Modular tank for pressurized gas

Abstract

Modular tank for pressurized gas. The invention relates to a modular tank (1) for pressurized gas, comprising a plurality of substantially identical cylindrical cylinders (10, 20) about an axis (A1, A2), where the cylinders (10, 20) are assembled in pairs, their axes (A1, A2) being parallel, a first cylinder (10) of the assembly having, on a first external wall (11), a first profile (12), a second cylinder (20) of the assembly having, on a second external wall (21) opposite the first external wall (11), a second profile (22), complementary to the first profile (12), so that the first profile (12) and the second profile (22) interpenetrate. Abbreviated figure: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Modular tank for pressurized gas Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a modular tank, composed of a plurality of substantially identical, cylindrical bottles, assembled side by side, their axes being parallel. Prior art

[0002] It is known to produce a modular tank by assembling a plurality of substantially identical, cylindrical bottles in parallel, in order to form a substantially parallelepiped tank.

[0003] Such an embodiment has low compactness due to the lost spaces between two bottles. In addition, the assembly of the bottles poses a problem.

[0004] Also, an alternative embodiment is sought, improving these drawbacks. Summary of the invention

[0005] The subject of the invention is a modular tank for pressurized gas, comprising a plurality of substantially identical cylinders, cylindrical along an axis, where the cylinders are assembled two by two, their axes being parallel, a first cylinder of the assembly having, on a first external wall, a first profile, a second cylinder of the assembly having, on a second external wall opposite the first external wall, a second profile, complementary to the first profile, so that the first profile and the second profile interpenetrate.

[0006] Particular characteristics or embodiments, usable alone or in combination, are:

[0007] - the first profile comprises at least one first mortise and substantially as many of first tenon, alternately arranged and the second profile comprises as many second tenons as first mortises and as many second mortises as first tenons, alternately arranged, each first mortise being capable of receiving a second tenon opposite and each second mortise being capable of receiving a first tenon opposite,

[0008] - the reception of a tenon by a mortise is done with a tight fit,

[0009] - a mortise is hollowed into the thickness of the external wall of a bottle, according to a depth less than the thickness of said external wall,

[0010] - the bottom of a mortise of a bottle of the assembly, is cylindrical along the axis and radius the radius of the other bottle in the assembly,

[0011] - a tenon is formed by the remaining material between two adjacent mortises of a same profile,

[0012] - all mortises and tenons have substantially the same length, measured parallel to the axis,

[0013] - a mortise is prismatic, preferably symmetrical, along a perpendicular axis dicular to the axis, substantially tangent to the bottle carrying the mortise,

[0014] - the axial section of a mortise is rectangular,

[0015] - the axial section of a mortise is dovetail,

[0016] - the mortises and tenons are made by machining,

[0017] - a bottle comprises an external composite structure made by fi- winding lamentary and mortises and tenons are made during filament winding. Brief description of the drawings

[0018] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the appended figures in which:

[0019] [Fig-1] shows, in perspective view, a tank according to the invention comprising four bottles,

[0020] [Fig.2] shows, in exploded perspective view, the tank of [Fig.l],

[0021] [Fig.3] shows, in exploded top view, the tank of [Fig.l],

[0022] [Fig.4] shows, in top view, the tank of [Fig.l],

[0023] [Fig.5] shows, in transverse section, along a cutting plane AA, the reservoir of the [Fig.l],

[0024] [Fig.6] shows, in transverse section, along a cutting plane BB, the reservoir of the [Fig.l]. Description of the embodiments

[0025] With reference to [Fig.l], the invention relates to a modular tank 1 for pressurized gas. The gas can be any type of gas, particularly hydrogen. The gas is under pressure, including very high pressure, up to 1000 bars.

[0026] The tank 1 is constructed in a modular manner, by assembling bottles 10, 20, 30, 40. In order to simplify, these bottles 10, 20, 30, 40 are preferably substantially identical. In order to withstand high pressures, a proven cylindrical shape is retained for the bottles 10, 20, 30, 40.

[0027] In a known manner, such cylindrical bottles are assembled, their axes being parallel. A planar arrangement, as illustrated in [Fig.l] can be retained. Another matrix arrangement, superimposing several planar arrangements can also be retained.

[0028] According to this known embodiment, two adjacent bottles 10, 20 are assembled side by side, a generator of a first bottle 10 being in contact with a generator of the other bottle or second bottle 20. Such cylinder / cylinder contact leaves a significant lost volume between two adjacent bottles 10, 20. In addition, such an assembly requires a means of fixing the bottles together.

[0029] Also, according to a characteristic of the invention, more particularly visible in figures 2 and 4, the bottles 10, 20 are assembled two by two, their respective axes A1, A2 being parallel.

[0030] To produce this assembly, a first bottle 10 of the assembly has, on its external wall, facing the second bottle 20, and which is called the first external wall 11, a profile which is called the first profile 12. In a dual manner, a second bottle 20 of the assembly has, on its external wall facing the first external wall 11, and which is called the second external wall 21, a profile which is called the second profile 22. An external wall 11, 21 is an axial portion of the generating wall of the cylinder. According to one characteristic, the second profile 22 is complementary to the first profile 12, so that the first profile 12 and the second profile 22 interpenetrate each other.

