Tank apparatus with open weave reinforcing patch structure
US6898373B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 22, 2003 |
| Grant date | May 24, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 22, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF24H1/181
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A filament-wound tank portion of an electric water heater has a wall opening through which an electric heating element of other structure extends into the interior of the tank. The opening is reinforced by a stacked series of single layer, open weave patch members which are interdigitated with layers of the filament winding and through which the opening extends. The filament winding and the patches are impregnated with and intersecured by a cured resin material. As an alternative to cutting portions of the patches during formation of the tank wall opening, the patches may be provided with suitable pre-formed openings with reinforced peripheries, the subsequently formed tank wall opening extending through these reinforced, pre-formed patch openings. The single layer, open weave patches are also utilized to reinforce other types of filament-based tank wall structures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.