Thiokol Corporation

Alliant Techsystems Inc.

Cordant Technologies Inc.

Kevin W Davis

Mark J Warner

Michael D Blair

Richard Kunz

Edward Wolcott

Darrel Turner

John Bennett

James A Yorgason

Darrel G Turner

Scott W Lauritzen

Wayne E Berndt

O N Thompson, Jr

F Edward Wolcott

John D Bennett

Richard K Kunz

A pressure vessel for holding a pressurized fluid such as compressed natural gas ('CNG') includes two end cells and zero or more interior cells. The cell geometry ensures that the cells meet one another at tangential circular surfaces, thereby reducing the tendency of adjacent cells to peel apart. A web secured about the cells includes two sheets that are tangent to the cells. Unused volumes between the cells and the web contain wedges of foam or rubber. A valve provides fluid communication between the interior of the pressure vessel and a pressurized fluid line. The filled weight of one pressure vessel does not exceed the filled weight of a conventional gasoline tank that occupies substantially the same space as the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel may be configured with exterior recesses for engaging conventional gasoline tank straps.

Composite conformable pressure vessel

The present invention is directed to a novel pressure vessel and process for manufacturing the pressure vessel. In one embodiment, the invention includes a case for a rocket motor which includes a cylindrical, metal shell which has been configured with a plurality of slots positioned in axially extending rows. A fiber reinforced plastic layer is attached to the metal shell. Each slot has a length (L) and is separated by adjacent slots in the same row by an axial distance (A) with adjacent rows of slots separated by a circumferential distance (C) and configured such that L+A.gtoreq.6C and L.gtoreq.4A. The method of the invention comprises using a CO.sub.2 laser to cut a keyhole in the shell and then cutting axially outwardly from the keyhole to form the slot, resulting in slots having a width equal to the cutting width of the laser. The beam is then defocused and used to heat a portion of the metal shell surrounding the ends of each slot to produce a tempered zone.

Slotted hybrid pressure vessel

A method for constructing an inflatable elastomer mandrel for use in fabricating composite articles is provided. The method comprises the steps of preparing a rigid, water soluble mandrel to the desired size and shape with a shaft extending therethrough; applying a mold releasing ply to the water soluble mandrel; applying a first layer of uncured elastomer to cover the water soluble mandrel; curing the first layer of elastomer to form a base layer for a work piece mandrel wherein the work piece mandrel initially comprises the cured layer of elastomer disposed about the water soluble mandrel; applying a second layer of uncured elastomer to cover the work piece mandrel; winding a fiber onto the work piece mandrel; applying a third layer of uncured elastomer to cover the winding of the fiber of the work piece mandrel; winding a second fiber onto the third layer of elastomer of the work piece mandrel; applying a fourth layer of uncured elastomer to cover the winding of the second fiber of the work piece mandrel; curing the layers of elastomer having been applied to the work piece mandrel; and dissolving the water soluble mandrel and removing the shaft from the work piece mandrel. The work piece mandrel may then be connected to tooling, inflated, and its surface machined to the desired contour and texture. A mandrel having a two-piece mandrel/sleeve configuration may be constructed wherein only the sleeve has hoop windings so that the mandrel is more readily collapsible.

Method for constructing an inflatable mandrel

Growing community of inventors

Ogden, UT, United States of America

Kevin W Davis