Cordant Technologies Inc.

Alliant Techsystems Inc.

Thiokol Corporation

Mark J Warner

Michael D Blair

Kevin W Davis

Richard Kunz

Edward Wolcott

Darrel Turner

John Bennett

Darrel G Turner

George A Berkley

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

Closure modules are coupled to and enclose ends of a multi-cell pressure vessel, especially a multi-cell pressure vessel having arcuate outer wall segments connected by internal web segments that define a plurality of cells in the pressure vessel. The closure modules each have an arcuate surface portion and at least one interfacing surface portion integrally connected at a marginal extent thereof with a marginal extent of the arcuate surface portion. The arcuate surface and interfacing surface portions define a closure module chamber and have peripheral edges. The arcuate surface portion of one of the closure modules abuts contiguously against an interfacing surface portion of an adjacent one of the closure modules. The closure modules are particularly useful for use with multi-cell tanks and vessel bodies, especially tanks and vessels suitable for storing liquid propane.

End closure modules for multi-cell pressure vessels, and pressure vessels and vehicles containing the same

A joint is disclosed for connecting extruded segments to form a container, such as a pressure vessel for storing liquid propane. In cross section, joint includes a pair of symmetrical tabs, each tab configured at the end of adjacent arcuate outer wall segments. Tabs are configured for contiguous engagement to form a boss having a proximate neck portion and a distal body portion. Joint also includes a retaining member configured at the end of an internal web segment. Retaining member is configured to capture boss. A sealing weld is utilized to seal the adjacent tabs at exposed seam.

Joint for connecting extrudable segments

This pressurized-gas storage assembly includes a pressure vessel having a gas storage chamber and access opening, a polar boss extending through the access opening, a plastic liner lining the gas storage chamber, and a fitting body. The plastic liner includes a nipple portion that extends into the polar boss, terminates at an annular rim, and has a screw-threaded radially inner surface region. The fitting body includes a head portion, an extension longitudinally extending from an end of the head portion and having a screw-threaded radially outer surface region, and an annular shoulder. The annular shoulder has an annular recess formed therein, with a compressible O-ring being accommodated within the annular recess. By inserting the extension through the access opening and positioning the screw-threaded radially outer surface region of the extension into mechanical engagement with the screw-threaded radially inner surface region of the nipple portion, the O-ring is compressed between the annular shoulder of the fitting body and the annular rim of the liner. As a consequence, the O-ring is compressed and a hermetic seal is established between the inner liner and the fitting body, thereby preventing escape of stored compressed gas through the access opening.

Closure assembly for lined tanks, and vehicles equipped with the same

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

Growing community of inventors

North Ogden, UT, United States of America

Mark J Warner