Patent · US Expired

Pressure vessel for compressed gases utilizing a replaceable and flexible liner

US7021488B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
24References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 31, 2003
Grant dateApr 4, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 12, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF17C2270/0745
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A pressure vessel assembly, and method of use, for storing a gas at an elevated pressure. The assembly includes a vessel body having a rigid wall with an inner surface defining a storage chamber and with an inlet allowing the gas to enter the storage chamber. The assembly includes a flexible liner positioned within the storage chamber to be in fluid communication with the inlet to receive any fluid entering the vessel body. The liner is formed of an elastic inner layer contacting the gas and a metallic outer surface. The inflated, unrestrained liner volume is generally at least as large as the chamber volume and more typically, slightly larger. Stored gas contacts the inner surface of the liner and expands the liner from a smaller deflated volume until the outer surface of the liner contacts the wall of the pressure vessel.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.