Blast resistant liner for use in limited access enclosures

Abstract

The invention is an explosive resistant liner, located inside an enclosed space, and made from a blast resistant material. The liner is preferably constructed inside the enclosed space, consisting of lay-up, curing and assembly steps utilizing a collapsible tool. The invention is particularly applicable to blast protection for aircraft cargo holds.

1 . A liner for an enclosed space, wherein the liner is constructed of a blast resistant composite material configured as a rigid pressure vessel structure capable of mitigating overpressure from a blast originating within the pressure vessel.  
   
   
       2 . The liner of  claim 1  wherein the composite material comprises a resin matrix with a fiber reinforcement.  
   
   
       3 . The liner of  claim 2  wherein the fiber reinforcement is an aramid material.  
   
   
       4 . The liner of  claim 2  wherein the fiber reinforcement is S-2 glass.  
   
   
       5 . The liner of  claim 2  wherein the fiber reinforcement is a graphite or carbon fiber.  
   
   
       6 . The liner of  claim 1  wherein the liner is fabricated inside the enclosed space.  
   
   
       7 . The liner of  claim 6 , wherein the liner is constructed as a segmented three piece self-contained pressure vessel with an end cap at each end.  
   
   
       8 . The liner of  claim 7  wherein the pieces are laid up and cured on a collapsible tool.  
   
   
       9 . The liner of  claim 8  wherein the laying up and curing is accomplished with a Vacuum Infusion Process.  
   
   
       10 . The liner of  claim 7  wherein the pieces are assembled into a pressure vessel within the interior space such that in the event of an explosion, dilation of the liner is allowed.  
   
   
       11 . The liner of  claim 1  wherein the enclosed space is an aircraft cargo hold, whereby the amount of liner dilation is limited in order to avoid contact with and load transfer to the aircraft fuselage.  
   
   
       12 . The liner of  claim 11  wherein the composite thickness is 6-12 plies (4-8 mm) and the weight is 1.5 to 3.0 pounds per square foot.  
   
   
       13 . The liner of  claim 11  wherein a doorway is left in the liner and including an oversized internal door constructed of blast resistant liner material.  
   
   
       14 . The liner of  claim 1  wherein the enclosed space is a room where explosives are stored or processed.  
   
   
       15 . The liner of  claim 1  wherein the enclosed space is the interior of an existing shipping container,  
   
   
       16 . The liner of  claim 1  wherein the enclosed space is a cargo hold on a vehicle or ship.  
   
   
       17 . A method of lining a cargo hold with a blast resistant composite material, comprising; 
 first fabricating forward and aft hold bulkheads (i.e. pressure vessel end caps) in-situ and attaching to a cargo hold floor,    next fabricating a floor segment in-situ and attaching to the end caps as well as the cargo hold floor,    then fabricating all left hand side cargo hold segments, starting at the forward end cap and proceeding to the aft end cap such that each segment is bolted to a neighboring flange associated with the adjacent segment; and,    fabricating right hand side segments, alternating between fore and aft until all segments converge at the main cargo door(s) where doorway cutouts are incorporated, such that an oversized inside door is attached to the cargo hold which becomes self sealing upon pressurization of the cargo hold.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising using a collapsible tool to facilitate in-situ fabrication.  
   
   
       19 . A method for adding a blast resistant cargo hold liner to an existing cargo hold, wherein the cargo hold has a door with dimensions smaller than the dimensions of the internal space, comprising; 
 bringing into the hold's interior space collapsible tooling through the existing door,    laying up and curing liner sections on the collapsible tool, wherein the sections are constructed of a blast resistant composite,    collapsing and removing the tool from the hold; and,    assembling the cured sections into a pressure vessel and attaching the pressure vessel to the interior of the hold.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the sections include mating flanges, which are mechanically fastened using through bolts which are all accessed from inside the pressure vessel.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the segments include at least three liner segments and at least two liner endcaps.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the composite material comprises a resin matrix with a fiber reinforcement.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the fiber reinforcement is an aramid material.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the fiber reinforcement is S-2 glass.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the fiber reinforcement is a graphite or carbon fiber.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the laying up and curing is accomplished with a Vacuum Infusion Process.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the pieces are assembled into a pressure vessel within the interior space such that in the event of an explosion, dilation of the liner is allowed.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the cargo hold is an aircraft cargo hold whereby the amount of liner dilation is limited in order to avoid contact with and load transfer to the aircraft fuselage.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the composite thickness is 6-12 plies (4-8 mm) and the weight is 1.5 to 3.0 pounds per square foot.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 19  wherein a doorway is left in the liner and includes an oversized internal door constructed of blast resistant liner material.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the cargo hold is a room where explosives are stored or processed.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the cargo hold is the interior of an existing shipping container,  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the cargo hold is a cargo hold on a vehicle or ship.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the resin matrix is a vinyl ester resin.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the resin matrix is a vinyl ester resin.