초록 ▼

A pressure vessel (10) includes a tank (12) containing fluid under pressure, and includes a closure cap (14) for closing the tank (12). The closure cap (14) is a unitary part made entirely of a homogeneous material. The unitary part (14) includes a rupturable closure wall (20) which, when ruptured,

A pressure vessel (10) includes a tank (12) containing fluid under pressure, and includes a closure cap (14) for closing the tank (12). The closure cap (14) is a unitary part made entirely of a homogeneous material. The unitary part (14) includes a rupturable closure wall (20) which, when ruptured, permits fluid to flow outward from the tank (12). The unitary part (14) also includes a conduit (74) for directing fluid to flow outward from an outlet opening (120) when the closure wall (20) is ruptured. The closure wall (20) has oppositely facing inner and outer side surfaces (98,100) and includes a stress riser (96). The side surfaces (98,100) have contours which direct the fluid pressure to maintain the stress riser (96) under compressive stress and shear stress, rather than tensile stress, so as to resist creep throughout the time that the fluid is contained under pressure in the tank (12).

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus comprising: tank means for defining a storage chamber containing fluid at an elevated pressure; and a unitary part made entirely of a homogeneous material; said unitary part including means for defining a rupturable closure wall which is normally subjected to said pressure, said closure wa

Apparatus comprising: tank means for defining a storage chamber containing fluid at an elevated pressure; and a unitary part made entirely of a homogeneous material; said unitary part including means for defining a rupturable closure wall which is normally subjected to said pressure, said closure wall blocking said fluid from exiting said storage chamber and, when ruptured, permitting said fluid to exit said storage chamber through an outlet opening; said unitary part further including conduit means for defining an outlet conduit, said outlet conduit extending outward from said closure wall and directing said fluid to flow outward from said outlet opening when said closure wall is ruptured; said closure wall having oppositely facing inner and outer side surfaces and means for defining a stress riser, said side surfaces comprising means for normally maintaining said stress riser under stress induced by said pressure, said stress consisting essentially of compressive stress and shear stress; said closure wall having a central axis, said outer side surface of said closure wall facing axially outward through said outlet conduit and having a concave spherical contour extending continuously across said stress riser and said axis, said inner side surface of said closure wall facing axially inward of said storage chamber.