Steelhead Composites, LLC

Andrew Coors

Kaushik Mallick

John Cronin

Annalisa Padget-Shields

Michael W Stewart

Jacob Schrader

Christian Fahrenbruck

Alexis Dubois

Carl Chapel

Anna Padget-Shields

The present disclosure provides an accumulator system that utilizes an ionic liquid for pressurizing gases. In particular, the accumulator system of the present disclosure avoids use of any internal mechanical parts, e.g., a bladder or a piston, thereby eliminating any potential for mechanical failure experienced by conventional accumulators.

Ionic liquid accumulator system for delivering gas

The present invention provides lightweight high-pressure accumulators that avoids diaphragm failure observed in conventional diaphragm accumulators. Lightweight high-pressure composite overwrapped accumulators of the invention are made from a plurality of hollow casings that are mated to form an accumulator housing. The accumulator housing is overwrapped with a composite material to provide additional mechanical strength and structural integrity. More significantly, the accumulators of the invention includes a plurality of annular grooves and a plurality of bulb on the flexible diaphragm such that the plurality of bulbs on the flexible diaphragm are placed in the plurality of annular grooves that are formed between the first and the second hollow casing. In this manner, diaphragm failure is significantly reduced or even completely eliminated during repeated high pressure charge/discharge cycle of the accumulator.

Lightweight composite overwrapped accumulators

The present invention provides a lightweight high pressure vessels that are made from a liner or a liner housing that is overwrapped with a composite material. Unlike conventional high pressure vessels, the lightweight high pressure vessel of the invention includes a liner that comprises a plurality of liner sections without using welding or crimping. In particular, the lightweight high pressure vessels of the invention include a plurality of elements that are combined to form a liner housing and a composite overwrap that provides structural and mechanical strength to maintain integrity of the high pressure vessel. In one particular embodiment, the high pressure vessel of the invention is a diaphragm accumulator.

Lightweight composite overwrapped pressure vessels with sectioned liners

The present invention provides a metal-lined composite gas storage device comprising a phase-change material coated on the exterior surface of a metallic liner. The presence of the phase-change material on the exterior surface of the metal liner reduces the temperature change within the interior of the metal liner during a gas filling process compared to a similar vessel that does not have a phase-change material coating, thereby allowing a significantly greater amount of gas to be filled at a given pressure.

Pressure vessel with PCM and method of use

The present invention provides a Type 3 pressure vessel comprising a polar boss that is attached to a metallic liner and provides reinforced static strength, fatigue strength, endurance, chemical resistance and/or corrosion resistance of the liner orifice or neck region. In particular, the material of the polar boss has higher static strength, fatigue strength, endurance, chemical resistance and/or corrosion resistance relative to that of the liner material.

Metallic liner pressure vessel comprising polar boss

The present invention provides a hydraulic pressure accumulator having a pressure vessel and a piston chamber that is located within the interior space of the pressure vessel. In one particular embodiment, the invention relates to filament wound composite overwrapped hydraulic pressure accumulators with serviceable pistons.

Lightweight piston accumulator

The present invention provides a device that minimizes or eliminates under-filling of a pressure vessel by integrating phase change material (PCM) within one or multiple component of the pressure vessel. In one particular embodiment, the inner surface of the pressure vessel comprises a PCM. During a gas-filling process, PCM reduces the rate and/or the amount of temperature increase. Reduction of the temperature increase in the pressure vessel increases the amount of gas filled during a gas-filling process.

Gas storage pressure vessel comprising phase changing material

The present invention provides a device and a method that minimizes or eliminates under-filling of a pressure vessel by integrating phase change material (PCM) within one or multiple component of the pressure vessel. In one particular embodiment, the inner surface of the pressure vessel comprises a PCM. During a gas-filling process, PCM reduces the rate and/or the amount of temperature increase. Reduction of the temperature increase in the pressure vessel increases the amount of gas filled during a gas-filling process.

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Morrison, CO, United States of America

Andrew Coors