COMPOSITE PRESSURE VESSELS

• US 20110309074A1
• Filed: 06/07/2011
• Published: 12/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Thunhorst, Kristin L., Goenner, Emily S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,822,928 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/23.9
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 1/16 constructed of plastics materials shaping of plastics B29C
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0109 with exteriorly curved end-piece
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0128 spherical or elliptical
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/058 portable (<30 l)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0604 Liners
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0607 Coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0624 with four or more layers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0643 Stainless steels
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0646 Aluminium
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0648 Alloys or compositions of metals
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0665 radially wound
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/067 helically wound
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0673 Polymers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0697 comprising nanoparticles
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2209/2163 with a mandrel
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2209/221 Welding
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2209/227 by adhesive means
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/011 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0123 gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/035 High pressure (>10 bar)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/036 : Very high pressure (>80 bar)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/053 : Reducing corrosion
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/05 : for industrial use
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/07 : for household use

Abstract

Pressure vessels formed from fiber composites are described. The fiber composites include fibers impregnated with a resin system containing surface-modified nanoparticles dispersed in a curable matrix resin.

Claims

1. A pressure vessel comprising

a wall circumferentially enclosing an open volume capable of being filled with a fluid, wherein the wall comprises an interior surface adjacent the open volume and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, a first end, a second end, and an axial direction;

wherein the wall comprises a composite layer comprising a resin system impregnated with fibers; and

wherein the resin system comprises a curable matrix resin and a plurality of surface-modified nanoparticles.

2. The pressure vessel of claim 1, wherein the pressure vessel wherein at least one composite layer comprises fibers aligned at angle of greater than 70 degrees relative to the axial direction.

3. The pressure vessel of claim 2, wherein at least one composite layer comprises fibers aligned at angle of no greater than 40 degrees relative to the axial direction.

4. The pressure vessel of claim 1, wherein at least one composite layer comprises fibers aligned at angle of between 40 and 70 degrees, inclusive, relative to the axial direction

5. The pressure vessel according to claim 1, further comprising a first cap extending from the wall adjacent the first end, further enclosing the open volume.

6. The pressure vessel of claim 5, further comprising a second cap extending from the wall adjacent the second end, isolating the open volume from the ambient environment surrounding the pressure vessel.

7. The pressure vessel according to claim 1, wherein a cross section of the wall perpendicular to the axial direction is elliptical.

8. The pressure vessel of claim 1, wherein the pressure vessel is ellipsoidal.

9. The pressure vessel according to claim 1, wherein the curable matrix resin comprises an epoxy.

10. The pressure vessel according to claim 1, wherein the surface-modified nanoparticles comprise a core comprising at least one metal oxide, and a surface-modifying agent covalently bonded to the surface of the core.

11. The pressure vessel according to claim 10, wherein the surface-modified nanoparticles comprise a core comprising silica.

12. The pressure vessel according to claim 1, wherein the surface-modified nanoparticles comprise a core comprising calcite, and a surface-modifying agent ionically associated with the core.

13. The pressure vessel according to claim 1, wherein the resin system further comprises a rubber toughener.

14. The pressure vessel according to claim 1, wherein the wall further comprises a liner having an interior surface adjacent the open space and an exterior surface, wherein the composite layer is adjacent the exterior surface of the liner.

15. The pressure vessel of claim 14, wherein the liner comprises at least one a metal and a polymer.

16. The pressure vessel according claim 1, wherein the open volume contains a fluid at an absolute pressure of at least 10 MPa.

17. The pressure vessel according to claim 1, wherein the open volume contains a fluid at an absolute pressure of at least 30 MPa.

18. The pressure vessel according to claim 1, wherein the open volume contains a fluid at an absolute pressure of at least 80 MPa

19. The pressure vessel according to claim 13, wherein the rubber toughener comprises a coreshell rubber.