The design, manufacture and qualification of flexible fuel cells

Abstract

The increasing use of helicopters has naturally created demands for improved safety and performance from many of the aircraft’s systems. If the passengers and crew are to survive a crash or even a “heavy landing”, especially from the effects of a ballistic attack, it is vitally important that the aircraft fuel system is also crashworthy. Traditionally, flexible fuel cells have been employed which were constructed of fabric coated with nitrile rubber, with the emphasis being on constraining the forces involved, particularly in a forced landing. This understandably led to heavy fuel cells that were inflexible and difficult to install. Examines the new materials and techniques and the development of significantly lighter, more flexible systems in the construction of crashworthy cells and compares their characteristics and specifications.

Citation

Butler, M. (1997), "The design, manufacture and qualification of flexible fuel cells", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 69 No. 3, pp. 241-246. https://doi.org/10.1108/00022669710172692