Low weight high performance composite vessel and method of making same
First Claim
1. A reinforced plastic composite pressure vessel for containment of fluids which may be under pressure, said pressure vessel comprising:
- a) a pair of shell sections made from a reinforced plastic composite material with each having a cylindrical side wall and one end wall thereon along with an open opposite end;
b) a reinforcing region adjacent and surrounding the open end of each of said shell sections and which reinforcing regions cooperate to enable said shell sections to be joined together and thereby form a unitary reinforced plastic composite pressure vessel;
c) said shell sections having opposing and matching ends which are adapted to be abutted together to form a complete shell; and
d) a joinder ring fitted within the open ends of each of said shell sections when said shell sections are brought together in abutting relationship and which ring engages the reinforcing regions at the open ends of each of said shell sections and thereby allows for complete sealing attachment of the two shell sections together to form said vessel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A light weight high performance vessel, e.g., tank and method of making same which is produced primarily from reinforced plastic composite materials. The vessel can be used for the containment of liquids or pressurized gases. The tank is comprised of an inner shell which is split to remove a mandrel on which it is formed and to install components in the inner shell. The inner shell pieces are then secured together by means of a joinder ring. An outer shell is then formed around and completely encapsulates the inner shell. There is also no need for the employment of an inner liner although one can be used.
34 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A reinforced plastic composite pressure vessel for containment of fluids which may be under pressure, said pressure vessel comprising:
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a) a pair of shell sections made from a reinforced plastic composite material with each having a cylindrical side wall and one end wall thereon along with an open opposite end;
b) a reinforcing region adjacent and surrounding the open end of each of said shell sections and which reinforcing regions cooperate to enable said shell sections to be joined together and thereby form a unitary reinforced plastic composite pressure vessel;
c) said shell sections having opposing and matching ends which are adapted to be abutted together to form a complete shell; and
d) a joinder ring fitted within the open ends of each of said shell sections when said shell sections are brought together in abutting relationship and which ring engages the reinforcing regions at the open ends of each of said shell sections and thereby allows for complete sealing attachment of the two shell sections together to form said vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6)
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- 3. The reinforced plastic composite vessel for containment of fluids of claim 3 further characterized in that said outer shell wall is formed by applying of filament containing reinforcing material about said inner shell.
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8. A relatively low weight and high performance, liner-less pressure vessel capable of retaining fluid under pressure in adverse environmental conditions, said vessel comprising:
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a) a preformed unitary vessel having a side wall and end members integral therewith to thereby form an interior chamber, and which vessel is divided into a pair of separate and engageable vessel shell sections;
b) end fittings cured to interior surfaces of the end members of said vessel and being integral therewith;
c) a joinder ring located within each of said shell sections when brought together and being secured to said shell sections to form a complete unitary vessel. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A high performance liner-less pressure vessel formed primarily of fiber reinforced plastic composite material and comprising:
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a) a fully cured filament wound reinforced plastic composite inner shell formed of a relatively minimal thickness but of a thickness sufficient to carry a portion of an induced pressure load in said vessel;
b) a filament wound reinforced plastic composite outer shell which is filament wound around said inner shell and completely covers said inner shell, said outer shell having a thickness to carry a substantial portion of any induced pressure load;
c) said inner shell being fully bonded to said outer shell forming a shell composite with a cylindrical side wall and end walls thereon;
d) an open port formed in each of said end walls; and
e) end fittings secured to the interior and exterior of said composite shell and extending outwardly therefrom, said end fittings being completely sealed against the interior surface of said inner shell in regions surrounding the ports at said end walls. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of making a liner-less reinforced plastic composite pressure vessel, said method comprising:
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a) forming a reinforced plastic composite inner shell of said vessel and which is comprised of a side wall and a pair of end domes;
b) separating said inner shell into a pair of shell sections;
c) installing interior components in said shell sections;
d) rejoining said shell sections at the region of separation to form a unitary inner shell; and
e) producing an outer shell about said inner shell and which outer shell constitutes a load bearing shell. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of making a liner-less reinforced plastic composite pressure vessel, said method comprising:
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a) forming a reinforced plastic composite inner shell of said vessel and which is comprised of a side wall and a pair of end walls;
b) separating said inner shell into a pair of shell sections, with each being an open end opposite the end wall of that section;
c) providing a joinder ring at the interior surface of each of said shell sections when abutted together at the open ends thereof and which allows for securement of the said shell sections together to thereby form a unitary vessel, said joinder ring having surfaces which mate with surfaces on said shell sections adjacent the open ends; and
d) permanently bonding said ring to said shell sections to thereby form a unitary shell. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification