Abstract: A collapsible fuel tank system for use on aircraft and the like includes a plurality of nestable shell sections which, when assembled in proper edgewise orientation, form a shell for the fuel tank. A nose cone and a number of shell-reinforcing bulkheads are axially spaced within the fuel tank and have a ring-and-groove construction for facilitating manual assembly of a fuel tank. A preassembled fuel management system includes an elongated flexible liner encapsulating the bulkheads and having snap connections for quick attachment to the shell interior. All of the components of a plurality of fuel tanks are housed in a single container for shipping and handling purposes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 2, 1993
Date of Patent:
April 4, 1995
Assignees:
Brunswick Corp., Alcoa Composites, Inc.
Inventors:
Donald D. Baldwin, Randall V. Guest, Randall W. Nish, Robert G. Pearce