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

Abstract

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.