Structures reinforced by a composite material

• US 4,589,562 A
• Filed: 03/28/1984
• Issued: 05/20/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1981
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Norman C. Fawley
• Original Assignee: Norman C. Fawley
• Inventors: Fawley, Norman C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoap, Allan N.
• Application Number:
  US06/594,310
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 220/3, 220/83, 220/414, 206/459, 40/306, 40/310, 116/217, 116/206, 116/207, 374/162, 156/161, 156/172, 138/129, 138/143, 138/144, 138/153, 138/DIG. 2, 138/DIG. 7, 242/2, 242/3, 428/394, 428/395, 428/918, 428/913
• US Class Current: 220/590
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 63/24 using threads
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7156 Pressure vessels
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 9/147 comprising only layers of metal and plastics with or without reinforcement
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 1/06 built-up from wound-on bands or filamentary material, e.g. wires
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 1/16 constructed of plastics materials shaping of plastics B29C
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/123 for gas bottles, cylinders or reservoirs for tank vehicles or for railway tank wagons
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0109 with exteriorly curved end-piece
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/056 Small (<1 m3)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0604 Liners
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0619 with two layers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0624 with four or more layers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0646 Aluminium
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0658 Synthetics
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0663 in form of fibers or filaments
• 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 2205/0323 Valves
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0332 Safety valves or pressure relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0397 : on both sides of the pressure vessel
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/052 : by stickers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2209/2154 : Winding
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2209/225 : Spraying
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2209/232 : of walls
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2209/234 : of closing end pieces, e.g. caps
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/012 : Hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/03 : Mixtures
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0123 : gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/036 : Very high pressure (>80 bar)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/036 : using alarms
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0439 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0495 : the indicated parameter is a converted measured parameter
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/011 : Improving strength
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/012 : Reducing weight
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/015 : Facilitating maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/053 : Reducing corrosion
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0168 : by vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/32 : Hydrogen storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 138/02 : Glass fiber
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 138/07 : Resins

Abstract

Structures, such as pressure vessels or pipes, for the storage and transportation of fluids under pressure are wrapped with a composite material including a high-strength unidirectional filament material in a matrix of a flexibilized isophthalic polyester resin which has an elongation at least equal to the elongation of the material of the structure. The index of refraction of the resin is matched to the index of refraction of the filament material so that the pressure vessel is visible through the wrapping. The resin discolors when exposed to a heat above which the material of the structure weakens, thus acting as an indicator that the structure is unsuitable for use.

Claims

1. A reinforced structure for containing fluid under pressure, comprising:

an elongated hollow member and a band of continuous, high tensile strength fibers in a resin matrix engaging and encompassing the member, wherein the fibers have a predetermined index of refraction and the resin matrix has an index of refraction substantially equal to the index of refraction of the fibers, whereby the elongated hollow member is visible through the band.

2. The reinforced structure of claim 1, wherein the fibers are glass fibers.

3. The reinforced structure of claim 1, wherein the resin is a flexibilized isophthalic polyester resin.

4. The reinforced structure of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the structure undergoes substantial expansion, and the resin has an elongation sufficient to undergo said expansion without failing.

5. The reinforced structure of claim 1, wherein a label is positioned between the elongated hollow member and the band, whereby the label is visible through the band.

6. The reinforced structure of claim 1, wherein the elongated hollow member is a pressure vessel.

7. The reinforced structure of claim 1, wherein the elongated hollow member is a pipe.

8. A structure for containing fluid under pressure comprising:

an elongated hollow member and means for reinforcing said elongated hollow member, said reinforcing means comprising a reinforcing band extending around and in engagement with said elongated hollow member and including a plurality of high tensile strength fibers and a matrix encapsulating said fibers, said matrix comprising a heat indicating material responsive, by changing color, to a temperature above which the strength of said hollow member is substantially weakened, thereby indicating that the structure is unsuitable for use.

9. The structure of claim 8, wherein the heat indicating material is a flexibilized isophthalic polyester resin.

10. The structure of claim 8, wherein the elongated hollow member is adapted to undergo substantial expansion and the heat indicating material has an elongation sufficient to undergo said expansion without failing, said band being bonded to the member.

11. The structure of claim 8, wherein the high tensile strength fibers have a predetermined index of refraction, and the heat indicating material has an index of refraction substantially equal to the index of refraction of the fibers, whereby the elongated hollow member is visible through the band.

12. The structure of claim 8, wherein the elongated hollow member is a pressure vessel.

13. The structure of claim 8, wherein the elongated hollow member is a pipe.