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Aviation History
1919
1919 - 1590.PDF
DECEMBER II, 1919 rubber covering is that through which the bullet makes exit, and the rubber being stretched makes this point also the thinnest portion of the covering, so that when the bullet leaves and the pressure is relieved the rubber goes back to its former shape, completely closing up and sealing the bullet-hole. When the Imber tank first appeared some experimenters with ordinary rubber-covered tanks suggested the use of angular section braces for framework and diaphragm or baffle-plate supports. Failures resulted, due to the fact that when the metal brace was bent outward against the covering, it required an equal amount of pressure from the outside covering to force the frame back in place, and allow the rubber covering to assume its normal position. The aluminium tubing employed in the Imber tank, after being bent outward, is easily brought back into place with a great deal less pressure than that required to bend it outward in the first place. The elasticity of the rubber covering is sufficient to force the bent tubular members back in' place so that the bullet-hole is closed, but in cases where other inventors used angle frames the rubber covering was torn by the unyielding metal. The Imber tank is composed of three parts, which are shown in section in the sketch : The inside tubular aluminium framework to which sheet aluminium baffle-plates are attached. The framework is adapted to fit within and conform to the The function of the framework is to form a backing against which the rubber covering may seat itself to form a self- sealing covering. The shell or casing is made of tinned steel. Other materials, including copper, were found to be inferior in some respects to the material finally adopted. Tanks with a capacity oi more than 38 gallons are made of 28 gauge tinned steel. Joints are formed as indicated in Fig. 1. The joint is sweated, welded or otherwise formed without the necessity for the em ployment of rivets or other members passing through the metal. The outer covering is of specially prepared rubber, which is put over the entire surface of the tank. The rubber is approximately J in. in thickness. Edges of the tank are reinforced with an additional rubber strip J in. thick, vul canised to the covering rubber. The entire tank is then vulcanised for about 75 minutes under a steam pressure of about 40 lbs. per sq. in. In order to provide for the greater security of the tank against leakage, all fittings are provided with double searings, so that in the event of one joint giving away there will still be a second joint to prevent leakage. In one convenient form of fitting the desired effect is obtained by having a flange internally threaded bush sweated upon the inside of the casing and surrounding the aperture for the fitting. Into this is screwed a second bush or sleeve E B E E E E 13 IS E E H H S Some details of the Imber tank : 1. Section of a corner : A, Rubber reinforcing ; B, rubber covering ; C, Outer shell or casing; D, Frame work members ; E, Baffle plate. 2. Method of crossing the tubular members of the framework and of securing them with rivets. 3. The method of clipping the baffle plate to the inner framework of the tank m n a E H S E E H EHEEHHEHHHHHH shape of the shell. The second part of the tank consists of a metal shell into which the baffle-plate frame is inserted. The third part of the tank consists of an outside rubber covering which surrounds the entire shell. The resilient or elastic covering returns to its seating against the frame work in such a brief space of time that it is impossible for the contents to ignite in the event of the projectile being of an incendiary nature. The tank is installed in the aeroplane by means of a cradle, in such a way that no rivets, bolts, etc., are used to secure it to the machine. The general arrangement of the internal cradle or framework and baffle-plate is shown in one of our photographs. Of course, the principle is applicable to tanks of any shape or any size. The framework is built up of aluminium tubing about rV in. in diameter, and 22 gauge in thickness. The diameter and gauge of material varies according to the size of the tank. Where the tube crosses one another they are held together by rivets as shown in Fig. 2, or they may be welded together. Baffle-plates are secured to the framework by means of aluminium clips as shown in Fig. 3. The entire framework, together with the baffle-plates, is constructed so that no rivets or other means are used to hold it in place in the shell. It is imperative that the inner cradle be not fixed in any way to the metal shell. H 13 Brazilian Air Mail SOME details of the mail-carrying contract for Brazil secured by the Handley Page Co. have been sent by The Times correspondent at Rio de Janeiro. The chief route along which the mails are to be carried is the international route, Pernambuco to Buenos Ayres, a distance of 2,500 miles, which will be covered in three and a-half days, compared with nine or ten days by the ordinary mail boat services. There will be a weekly service between these two points. The other air-mail routes covered by the contract include Rio to Sao Paulo and Sao Paulo to Santos. carrying the fitting which makes the first-mentioned member a joint by means of fibre or packing. This second bush or sleeve projects beyond the rubber covering of the tank, and is surrounded by a metal washer which is forced into close contact with the exterior of such covering by means of a flange uponsuch sleeve so as to form a second joint or seating for the fitting. The inner bush is so constructed and arranged that it is practically flush with the inner surface of the metal shell. No part of the fitting is allowed to project into the tank in a manner which would prevent the aluminium framework from being slipped into the tank. Minor shocks are, of course, taken care of by the rubber covering, but when a hard blow is struck the internal con struction gives. While the framework is strong enough to give adequate bracing to the tank under ordinary usages, it is purposely made collapsible upon the application of a blow likely to cause a puncture. In the case of a landing in which a smash occurs, the rubber covering retains the petrol, no matter how badly the tank may have been battered. While the framework of an aircraft may crumple and strike force fully against the tank or the tank strike the ground, the result will merely be a distortion of the shape of the tank, thereby minimising the danger of fire from the in flammable liquid that otherwise would have been sprayed about the wreckage. EI E The Handley Page Co. are sending out to Brazil 24 machines, which, besides carrying the mails, will inaugurate passenger and freight services. The machines are of the two-engine type, with a carrying capacity of 2,500 lbs. Dutch Experiences with German Machines APPARENTLY the Dutch Government are finding their pur chases of German aeroplanes anything but satisfactory. Any way, an order has been issued by the commandant of the Dutch Aviation Department forbidding further flights in Rumpler aeroplanes, as there have been four fatal accidents with these German machines in the last few weeks. 1592
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