Damaged fuel tanks could also rupture, destroying the airframe or critically affecting flight characteristics. This would not only reduce the aircraft's range but was also a significant fire hazard. A conventional fuel tank, when hit by gunfire, could leak fuel rapidly. In the newer generations of pre-war and early-war aircraft, self-sealing tanks were tanks used to minimize the damage from leaking or burning fuel. Howard Hughes used neoprene to self-seal his fuel tanks on his 1938 around the world flight. Martin Company used this self-sealing fuel tank. The order was rescinded by the United States Patent Office on Septemand Murdock was eventually granted United States Patent 1,386,791 "Self-Puncture Sealing Covering for Fuel-Containers" on August 9, 1921. Murdock applied for the patent "War Aeroplane Fuel Tanks" on Februbut was temporarily blocked by an order of the Federal Trade Commission, on February 6, 1918, to keep any discussion or publication of the invention secret. A similar concept is also employed for making self-sealing run-flat tires. When a fuel tank is punctured, the fuel seeps into the layers, causing the untreated layer to swell and thus seal the puncture. Typical self-sealing tanks have layers of rubber and reinforcing fabric, one of vulcanized rubber and one of untreated natural rubber, which can absorb fuel, swell and expand when it comes into contact with the fuel. Fuel container that automatically seals when punctured Self-sealing fuel tank of Me 262Ī self-sealing fuel tank is a type of fuel tank, typically used in aircraft fuel tanks or fuel bladders, that prevents them from leaking fuel and igniting after being damaged.
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