Composite Vessel Assembly With Vacuum-Formed Thin-Walled Liners
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional pressure vessels, such as spherical and cylindrical designs, inefficiently utilize space and are challenging to manufacture due to complex shapes and high internal pressures, necessitating lightweight, high-volume, and low-cost constructions.
Innovation Solution
A method of manufacturing a composite vessel assembly using thin-walled liners enveloped with composite layers, including a hybrid construction of continuous and chopped fibers, and a vacuum-forming process to maintain shape and structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional spherical or cylindrical pressure vessels are used, then structural strength is improved, but space utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the pressure vessel from traditional spherical or cylindrical shapes to a rectangular prism shape with flat surfaces. This parameter change allows the vessel to achieve approximately 90% space utilization efficiency while maintaining structural strength through alternative design features such as corrugated walls and rib reinforcements.
2Volume of moving object
If non-spherical/cylindrical pressure vessels with complex shapes are designed to support high internal pressure, then space utilization is improved, but manufacturing complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the rectangular pressure vessel into multiple modular sections or segments. Each segment can be manufactured separately using standardized processes and then assembled together, reducing the overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining the space-efficient rectangular geometry and high internal pressure capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates controlled curvature elements such as corrugated walls and rib reinforcements in specific locations of the rectangular vessel. These strategic curvature features strengthen the structure to handle high internal pressure while preserving the overall rectangular shape for optimal space utilization, without requiring completely complex curved geometries throughout.
3Weight of moving object
If thin-walled liners are used, then weight is reduced, but structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction for the pressure vessel, combining thin-walled liner materials with reinforcing structures such as corrugations, ribs, and composite overwraps. This composite approach enables the use of lighter thin-walled liners while maintaining structural integrity through the synergistic combination of materials and structural features.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses corrugated walls and rib reinforcements that introduce strategic curvature and geometric strengthening to thin-walled structures. These curved structural features increase the moment of inertia and buckling resistance, allowing thin-walled liners to maintain structural integrity under high internal pressure while minimizing weight.
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 method enables lightweight, high-energy storage density vessels with improved space utilization and structural strength, minimizing weight and manufacturing complexity while providing corrosion resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum-forming process to maintain shape and structural integrity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method of manufacturing a composite vessel assembly (20) includes the steps of filling a first chamber defined by a first liner (28,30,32) with a first granulated material (96) through a first orifice (98) in the first liner. A vacuum is then applied to the first chamber, and the first orifice is plugged. The first liner may then be enveloped with a first layer (84) for structural rigidity followed by relief of the vacuum.