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Apparatus and method for making large diameter wound-fiber reinforced tanks

  • US 20070151974A1
  • Filed: 12/30/2005
  • Published: 07/05/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A process of constructing a large diameter tank, comprising:

  • providing a tank wall mandrel;

    supporting a circumference of said mandrel with a plurality of drive and support wheels;

    positioning a plurality of curved panels along an exterior of said mandrel;

    rotating said mandrel and said curved panels by use of said drive wheels;

    positioning a vertical winder adjacent said mandrel;

    applying glass fibers from said vertical winder to the surface of said rotating curved panels, thereby constructing a segment of a tank wall shell;

    detaching said curved panels from the interior surface of said tank wall shell;

    positioning said curved panels above said previously formed tank wall shell;

    rotating said mandrel and said previously formed tank wall shell;

    applying additional glass fibers to said curved panels and to an upper portion of said tank wall shell, thereby forming a unitary tank shell; and

    , repeating the last four of said steps until a desired tank shell height is obtained.

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