Ovoid flexible pressure vessel, apparatus and method for making same
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
F17C-001/02
F17C-001/00
출원번호
US-0636388
(2003-08-06)
발명자
/ 주소
Sanders,Stan A.
출원인 / 주소
Sanders,Stan A.
대리인 / 주소
Belasco Jacobs &
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
11인용 특허 :
20
초록▼
An ovoid flexible pressure vessel is described. At least one hollow pressure cell, formed of resilient material, a passageway, a valving means, a capillary tube, hoop winding, high-strength braiding material and at least one reinforcing ring are provided. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel has a pre
An ovoid flexible pressure vessel is described. At least one hollow pressure cell, formed of resilient material, a passageway, a valving means, a capillary tube, hoop winding, high-strength braiding material and at least one reinforcing ring are provided. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel has a pressure relief device comprising a reduction in thickness of the hollow pressure cell at a predetermined location whereby, when the hollow pressure cell is subjected to an overpressure condition it will fail at the predetermined location. Further pressure release devices include the following: a reduction in thickness of the cell, an indentation, a projecting member, a weakened section of the passageway, a weakening or an absence of high-strength braiding material or hoop winding at a predetermined location along the passageway, a weakening or spreading of fibers in either of the reinforcing panels or in either flexible blankets.
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 inner surface, an outer perimeter, and at least one
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 inner 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 as a 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, 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 as a 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, 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, an inner surface 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, an inner surface 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 as a 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, 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, an inner surface 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, an inner surface 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 as a 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, 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 oyoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claims 1, 2, 4 or 6, 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 claims 1, 2, 4 or 6, 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 claims 1, 2, 4 or 6, 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 claims 2, 4 or 6, 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 claims 2, 4 or 6, 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 claims 1, 2, 4 or 6, 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 means, 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 claims 2, 4 or 6, 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 claims 1, 2, 4 or 6, 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 claims 1, 2, 4 or 6, 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 claims 1, 2, 4 or 6 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. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel, as described in claim 1, further comprising: a first pressure relief device, said first pressure relief device disposed upon said inner surface of said hollow pressure cell and comprising a reduction in thickness of said hollow pressure cell at a predetermined location; whereby, when said hollow pressure cell is subjected to an overpressure condition it will fail at said predetermined location. 35. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel, as described in claim 34, wherein said first pressure relief device comprises an indentation in said inner surface of said hollow pressure cell, said indentation having side walls angled inwardly from said inner surface. 36. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel, as described in claims 2, 4 or 6, further comprising: a first pressure relief device, said first pressure relief device disposed upon said inner surface of either of said upper dome-shaped cell portion and said mating lower dome-shaped cell portion and comprising a reduction in thickness of one of said dome-shaped cell portion at a predetermined location; and whereby, when said hollow pressure cell is subjected to an overpressure condition it will fail at said predetermined location. 37. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel, as described in claim 36, wherein said first pressure relief device comprises an indentation in said inner surface of either of said upper dome-shaped cell portion and said lower dome-shaped cell portion, said indentation having side walls angled inwardly from said inner surface. 38. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel, as described in claim 8, further comprising: a second pressure relief device, said second pressure relief device disposed upon said outer surface of said hollow pressure cell and comprising at least one projecting member, said at least one projecting member being sized and shaped to penetrate said high-strength braiding material at a predetermined location; and whereby, when said high-strength braiding material is penetrated by said projecting member and said hollow pressure cell is subjected to an overpressure condition, said cell will fail at said predetermined location. 39. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel, as described in claim 38, wherein said at least one projecting member is removably attached to said outer surface of said hollow pressure cell. 40. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel, as described in claim 9, further comprising: a second pressure relief device, said second pressure relief device disposed upon said outer surface of said hollow pressure cell and comprising at least one projecting member, said at least one projecting member being sized and shaped to penetrate said hoop winding at a predetermined location; and whereby, when said hoop winding is penetrated by said projecting member and said hollow pressure cell is subjected to an overpressure condition, said cell will fail at said predetermined location. 41. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel, as described in claim 40, wherein said at least one projecting member is removably attached to said outer surface of said hollow pressure cell. 42. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel, as described in claim 11, further comprising: a second pressure relief device, said second pressure relief device disposed upon said outer surface of said hollow pressure cell and comprising at least one projecting member, said at least one projecting member being sized and shaped to penetrate either of said first flexible blanket and said second flexible blanket at a predetermined location; and whereby, when said either of said first flexible blanket and said second flexible blanket is penetrated by said projecting member and said hollow pressure cell is subjected to an overpressure condition, said cell will fail at said predetermined location. 43. