Formed materials and strips used in fuel tanks and to prevent explosive reactions

Abstract

The invention relates to a stamped or braided form of a solid material or foil that can be inserted into a tank or container, for example to prevent an explosion of fuel inside the tank. Various combinations of materials can be used to produce the forms and braids. In a preferred embodiment, two or more stamped, helical forms of a metal foil material are interlocked or linked together, and a wire or fiber is placed at least partially in the center of one of the helical forms. This structure presents advantageous properties when used in fuel tanks, and resists deformation. In addition, certain forms or structures can be designed and used so they can be easily removed from the container or tank.

1 . An anti-explosive product capable of being inserted into a fuel tank or container, comprising at least two helical or braided structures, wherein each structure can be of a different material and substantially impervious to a fuel or combustible composition, and wherein the two structures are linked at one or more points along the length of each.  
   
   
       2 . The anti-explosive product of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel is gasoline.  
   
   
       3 . The anti-explosive product of  claim 1 , wherein one helical structure represents a 5-sided polygon wherein the helical structure completes about one turn every fifth side or external surface.  
   
   
       4 . The anti-explosive product of  claim 1 , wherein at least one structure is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.  
   
   
       5 . The anti-explosive product of  claim 1 , wherein at least one structure is made of stainless steel.  
   
   
       6 . The anti-explosive product of  claim 1 , wherein at least one structure is made of carbon fiber or a polymer.  
   
   
       7 . The anti-explosive product of  claim 1 , wherein at least one structure is made of titanium or a titanium alloy.  
   
   
       8 . The anti-explosive product of  claim 1 , wherein the product is cut to a size capable of being placed into the mouth of a gasoline tank.  
   
   
       9 . The anti-explosive product of  claim 1 , wherein the product is formed into a size and shape that is capable of reforming if a tank that holds it is crushed and then reformed to near its original size.  
   
   
       10 . The anti-explosive product of  claim 1 , wherein the structures used are coated.  
   
   
       11 . The anti-explosive product of  claim 1 , further comprising a wire or solid fiber inserted through the center of at least one helical structure.  
   
   
       12 . A method of forming an anti-explosive product, comprising providing a strand or ribbon of a desired material and less than about 20 mm in width and less than about 3 mm in thickness, stamping or braiding the strand or ribbon into one or more helical structures, and cutting the strand or ribbon to formed a desired, final size and shape, wherein the product can be inserted into the mouth of a tank or container, and wherein the product substantially holds its form if the exterior of the tank or container is partially compressed or deformed.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the strand or ribbon is made of aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, or carbon fiber.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least two strands or ribbons are produced and one helical structure is formed to fold or be braided substantially inside the other.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein one strand is a 5-sided helical structure and another strand is a 3- or more sided helical structure.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising providing a wire or fiber and inserting the wire or fiber at least partially into the center of one of more helical structures.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the strand or ribbon is coated.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the strand or ribbon is stamped into a 5-sided helical structure that completes a turn every five sides.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the strand or ribbon is stamped into a 6-sided helical structure that completes a turn every six sides.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the strand or ribbon is stamped into a 7-sided helical structure that completes a turn every seven sides.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the strand or ribbon is stamped into a 8-sided helical structure that completes a turn every eight sides.  
   
   
       22 . A product made from the method of  claim 12 .  
   
   
       23 . A product made from the method of  claim 13 .  
   
   
       24 . A product made from the method of  claim 18 .  
   
   
       25 . A product made from the method of  claim 19 .  
   
   
       26 . A product made from the method of  claim 20 .  
   
   
       27 . A product made from the method of  claim 21 .  
   
   
       28 . A braided or formed structure capable of being inserted into a container and filling a desired volume of the container, the structure comprising first and second helical forms of strips of metal foil, the foil being less than about 3 mm in thickness, wherein the first helical form can be linked with or be incorporated inside the helices of the second helical form, and further comprising a wire or fiber that is placed at least partially inside the center of the helices of the first or second helical form.  
   
   
       29 . The braided or formed structure of  claim 28 , wherein the metal foil is selected from aluminum foil, stainless steel foil, aluminum alloy foil, and titanium alloy foil.  
   
   
       30 . The braided or formed structure of  claim 28 , wherein the foil is coated.  
   
   
       31 . The braided or formed structure of  claim 28 , wherein the foil is coated with an anti-biological agent or adhesive.