Port Liner Assembly for Composite Pressure Vessels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional composite pressure vessels face challenges in bonding rigid metallic ports to thermoplastic liners, which weakens the mechanical strength and can undermine the structural integrity due to severing of continuous filament reinforcement.
Innovation Solution
A port/liner assembly is developed where a rigid ring element is embedded within a seamless polymeric liner, and a metallic port element is fixed to this ring, with a fiber composite material applied externally to provide structural support and a reliable seal using an o-ring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid metallic ports are bonded directly to thermoplastic liners, then sealing capability is improved, but mechanical strength and structural integrity are weakened
Solution Approach 1:
A rigid ring element serves as an intermediary component between the metallic port and the thermoplastic liner. The ring is embedded within the liner material, distributing the bonding stresses over a larger area and preventing stress concentration that would weaken the liner. This intermediary structure enables reliable sealing while preserving the mechanical strength of the composite pressure vessel.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rigid metallic ports are bonded to composite pressure vessels, then port functionality is achieved, but continuous filament reinforcement is severed undermining structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid ring element acts as a mediator that bridges the metallic port to the composite structure without requiring direct attachment that would sever filaments. The ring is embedded within the thermoplastic liner, allowing the continuous filament reinforcement to remain intact while still providing a secure mounting point for the port through the ring structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The port assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the metallic port element, the rigid ring element embedded in the liner, and the O-ring seal. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the composite vessel, as the ring distributes loads without requiring filament severing.
3Ease of operation
If metallic ports are attached to pressure vessels, then fluid access is provided, but heat-sink issues arise affecting thermal management
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid ring element serves as a thermal intermediary between the metallic port and the thermoplastic liner. It provides a controlled thermal pathway that prevents excessive heat sinking into the liner, thereby maintaining better thermal management for the fluid or gas stored in the pressure vessel while still enabling secure port attachment.
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
This solution enhances the mechanical strength and sealing reliability of the pressure vessel by distributing the metallic port's stress and preventing heat-sink issues, while maintaining the vessel's structural integrity and weight benefits of composite materials.
Implementation Method 1
helping to assure adequate seal under extreme conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure vessel includes a polymeric liner defining a fluid containment cavity and having an opening defining a port aperture extending between an inner surface and an outer surface of the polymeric liner and a rigid ring element is embedded within the polymeric liner and surrounding the port aperture. A metallic port element is disposed on the outer surface of the polymeric liner and fixed to the rigid ring element. A fiber composite material is disposed about the outer surface of the polymeric liner.