ILC Dover Completes the Fabrication and Test of a Resilient Tunnel Plug

Dec. 9, 2011 - PRLog -- Frederica, DE - ILC Dover, a world leader in flexible materials and inflatable 3-D structures, announced today they completed the design, fabrication and pressure testing of a Resilient Tunnel Plug (RTP) for isolating sections of transit or rail tunnels in response to an event such as flooding, release of chemical / biological agents, or other threats.  The RTP is a 16.2 ft diameter, 32 ft long inflatable structure capable of long term operation at 17psi.  The Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology Directorate led the development program which included Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, West Virginia University, and ILC Dover.   The RTP has been pressure tested to 25psi in a test of what is one of the world’s most highly stressed textile assemblies ever.  The design leverages webbing supported structure technology from previous ILC programs including marine floats, hyperbaric chambers, and inflatable space habitats.

For more information please contact Dave Cadogan at 302-335-3911 x213 or cadogd@ilcdover.com

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Since 1947, ILC Dover has provided engineered solutions to complex customer problems, serving the aerospace, personal protection and pharmaceutical industries. Known for production of space suits for NASA, ILC is a world leader in the use of high-performance flexible materials, allowing for unique solutions to meet customer needs. ILC’s innovative products have been used on the moon, on Mars, and around the globe.

ILC Dover…creating what’s next