Methods and apparatus for containing hazardous material

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for containing a hazardous material according to various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with a container having two compartments. The first compartment is configured to contain the hazardous material, and the second compartment contains a hazard control material. The container may further comprise a wall separating the first compartment from the second compartment. The wall is configured to open upon occurrence of a trigger event.

1 . A container, comprising:
 a first surface defining a first compartment, wherein the first compartment contains a hazardous material; and   a second surface defining a second compartment adjacent the first compartment, wherein the second compartment is configured to contain a hazard control material and at least partially open in response to an impact.   
   
   
       2 . A container according to  claim 1 , further comprising a wall separating the first compartment from the second compartment, wherein the integrity of the wall is configured to at least partially open in response to an impact. 
   
   
       3 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the second compartment at least partially encloses the first compartment. 
   
   
       4 . A container according to  claim 1 , further comprising a partition within the second compartment and defining at least two subcompartments within the second compartment. 
   
   
       5 . A container according to  claim 4 , further comprising an interconnection between the at least two subcompartments. 
   
   
       6 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the hazard control material comprises a fire extinguishant. 
   
   
       7 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are configured to be installed in a vehicle as a fuel tank. 
   
   
       8 . A container according to  claim 2 , wherein the wall includes a surface defining a thinner section of the wall than a surrounding area of the wall. 
   
   
       9 . A container according to  claim 1 , further comprising a membrane disposed along at least one of the first surface and the second surface. 
   
   
       10 . A fuel tank system for a vehicle, comprising:
 a first surface defining a first compartment configured to contain fuel for the vehicle; and   a second surface defining a second compartment adjacent the first compartment and configured to contain a fire extinguishant and at least partially open in response to an impact.   
   
   
       11 . A fuel tank system according to  claim 10 , further comprising a wall separating the first compartment from the second compartment, wherein the integrity of the wall is configured to at least partially open in response to an impact. 
   
   
       12 . A fuel tank system according to  claim 10 , wherein the second compartment at least partially encloses the first compartment. 
   
   
       13 . A fuel tank system according to  claim 10 , further comprising a partition within the second compartment and defining at least two subcompartments within the second compartment. 
   
   
       14 . A fuel tank system according to  claim 13 , further comprising an interconnection between the at least two subcompartments. 
   
   
       15 . A fuel tank system according to  claim 11 , wherein the wall includes multiple grooves defined in a surface of the wall. 
   
   
       16 . A fuel tank system according to  claim 10 , further comprising a membrane disposed along at least one of the first surface and the second surface. 
   
   
       17 . A method of controlling a hazardous material, comprising:
 providing a first surface defining a first compartment, wherein the first compartment is configured to contain the hazardous material; and   placing a second surface defining a second compartment adjacent the first compartment and configured to contain a hazard control material and at least partially open in response to an impact.   
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 17 , further comprising a wall separating the first compartment from the second compartment, wherein the integrity of the wall is configured to at least partially open in response to an impact. 
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the wall includes a surface defining a thinner section of the wall than a surrounding area of the wall. 
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 17 , further comprising placing a membrane along at least one of the first surface and the second surface. 
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 17 , further comprising inserting the hazard control material into the second compartment. 
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the second compartment at least partially encloses the first compartment. 
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 17 , further comprising providing a partition within the second compartment, wherein the partition defines at least two subcompartments within the second compartment. 
   
   
       24 . A method according to  claim 17 , further comprising an interconnection between the at least two subcompartments. 
   
   
       25 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the hazard control material comprises a fire extinguishant. 
   
   
       26 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are configured to be installed in a vehicle as a fuel tank.