[0031] This interpenetration of the first and second profiles 12, 22, advantageously makes it possible to bring the respective axes A1, A2 of the first and second bottles 10, 20 thus assembled closer together, by an interpenetration magnitude e. This contributes to a reduction in the total volume of the tank 1 and an increase in compactness.

[0032] If D is the diameter of a bottle 10, 20, the width of an assembly of n bottles according to the prior art is equal to nD According to the invention an assembly of n bottles has a reduced width nD - (nl)e, where e is the depth of the interpenetration. Also the size of the tank 1 decreases for an identical storage capacity, increasing the compactness.

[0033] In a planar assembly, as illustrated in figures 1-6, an extreme bottle, having only one neighbor, such as the first bottle 10, comprises a single such first profile 12. On the contrary, an intermediate bottle, such as the second bottle 20, having two neighbors, comprises two such profiles: the second profile 22 arranged on the second wall 21 and the second profile 26 arranged on the second wall 25, diametrically opposite the second wall 21.

[0034] In a rectangular pattern matrix assembly, an intermediate bottle has four neighbors and includes four such profiles. In a hexagonal pattern matrix assembly, an intermediate bottle has six neighbors and includes six such profiles. Generally, a bottle includes as many profiles as it has neighbors.

[0035] According to another characteristic, on the first bottle 10 of the assembly, the first profile 12 comprises at least one first mortise 13 and substantially as many first tenons 14. Here, the term substantially designates the same number to within + / - 1 unit. If the first profile 12 comprises m first mortises 13, it then comprises p = m-1, soft m+1 first tenons 14. First mortises 13 and first tenons 14 are alternately arranged: a first tenon 14 a first mortise 13, a first tenon 14, etc.

[0036] On the second bottle 20 of the assembly, the second profile 22, complementary to the first profile 12, comprises as many second tenons 24 as the first profile 12 comprises first mortises 13, i.e. m. It also comprises as many second mortises 23 as the first profile 12 comprises first tenons 14, i.e. p. Second mortises 23 and second tenons 24 are alternately arranged.

[0037] Each first mortise 13 is shaped to be able to accommodate a second tenon 24 opposite it. Similarly, each second mortise 23 is shaped to be able to accommodate a first tenon 14 opposite it.

[0038] According to another characteristic, the reception of a tenon 14, 24 by a mortise 13, 23 is done with a tight fit. Also, the mutual interpenetration of the first and second profiles 12, 22, contributes to the mutual fixing of the first and second bottles 10, 20.

[0039] According to another characteristic, a mortise 13, 23 is shaped as a hollow in the thickness of the external wall 11, 21 of the bottle 10, 20 which carries it. This hollow has a depth necessarily less than the thickness of said external wall 11, 21. The depth of the hollow is equal to the interpenetration e.

[0040] The shape of the bottom of a mortise 13, 23 can be any. Similarly, the shape of the end of a tenon 14, 24 can be any. Advantageously, the two preceding shapes are complementary.

[0041] According to another characteristic, the bottom of a mortise 13, 23 of a bottle 10, 20 of the assembly is cylindrical with axis A1, A2 and radius R1, R2 of the other bottle 10, 20 of the assembly. Such a shape of the bottom of the mortise 13, 23 is doubly advantageous. Such a shape is advantageous in that it does not require modification of the shape of a tenon 14, 24. And in that a single shaping of the mortise 13, 23 makes it directly complementary to the shape of the tenon 14, 24.

[0042] This characteristic is more particularly illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 which respectively show a section AA and a section BB of an assembly of 10-40 bottles. The section planes AA and BB are defined in [Fig.4]. The plane AA cuts a first mortise 13 and a second tenon 24, while the plane BB cuts a first tenon 14 and a second mortise 23.

[0043] According to another characteristic, a tenon 14, 24 is formed by default, in that it is formed by the material remaining between two adjacent mortises 13, 23 of the same profile 12, 22. According to this advantageous characteristic, only the mortises 13, 23 are shaped. The tenons 14, 24 are deduced from the shaping of the mortises 13, 23.

[0044] According to another characteristic, all the mortises 13, 23 and all the tenons 14, 24 have substantially the same length L, measured parallel to the axis A1, A2. Thus the length L of a tenon 14, 24 is such that it fits, preferably in a fitted manner, into a mortise 13, 23 of complementary dimension L.

[0045] According to another characteristic, a mortise 13, 23 is prismatic. This means that it is deduced from a section translated along a rectilinear segment, said rectilinear segment being perpendicular to the axis A1, A2 and substantially tangent to the bottle 10, 20 carrying the mortise 13, 23. Said section of the mortise 13, 23 is preferably symmetrical, relative to the rectilinear segment.

[0046] The axial section of a mortise 13, 23 can be substantially any.

[0047] According to another characteristic, said translated section or axial section of a mortise 13, 23 is rectangular. The axial section is defined by a section plane radial to the bottle 10, 20 and passing through the axis A1, A2 of the bottle 10, 20 carrying the mortise 13, 23.

