High-Pressure Tank Reinforcement With Variable Fiber Width
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional manufacturing method of high-pressure tanks, where the fiber tension in the outer layer is higher than in the inner layer, can cause loosening of the fiber in the inner layer, leading to a decrease in the rupture strength of the reinforcement layer.
Innovation Solution
A high-pressure tank design featuring a reinforcement layer with a band-shaped fiber bundle that is wound around the liner, where the width of the fiber bundle increases from the inner to the outer peripheral portion, and a manufacturing method and apparatus that implement this design to ensure consistent fiber tension and improved reinforcement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fiber tension in the outer layer is set to be higher than that in the inner layer, then separation at the interface between layers is suppressed, but the fiber in the inner layer loosens and rupture strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the fiber bundle width vary radially - wider at the outer peripheral portion and narrower at the inner peripheral portion. This non-uniform width distribution creates different tension characteristics in different regions, allowing the outer layer to maintain higher tension for interface bonding while the inner layer maintains sufficient tension for strength, thus resolving the contradiction between interface separation resistance and rupture strength.
2Ease of manufacture
If the fiber bundle width is uniform throughout the reinforcement layer, then manufacturing is simplified, but fiber loosening occurs in the inner layer reducing rupture strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by specifying that the fiber bundle width should be larger at the outer peripheral portion and smaller at the inner peripheral portion. This deliberate variation in width across different regions allows the inner layer fibers to maintain appropriate tension without loosening, while the outer layer provides sufficient bonding strength, thereby improving rupture strength without excessively complicating the manufacturing process.
3Strength
If the fiber bundle width increases from inner to outer peripheral portion, then fiber loosening is prevented and rupture strength improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the fiber bundle width parameter across the radial direction - specifically making it larger at the outer peripheral portion and smaller at the inner peripheral portion. This controlled parameter variation optimizes the tension distribution to prevent fiber loosening and improve rupture strength. The patent provides specific width ratio ranges (outer width to inner width ratio of 1.05 to 1.30) to guide manufacturing precision requirements, balancing performance improvement with manufacturability.
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 proposed solution effectively enhances the rupture strength of the reinforcement layer, preventing fiber loosening and ensuring the tank's integrity even under repeated gas filling and discharging in high-temperature, high-humidity environments.
Implementation Method 1
a reinforcement layer forming step of forming the reinforcement layer by curing the curable resin included in the band-shaped fiber bundle wound around the outer surface
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a high-pressure tank in which rupture strength of a reinforcement layer can be improved more surely than in a conventional technique. The high-pressure tank includes a liner having a hollow interior and a reinforcement layer formed on an outer surface of the liner. The reinforcement layer includes unit layers stacked on the outer surface of the liner. A unit layer includes a band-shaped fiber bundle (band B) which includes a curable resin and is wound around the liner such that the band-shaped fiber bundle (band B) is disposed in line along a width of the unit layer. The band-shaped fiber bundle (band B) widens as the unit layers are stacked from an inner peripheral portion of the reinforcement layer to an outer peripheral portion of the reinforcement layer.