Importance

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Abstract

A protective casing for a vessel includes an outer shell surrounding the vessel wall. A spacer extends from adjacent the vessel wall toward the outer shell and spaces the outer shell away from the vessel wall. The spacer permits substantially uninhibited deformation of the outer shell to failure inward toward the vessel wall when a missile impact is imparted on the outer shell such that the outer shell substantially dampens the transmission of the energy of the missile impact to the exterior vessel wall. The spacer can position the outer shell to allow reinforcing fibers of the outer shell to elongate to the yield point to maximize energy absorption. Embodiments of the protective casing and a protected vessel, as well as a kit and method for forming the protective casing, are disclosed.

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First Claim