[0048] According to another characteristic, the axial section of a mortise 13, 23 is dovetail. The section of a corresponding tenon 14, 24 is complementary. This characteristic advantageously makes it possible to produce a solid assembly of the two bottles 10, 20 by mutually engaging the tenons 13, 23 in the mortises 14, 24.

[0049] At least two embodiments of the profiles 12, 22 appear.

[0050] According to a first embodiment, the bottles 10, 20 are produced beforehand by any means. Then, in a second step, the mortises 13, 23 and the tenons 14, 24 are produced by machining by removing material from the bottles 10, 20 at the mortises 13, 23.

[0051] A bottle 10, 20 can be produced on the basis of a composite structure. This composite structure is, in a known manner, conventionally produced by filament winding. According to another embodiment, the mortises 13, 23 and the tenons 14, 24 are produced directly during the filament winding.

[0052] Such an embodiment is advantageous for a bottle 10, 20 with a composite structure, compared to the previous embodiment, in that the reinforcing fibers of the composite are not cut by the machining, at the risk of weakening the structure.

[0053] The invention also relates to a method for assembling the bottles 10, 20, 30, 40 to form a tank 1. This method comprises the following steps. During a first step, the bottles and their profiles 12, 22 are produced. A second step deposits hot resin in the mortises 13, 23 and maintains a high temperature so that the resin remains viscous. A third step assembles the bottles two by two, in a stack, by engaging the tenons 14, 24 in the corresponding mortises 13, 23. During a fourth step, the assembly is cooled so as to solidify the resin and to carry out welding between the bottles 10, 20.

[0054] It is still possible to reinforce / secure this assembly by means of a composite belt encircling the bottles 10, 20.

[0055] The invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the preceding description. This should be considered as illustrative and given by way of example and not as limiting the invention to this description alone. Numerous alternative embodiments are possible. List of reference signs

[0056] 1: tank,

[0057] 10: first bottle,

[0058] 11: first external wall,

[0059] 12: first profile,

[0060] 13: first mortise,

[0061] 14: first tenon,

[0062] 20: second bottle,

[0063] 21: second external wall,

[0064] 22: second profile,

[0065] 23: second mortise,

[0066] 24: second tenon,

[0067] 25: external wall,

[0068] 26: profile,

[0069] 30: third bottle,

[0070] 40: fourth bottle,

[0071] Al: axis of the first bottle,

[0072] A2: axis of the second bottle,

[0073] D: diameter of a bottle,

[0074] n: number of bottles,

[0075] m: number of mortises,

[0076] P: number of tenons,

[0077] L: length of a mortise, length of a tenon,

[0078] RI: radius of the first bottle,

[0079] R2: radius of the second bottle.

Claims

Claims

1. Modular tank (1) for pressurized gas, comprising a plurality of substantially identical cylinders (10, 20, 30, 40), cylindrical along an axis (A1, A2), in which the cylinders (10, 20, 30, 40) are assembled two by two, their axis (A1, A2) being parallel, a first cylinder (10) of the assembly having, on a first external wall (11), a first profile (12), a second cylinder (20) of the assembly having, on a second external wall (21) opposite the first external wall (11), a second profile (22), complementary to the first profile (12), so that the first profile (12) and the second profile (22) interpenetrate, and in which the first profile (12) comprises at least one first mortise (13) and substantially as many first tenons (14), alternately arranged and the second profile (22) comprises as many second tenon (24) as first mortise (13) and as many second mortises (23) as first tenons (14),alternately arranged, each first mortise (13) being capable of receiving a second tenon (24) opposite and each second mortise (23) being capable of receiving a first tenon (14) opposite, characterized in that where the bottom of a mortise (13, 23) of a bottle (10, 20) of the assembly, is cylindrical with axis the axis (A1, A2) and radius the radius (R1, R2) of the other bottle (10, 20) of the assembly.,

2. Tank (1) according to claim 1, wherein the reception of a tenon (14, 24) by a mortise (13, 23) is made with a tight fit.

3. Tank (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a mortise (13, 23) is hollow in the thickness of the external wall (11, 21) of a bottle (10, 20), to a depth less than the thickness of said external wall (11, 21).

4. Tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a tenon (14, 24) is formed by the remaining material between two adjacent mortises (13, 23) of the same profile (12, 22).

5. Tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein all the mortises (13, 23) and all the tenons (14, 24) have substantially the same length (L), measured parallel to the axis (A1, A2).

6. Tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, where a mortise (13, 23) is prismatic, preferably symmetrical, along an axis perpendicular to the axis (A1, A2), substantially tangent to the bottle (10, 20) carrying the mortise (13, 23).

7. Tank (1) according to the preceding claim, where the axial section of a mortise (13, 23) is rectangular.

8. Tank (1) according to any one of the two preceding claims, wherein the axial section of a mortise (13, 23) is dovetail.

9. Tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mortises (13, 23) and the tenons (14, 24) are produced by machining.

10. A tank (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein a bottle (10, 20) comprises a composite structure made by filament winding and wherein the mortises (13, 23) and tenons (14, 24) are made during filament winding.

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