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel, as described in claim 42, wherein said at least one projecting member is removably attached to said outer surface of said hollow pressure cell. 44. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel, as described in claim 28, further comprising: a second pressure relief device, said second pressure relief device disposed upon said outer surface of said hollow pressure cell and comprising at least one projecting member, said at least one projecting member being sized and shaped to penetrate either of said upper and lower reinforcing panels at a predetermined location; and whereby, when said either of said upper and lower reinforcing panels is penetrated by said projecting member and said hollow pressure cell is subjected to an overpressure condition, said cell will fail at said predetermined location. 45. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel, as described in claim 44, wherein said at least one projecting member is removably attached to said outer surface of said hollow pressure cell. 46. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel, as described in claims 1, 2, 4 or 6, further comprising: a third pressure relief device, said third pressure relief device comprising a weakened section of said passageway; and whereby, when said hollow pressure cell is subjected to an overpressure condition, said cell will fail at said weakened section of said passageway. 47. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel, as described in claim 46, wherein said weakened section of said passageway has a smaller cross-sectional area than a balance of said passageway. 48. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel, as described in claims 1, 2, 4 or 6, further comprising high-strength braiding material wound about said passageway, thereby providing additional resistance to pressure in said flexible pressure vessel. 49. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel, as described in claim 47, further comprising: a fourth pressure relief device, said fourth pressure relief device comprising either of a weakening and an absence of high-strength braiding material at a predetermined location along said passageway; and whereby, when said hollow pressure cell is subjected to an overpressure condition, said cell will fail at said predetermined location along said passageway. 50. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel, as described in claims 1, 2, 4 or 6, further comprising hoop winding about said passageway, thereby providing additional resistance to pressure in said flexible pressure vessel. 51. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel, as described in claim 49, further comprising: a fifth pressure relief device, said fifth pressure relief device comprising either of a weakening and an absence of hoop winding at a predetermined location. along said passageway; and whereby, when said hollow pressure cell is subjected to an overpressure condition, said cell will fail at said predetermined location along said passageway. 52. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel, as described in claim 11, further comprising: either of a weakening and a spreading of fibers in either of said first flexible blanket and said second flexible blanket at a predetermined location; said predetermined location being above said outer surface of either of said upper cell portion and said lower cell portion; and whereby, when either of said first flexible blanket and said second flexible blanket has said fibers weakened or spread in said predetermined location and said hollow pressure cell is subjected to an overpressure condition, said cell will fail at said predetermined location. 53. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel, as described in claim 28, further comprising: either of a weakening and a spreading of fibers in either of said upper and lower reinforcing panels at a predetermined location; said predetermined location being above said outer surface of either of said upper cell portion and said lower cell portion; and whereby, when either of said upper and lower reinforcing panels has said fibers weakened or spread in said predetermined location and said hollow pressure cell is subjected to an overpressure condition, said cell will fail at said predetermined location. 54. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel, as described in claims 1, 2, 4 or 6, wherein said connection to either of a passageway of another cell and a valve further comprises: a capillary tube, said capillary tube having a proximate end and a distal end, being formed of resilient material and being sized and shaped to fit slidably within said passageway; high-strength braiding material, said braiding material disposed about said capillary tube and extending along said capillary tube to within a first predetermined distance from said proximate end; said proximate end of said braiding covered capillary tube being inserted into said passageway and either of radio frequency welded and secured with adhesive therein; whereby, when said proximate end of said capillary tube is either of welded and secured with adhesive within said passageway, it will be permanently attached thereto. 55. A method for making the ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 51, comprising the steps of: providing a supply roll of flexible blanket material; supporting said supply roll; moving said flexible blanket material from said supply roll to a work area; tensioning said flexible blanket material in said work area; providing at least one separating member, said separating member being sized and shaped to penetrate and separate fibers of said flexible blanket material; moving said separating member into said tensioned flexible blanket material at a predetermined location in said material, thereby either of weakening and separating said fibers; retracting said separating member from said tensioned flexible blanket material; moving said flexible blanket material from said work area to a storage area; and whereby, said flexible blanket material will have either of weakened and separated fibers in said predetermined location prior to application to said hollow pressure cell. 56. A method for making the ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 52, comprising: providing a supply roll of reinforcing panel material; means for supporting said supply roll; moving said reinforcing panel material from said supply roll to a work area; tensioning said reinforcing panel material in said work area; providing at least one separating member, said separating member being sized and shaped to penetrate and separate fibers of said reinforcing panel material; moving said separating member into said tensioned reinforcing panel material at a predetermined location in said material, thereby either of weakening and separating said fibers; retracting said separating member from said tensioned reinforcing panel material; moving said reinforcing panel material from work area to a storage area; and whereby, said reinforcing panel material will have either of weakened and separated fibers in said predetermined location prior to application to said hollow pressure cell. 57. An ovoid flexible pressure vessel as described in claim 9, further comprising a plastic overcoating.
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