초록 ▼

A flexible pressure vessel is constructed from at least one pair of upper and mating lower dome shaped cell portions. The dome portions are molded from sheets of resilient material and joined together by radio frequency welding or high-strength adhesives. Upper and lower passageway portions extend o

A flexible pressure vessel is constructed from at least one pair of upper and mating lower dome shaped cell portions. The dome portions are molded from sheets of resilient material and joined together by radio frequency welding or high-strength adhesives. Upper and lower passageway portions extend outwardly from each cell portion to the surrounding sheet material. When the cell portions are joined the passageway portions are joined to form a passageway for connection to a valve or another cell. Upper and lower rings surround the upper and lower cell portions to provide reinforcement for the cells. First and second blankets of heavy-duty fiber reinforced material are attached over the upper and lower cell portions and stitched in place with heavy-duty stitching extending through the resilient material surrounding the cell portions. Cell shaped sponges impregnated with absorbent materials are encased in liquid and gas impermeable plastic tubing and inserted into the cells prior to joining of the cell portions. Heat-reflecting plastic film or metal foil is inserted between blankets and the cell portions. The heavy duty stitching is high-pressure loop and lock braiding. The passageway has a cross-section of between 0.050 and 0.100 inches. An apparatus and method are described for constructing the flexible pressure vessel.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel, comprising: at least one hollow pressure cell, said pressure cell having symmetrical upper and lower cell portions, being formed of resilient material and having an outer surface, an outer perimeter and at least one opening disposed at

The invention claimed is: 1. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel, comprising: at least one hollow pressure cell, said pressure cell having symmetrical upper and lower cell portions, being formed of resilient material and having an outer surface, an outer perimeter and at least one opening disposed at said outer perimeter; a passageway, said passageway having a first end and a second end and being attached to said at least one opening at said first end and extending outwardly beyond said hollow pressure cell for connection to either of a passageway of another cell and a valve; at least one reinforcing ring, said reinforcing ring having an inner surface, an outer surface, an outer circumference, being formed of high-strength material and being sized and shaped to fit tightly about the outer perimeter of said pressure cell; said reinforcing ring having an aperture, said aperture extending from said inner surface to said outer surface and being sized, shaped and disposed to accommodate connection of said passageway to said pressure cell; a valving means, said valving means being capable of controlling a flow of either of a liquid and a gas through said passageway and being attached to said second end of said passageway; and whereby, when said reinforcing ring is disposed about the outer perimeter of said pressure cell, the pressure handling capacity of said cell is increased. 2. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel comprising: at least one upper dome-shaped cell portion, said upper cell portion being formed from resilient material and having an outer surface, an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter, an inner surface and at least one upper opening portion, said upper opening portion extending outwardly from said inner perimeter; at least one mating lower dome-shaped cell portion, said lower cell portion being formed from resilient material and having an outer surface, an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter, an inner surface and at least one lower opening portion, said lower opening portion extending outwardly from said inner perimeter; said upper cell portion being joined to said mating lower cell portion such that a hollow pressure cell is formed, said cell having at least one opening; a passageway, said passageway having a first end and a second end and being attached to said at least one opening at said first end and extending outwardly beyond said hollow pressure cell for connection to either of a passageway of another cell and a valve; at least one reinforcing ring, said reinforcing ring having an inner surface, an outer surface, an outer circumference, being formed of high-strength material and being sized and shaped to fit tightly about the outer perimeter of said pressure cell; said reinforcing ring having an aperture, said aperture extending from said inner surface to said outer surface and being sized, shaped and disposed to accommodate connection of said passageway to said pressure cell; and a valving means, said valving means being capable of controlling a flow of either of a liquid and a gas through said passageway and being attached to said second end of said passageway. 3. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising: a protruding rim, said protruding rim being disposed at said outer perimeter of said pressure cell upper and lower receiving notches, said upper and lower receiving notches being disposed above and below said protruding rim; upper and lower projecting ribs, said upper and lower projecting ribs being disposed upon said inner surface of said reinforcing ring; a central receiving notch, said central receiving notch being disposed between said upper and lower projecting ribs; said projecting ribs being sized, shaped and disposed to fit said upper and lower receiving notches of said pressure cell; said central receiving notch being sized, shaped and disposed to fit said protruding rim of said pressure cell; and whereby, when said reinforcing ring is disposed about the outer perimeter of said pressure cell, the pressure handling capacity of said cell is increased. 4. