The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 30, 2002
Filed:
Jul. 28, 2000
Rene Rutz, Calgary, CA;
Dynetek Industries Ltd., Calgary Alberta, CA;
Abstract
The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of fiber-reinforced pressure vessels and the product produced therefrom. A vessel liner is wrapped with resin-impregnated fibers and cured according to conventional technology. The cured, fiber-wrapped liner is then subjected to a pre-treatment process comprising both elevated temperature and pressure over time. The elevation in temperature allows the resin to soften. The increased pressure imparts a tensile load in the fibers. The tensile load causes fibers to stretch and straighten in the resin. After cooling to typical operating temperatures, and when pressurized for duty, the now straightened fibers are capable of responding immediately to the tensile load and the burst strength of the vessel is increased as a result. The process can be combined with autofrettage in series or simultaneously to achieve even greater final strength.