Patent ID: 7690600
Filing Date: 2010-04-06
Classification: A62C,B64D

Abstract:
1. A tank ( 20 ) for storing a fluid composition and for discharging the stored fluid composition in flight, the tank comprising: a configuration releasably installable inside a fuselage of an aircraft, when installed inside the fuselage of an aircraft, the tank having i) a collapsed-folded position and ii) an unfolded position, from bottom to top, the configuration comprising i) a lower rigid discharge opening, ii) movable flaps located within said discharge opening and having a first position closing said discharge opening to fluid discharge and a second position opening said discharge opening, the second position operative for discharging the fluid composition during flight from the tank via said discharge opening, iii) a lower neck connected to and above said discharge opening, said lower neck configured for installation in a ventral portion of the fuselage through an upper opening within a cabin floor inside a cabin of the fuselage, said lower neck defining a main compartment of a first volume for collapsing through the upper opening, iv) a flexible wall with a wall portion protruding under the cabin floor, wherein the flexible wall a) in the unfolded position of the tank, extends upward from said lower neck inside the fuselage and forms a secondary compartment of a second volume for storing the fluid composition to be discharged, and b) in the collapsed-folded position, is folded inside said first volume within the lower neck, v) a plurality of superposed inflatable belts that, in the unfolded position of the tank, extend inside the fuselage, said belts being outside and around said flexible wall and supporting upright said flexible wall in the unfolded position, upon at least a part of a height vertical dimension of said secondary compartment, vi) a central top wall integral with the flexible wall, and, in the collapsed-folded position of the tank, forming a mattress closing the upper opening within the cabin floor and in collapsed-folded position of the tank also providing continuity for the cabin floor inside the fuselage, and vii) an internal suction pipe located within said central top wall, said internal suction pipe configured for introduction of the fluid composition into the tank.