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel comprising: at least one upper dome-shaped cell portion, said upper cell portion being formed from resilient material and having an outer surface, an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter and at least one upper passageway portion, said upper passageway portion extending outwardly from said inner perimeter; at least one mating lower dome-shaped cell portion, said lower cell portion being formed from resilient material and having an outer surface, an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter and at least one lower passageway portion, said lower passageway portion extending outwardly from said inner perimeter; said upper cell portion being joined to said mating lower cell portion such that a hollow pressure cell is formed, said cell having at least one passageway extending outwardly from said cell for connection to either of a passageway of another cell and a valve; a protruding rim, said protruding rim being disposed at said outer perimeter of said pressure cell upper and lower receiving notches, said upper and lower receiving notches being disposed above and below said protruding rim; and upper and lower a reinforcing rings, each of said reinforcing rings having an inner surface, an outer surface, being formed of high-strength material and being sized and shaped to fit tightly in either of said upper and lower receiving notches; at least one of said reinforcing rings having an aperture, said aperture extending from said inner surface to said outer surface and being sized shaped and disposed to accommodate connection of said passageway to said pressure cell; and whereby, when said reinforcing rings are disposed about said outer perimeter of said pressure cell, the pressure handling capacity of said cell is increased. 5. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 4, further comprising means for fastening said upper reinforcing ring to said lower reinforcing ring. 6. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel comprising: at least one upper dome-shaped cell portion, said upper cell portion being formed from resilient material and having an outer surface, an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter and at least one upper passageway portion, said upper passageway portion extending outwardly from said inner perimeter; at least one mating lower dome-shaped cell portion, said lower cell portion being formed from resilient material and having an outer surface, an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter and at least one lower passageway portion, said lower passageway portion extending outwardly from said inner perimeter; said upper cell portion being joined to said mating lower cell portion such that a hollow pressure cell is formed, said cell having at least one passageway extending outwardly from said pressure cell for connection to either of a passageway of another cell and a valve; a protruding rim, said protruding rim being disposed at said outer perimeter of said pressure cell; at least one groove disposed about said outer perimeter above said protruding rim; at least one groove disposed about said outer perimeter below said protruding rim; upper and lower reinforcing rings, each of said reinforcing rings having an inner surface, an outer surface, being formed of high-strength material and being sized and shaped to fit tightly about said outer perimeter on either side of said protruding rim; said reinforcing rings having at least one rib disposed upon said inner surface thereof, said rib being sized, shaped and disposed to engage said groove; and whereby, when said reinforcing rings are disposed about said outer perimeter of said pressure cell, the pressure handling capacity of said cell is increased. 7. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 6, further comprising means for fastening said upper reinforcing ring to said lower reinforcing ring. 8. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising: an overwrapping layer, said overwrapping layer being formed of high-strength braiding material wound around said hollow pressure cell; and whereby, when the hollow pressure cell is overwrapped with high-strength braiding material, the pressure handling capacity of said pressure cell is increased. 9. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising hoop winding, said hoop winding being around said hollow pressure cell to increase the pressure handling capacity of said pressure cell. 10. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 8, further comprising a plastic overcoating. 11. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising: a first flexible blanket, said first blanket having an upper surface, a lower surface and being sized and shaped to cover said upper cell portion and extending outwardly beyond said outer perimeter; said first blanket being fixedly attached at its lower surface to said outer surface of said upper cell portion; a second flexible blanket, said second blanket having an upper surface, a lower surface and being sized and shaped to cover said lower cell portion and extending outwardly beyond said outer perimeter; and said second blanket being fixedly attached at its upper surface to said outer surface of said lower cell portion. 12. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 11, wherein heavy duty stitching is used to attach said first blanket to said second blanket, said stitching penetrating said first and second blankets between said upper and lower cell portions and serving to further reinforce and increasing the pressure handling capability of said pressure cell. 13. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 12, wherein said heavy duty stitching is high pressure hoop and lock braiding. 14. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 2, wherein a cell-shaped sponge is inserted between said upper cell portion and said lower cell portion prior to joining said upper and lower cell portions, said sponge serving to prevent said cell from collapsing after either of gas and liquid is removed from said cell. 15. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 14, wherein said sponge is impregnated with a zeolite compound, a gas or liquid absorbing compound or a reactive fuel cell compound. 16. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 11, wherein either of a heat-reflecting plastic film and a metal foil is inserted between at least one of said first blanket and said upper cell portion and said second blanket and said lower cell portion. 17. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 2, wherein said upper cell portion is joined to said lower cell portion by either of radio frequency welding and high strength adhesive. 18. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 11, wherein either of said first and second blankets is formed of high-strength fiber impregnated material. 19. