Patent ID: 9623814
Date: 2017-04-18
CPC Classifications: B60R,B62D,Y10T

Claim:
1. A reinforced system, comprising: a hollow structure, wherein the hollow structure is elongated in a longitudinal direction; a carrier disposed inside of the hollow structure, the carrier having the following: two exterior walls spaced from one another, wherein each of the exterior walls is elongated in the longitudinal direction; a plurality of longitudinal ribs disposed between the exterior walls that form a plurality of channels between the exterior walls, wherein each channel is defined by one of the following: (i) a combination of one of the exterior walls and one of the ribs opposing the exterior wall, and (ii) a combination of two opposing ribs, wherein each of the longitudinal ribs is elongated in the longitudinal direction; a first layer of expandable material disposed on at least one outer surface of said carrier and configured to bond said outer surface of said carrier to the hollow structure; and a second layer of expandable material disposed on one of an inner surface of one of the exterior walls and an opposing surface of a rib, such that the second layer of expandable material is within a particular channel and that a gap exists in the channel between the second layer of expandable material and the opposing exterior wall or opposing rib; wherein the second layer of expandable material is configured such that fluid is able to flow through the gap before the second expandable material layer is expanded, and, after the second layer of expandable material is expanded, the gap is sealed against the passage of materials, wherein said carrier includes a plurality of transverse ribs extending in a direction transverse to said exterior walls and said longitudinal ribs, wherein each of the transverse ribs is elongated in the transverse direction, wherein the height of said transverse ribs is less than the height of said longitudinal ribs.