Modular Collar for High-Pressure Composite Bottles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current high-pressure bottle technologies face issues with gas permeability, weight, and maintenance due to the disintegration of metallic and plastic interfaces under high pressure, and lack of replaceable seals, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A modular collar for high-pressure bottles composed of metallic elements with a conical internal sealing ring and toroidal seals, allowing for secure attachment and maintenance, distributed torque for reduced stress on the core, and integration with composite material reinforcement for enhanced sealing and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a metallic structure is used for the nozzle and outlet, then perfect sealing and accommodation of threaded valve are guaranteed, but the final product becomes heavy and impractical to move

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidbottle weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle is divided into separate metallic components (outlet, collar, reinforcement elements) that are selectively applied only where needed for sealing and structural support, rather than using a complete metallic structure throughout. This segmentation allows the bottle to maintain light weight while achieving perfect sealing at critical interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines metallic elements (for sealing and structural integrity) with synthetic materials and reinforcement fibers (for light weight) to create a composite nozzle structure. This composite approach allows the bottle to achieve both perfect sealing performance and reduced weight by using each material where it provides the most benefit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Weight of moving object

If circumferential wrapping with reinforcement fibers and resins is implemented to reduce metallic structure thickness, then weight is reduced, but the structure becomes partially permeable to gas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebottle weightVSAvoidgas tightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Metallic sealing elements and toroidal seals are introduced as intermediary components between the core and the reinforcement wrapping. These intermediaries prevent gas penetration through the interface, allowing the reinforcement fibers to provide structural support without compromising gas tightness. The metallic collar and seals act as mediators that bridge the gap between lightweight composite structure and gas-tight sealing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If an elastic internal ring is used to allow dilatation, then insertion is permitted, but the ring is not blocked axially and could fall inside the container losing functionality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedilatation capabilityVSAvoidring position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The internal ring is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to dilate elastically during insertion while maintaining axial positioning through conical geometry and friction. The ring transitions from a flexible state during insertion to a stabilized state during operation, where the conical surface and friction forces prevent axial movement while preserving the ability to accommodate pressure variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of manufacture

If the metallic structure thickness is reduced by circumferential wrapping, then production costs are reduced, but the interface between plastic material and outlet surface allows gas penetration and delamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidinterface sealing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Toroidal seals and metallic collar elements are introduced as intermediary components at the interface between the plastic core and the outlet. These intermediaries prevent gas penetration and delamination by creating reliable sealing surfaces, allowing the use of thinner metallic structures and reducing production costs while maintaining interface sealing integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 provides long-term tightness, reduces bottle weight, facilitates handling, and enables maintenance and seal replacement, preventing gas delamination even at high pressures.

Implementation Method 1

an internal sealing ring of the integral, not elastic split, type, of conical type, able to contain a toroidal seal between said ring and the core of the bottle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical sealing:

Implementation Method 2

The nozzle is composed of several elements made of metal or metal alloy, which are stably locked to each other by means of threads

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThreaded fastening: Screw

Implementation Method 3

stably locked to each other by means of threads and/or welding and/or adhesive bonding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Implementation Method 4

stably locked to each other by means of threads and/or welding and/or adhesive bonding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 5

lined on the outside by several layers of reinforcement fibers and/or synthetic resins

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectComposite material reinforcement: Composite Materials

Data Source

PatentEP2440834B1Collar for high-pressure bottles and process for its construction
Publication Date: 2019.04.24 CTS SPA
  • EP2440834B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2440834B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2440834B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention concerns a collar (4) for high-pressure bottles (and the process for its implementation), characterized in that it is composed of two elements attachable to each other, which can be integrated in the mass (3) of the container itself, formed of composite material, metal alloy, synthetic material, resins and reinforcement fibers. The internal - extractable - element (4.2) of the nozzle (4) presents in its internal part a hexagonal through hole (9), whereas the upper part presents a thread for fixation of a valve or tap; on the upper external part there is located a thread for coupling with the external element (4.9), whereas on the lower part there is an annular seat for receiving a seal (5) in direct contact with the core (2). A similar seal (5) is provided on the external element (4.9). Between the two elements (4.2) and (4.9) - on the lower part -, the terminal of the core (2) is fixed: the assembly is then enclosed on its exterior in a plurality of wrapping layers made of reinforcement fibers and synthetic resins.