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said passageway has a cross-section of between 0.025 and 0.250 inches. 20. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 11, further comprising: an upper retaining plate, said upper retaining plate having a third inner circumference, an outer circumference and a third pre-determined thickness; said upper retaining plate being sized and shaped to fit over said upper cell portion and surround its outer perimeter when said upper cell portion is covered by said first blanket; said third inner circumference being larger than said outer circumference of said reinforcing ring; a lower retaining plate, said lower retaining plate having a fourth inner circumference, an outer circumference and a fourth pre-determined thickness; said lower retaining plate being sized and shaped to fit over said lower cell portion and surround its outer perimeter when said lower cell portion is covered by said second blanket; said fourth inner circumference being larger than said outer circumference of said reinforcing ring; means for attaching said upper retaining plate to said lower retaining plate; and whereby, when said upper retaining plate is attached to said lower retaining plate, surrounding said upper and lower cell portions and said first and second blankets covering said reinforcing rings, the pressure capacity of said pressure cell will be increased. 21. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 20, wherein the means for attaching said upper retaining plate to said lower retaining plate further comprises: a series of holes, said holes penetrating said upper retaining plate between its outer circumference and said third inner circumference, said lower retaining plate between its outer circumference and said fourth inner circumference and said first blanket, a border of sheet material surrounding said outer perimeter of the upper cell portion, a border of sheet material surrounding said outer perimeter of said lower cell portion and said second blanket; said holes being outside of said outer circumference of said first and second rings; a series of fastening n-jeans, said fastening means being sized and shaped to pass through said series of holes and being capable of securing said upper retaining plate to said lower retaining plate. 22. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 20, wherein said fastening means is a series of bolt and locking nuts. 23. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 20, wherein said fastening means is a series of rivets. 24. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 20, wherein said means for attaching said upper retaining plate to said lower retaining plate further comprises: a series of holes, said holes penetrating said upper retaining plate between its outer circumference and said third inner circumference, said first blanket, a border of sheet material surrounding said outer perimeter of said upper cell portion, a border of sheet material surrounding said outer perimeter of said lower cell portion and said second blanket; said holes being outside of said outer circumference of said first and second rings; a series of pins, said pins being affixed orthogonally along an upper surface of said lower retaining plate and being sized, shaped and disposed to fit slidably through said series of holes and extending slightly above an upper surface of said upper retaining plate; and a series of welds, said welds fixedly attaching said pins to said upper retaining plate, thereby securing said upper and lower retaining plates to each other. 25. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 2, further comprising: a series of cell shaped sponges; a tube, said tube being formed of flexible gas and liquid impervious material and being sized and shaped to surround said sponges; said sponges being inserted in said tube at spaced intervals, said encased sponges being inserted between said upper cell portions and the lower cell portions prior to joining said upper and lower cell portions, said tube extending through said passageways; said sponges serving to prevent said cells from collapsing after either of gas and liquid is removed from said cells; and said tube serving to prevent contamination of either of gas and liquid by said inner surfaces of said upper and lower cell portions. 26. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 25, wherein said sponges are impregnated with a zeolite compound, a gas or liquid absorbing compound or a reactive fuel cell compound. 27. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 25, wherein the tube is formed from material selected from the group comprising: thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, polyurethane polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic elastomer, Teflon짰 and polyethylene. 28. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising: upper and lower reinforcing panels, said reinforcing panels being formed of high-strength woven material and being substantially ovoid in shape with extensions projecting from a perimeter of said ovoid shape; and said reinforcing panels being adhered to said outer surface of said upper and lower cell portions of said hollow pressure cell, thereby increasing the pressure handling capabilities of said pressure cell. 29. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 28, wherein the method of adhesion is selected from the group comprising: high-strength adhesive, sonic welding and RF welding. 30. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 28, wherein the woven material is prepregnated with either of adhesive and laminating material and subjected to heat and pressure. 31. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said passageway is removably attached to said hollow pressure cell. 32. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 29, wherein said passageway is removably attached to said hollow pressure cell by a threaded fitting, said threaded fitting being sized and shaped to fit a threaded opening at said outer perimeter of said hollow pressure cell. 33. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising: an orifice, said orifice penetrating either of said upper and lower cell portions; a removable plug, said plug being sized and shaped to fit sealably into said orifice, thereby permitting introduction of material into said pressure cell. 34. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 9, further comprising a plastic overcoating.