Composite Neck for Pressurized Fluid Tank
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressurized fluid storage tanks for motor vehicles face leakage issues due to deformation of the neck under the action of the gasket, and existing solutions either increase weight or complexity, or are costly.
Innovation Solution
An internal casing with a neck made of a composite material comprising a second polymer material loaded with reinforcing fibers, joined to a hollow body made of a first polymer material through molecular entanglement of polymer chains, providing enhanced resistance to deformation without significant weight increase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a more resistant material is used for the neck to prevent deformation, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the internal casing becomes thicker, heavier, and more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The neck is made of a composite material consisting of a thermoplastic polymer matrix reinforced with inorganic fibers (glass, carbon, or ceramic fibers). This composite structure provides the necessary mechanical strength and resistance to deformation while maintaining a lightweight design, avoiding the need to increase the thickness of the internal casing.
2Reliability
If a more resistant material is used for the neck to prevent deformation, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The use of composite materials with inorganic fibers in a thermoplastic matrix provides the required mechanical properties at lower cost compared to using entirely more resistant materials. The composite structure achieves the necessary strength-to-cost ratio for the neck component.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameters by selecting specific thermoplastic polymers (polyamide, polyphthalamide, polyolefin, polyketone, or polyacetal) combined with inorganic fibers, optimizing the balance between mechanical resistance and manufacturing cost.
3Reliability
If the neck resistance to deformation is increased, then the probability of reuse during maintenance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The composite material structure with inorganic fiber reinforcement provides high deformation resistance without requiring complex structural designs. The material itself delivers the necessary mechanical properties, keeping the neck structure simple while enabling reuse during maintenance operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents leaks, allows for easier reuse of components during maintenance, and maintains the internal casing's integrity while being relatively lightweight and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
the neck being joined to the hollow body by molecular entanglement of polymer chains of the first polymer material and polymer chains of the second polymer material
Data Source
AI summary
An internal casing for a pressurized fluid storage tank for a motor vehicle includes: a hollow body includes a layer made of a first polymer material; and a neck arranged on the hollow body and delimiting an opening of the hollow body, the neck receiving an interface part mounted on the neck in a sealed manner by a gasket arranged between the neck and the interface part. The neck is made of a composite material composed of a second polymer material loaded with reinforcing fibers, the composite material having a deformation resistance than that of the first polymer material. The neck is joined to the hollow body by molecular entanglement of polymer chains of the first polymer material and polymer chains of the second polymer material. Methods for manufacturing such an internal casing, and a storage tank including such an internal casing are disclosed.