigid polymeric substrate of relatively low scratch resistance coated on at least one surface with a relatively soft, resilient, and tough transparent polymeric material. The essential characteristics of the coating material resulting in an abrasion-resistant protective film for the optical element are disclosed.

Abstract: Pneumatic tire including a puncture sealing layer which is applied to an inner lining and in which by addition of specific amounts of polyisobutylene and of a particular form of silica with respect to a set amount of polybutene and by use of powdered elastomer having a specific particle size distribution there are achieved optimum values of viscosity and adhesivity and ability to seal even large puncture holes in a wide range of temperature and operating conditions. In addition there is less tendency for puncture sealing layer components to migrate to the inner lining and tire durability is therefore improved.

Abstract: Metal canisters for long-term storage of calcined highlevel radioactive wastes can be made self-sealing against a breach in the canister wall by the addition of powdered cement to the canister with the calcine before it is sealed for storage. Any breach in the canister wall will permit entry of water which will mix with the cement and harden to form a concrete patch, thus sealing the opening in the wall of the canister and preventing the release of radioactive material to the cooling water or atmosphere.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire of the tubeless type, embodying a layer of puncture sealant composition based on a major proportion of low molecular weight liquid elastomer with a minor proportion of a high molecular weight elastomer, containing a crosslinking agent in an amount sufficient to give a partial cure. An example of the composition of the invention is a blend of 60 parts of depolymerized natural rubber and 40 parts of cis-polyisoprene, partially crosslinked by the action of 6 parts of tetra-n-butyl titanate so as to provide a gel content of about 40%.

Abstract: A wall structure characterized by inner and outer wall coverings and positioned therebetween at least one protective inner layer defined by a rib-like formation defining a series of pocket-like spaces between said wall coverings, which spaces embody a protective medium forming with the rib-like formation and said wall coverings a wall structure which is highly resistant to impact, fragmentation or severe damage by piercing. The rib-like formation is of a material selected from the group consisting of precipitation hardening stainless steels, mar-aging nickel steels, alloy steels and titanium alloys and having a yield strength of at least about 200 ksi. The protective medium may include a fire quenching material.

Abstract: A noise-, and vibration-, damping article for use in a building structure is a laminated composite consisting essentially of a backing strip which on each of its two sides is provided with a damping layer comprising a viscoelastic material. At least one of said damping layers includes a granular material receptive to bonding with a material of the building structure.

Abstract: A rubber composition comprising a rubber containing a polymer of ethylene-propylene copolymer or ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer, polybutene and an inorganic filler has an excellent puncture-sealing property. Tubeless tires provided with the rubber composition have a high resistance against the puncture.

Abstract: Laminated container suitable for containing high-temperature lubricating oil which comprises a rigid container having adhered to its outer surface a laminate of outwardly successive adherent laminae comprising a first lamina of rubbery polyfluorohydrocarbon, second lamina of flexible multiple layers of coated textile fabric and, if desired, a third outer rigid lamina of multiple layers of polymer-encapsulated glass fibers.

Abstract: A vehicle tire is disclosed having an internal circumferential layer of self-sealing composition on an internal surface, particularly behind the tire tread. The sealant layer is initially made up of the combination of specific quantities of a high molecular weight curable butyl rubber, a low molecular weight curable butyl rubber, a liquid polybutylene tackifier, a partially hydrogenated block copolymer of styrene and a conjugated diene, carbon black and suitable curing agents for the butyl rubber components. When cured, this sealant layer effectively heals most punctures one-quarter inch in diameter or less in a vehicle tire at temperatures over the range of about - 20.degree. F. to 270.degree. F. without significant loss of air.