Pressure Vessel Closure with Segmented Dome and Cylindrical Penetration Zone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure vessels face challenges in assembling internal components and penetrating their closures, which creates weak points and complicates the assembly and welding processes, especially when off-center penetrations are required.
Innovation Solution
A novel pressure closure design featuring a dome or dome-like portion with optional hollow cylindrical extensions and petaloid projections and valleys, allowing for direct connection and easy integration of openings for control elements, burst disks, or fill ports, facilitating easier assembly and reinforcement without complex geometry or intermediate components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If penetrations are added to the closure to receive control elements or fill ports, then the pressure vessel can perform additional functions, but the structural integrity is weakened and complex reinforcement is required
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is segmented into a domed portion and a cylindrical portion, allowing penetrations to be concentrated in the cylindrical portion rather than the domed portion. This segmentation enables functional openings while preserving the structural integrity of the load-bearing domed section.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the closure are assigned different functions: the domed portion maintains structural integrity and pressure containment, while the cylindrical portion accommodates penetrations and reinforcements. This local differentiation allows the vessel to be both strong and functional.
2Ease of operation
If off-center penetrations are made in the closure, then access for control elements is improved, but intermediate mating components with complex geometry are required
Solution Approach 1:
The cylindrical portion acts as an intermediary structure between the domed closure and the internal components. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies the connection of control elements and fill ports, eliminating the need for complex custom-matched mating components.
3Strength
If the overall thickness of the closure is increased to reinforce penetrations, then structural integrity is improved, but the weight and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is divided into a domed portion and a cylindrical portion, concentrating reinforcements only in the cylindrical portion where penetrations are located. This avoids unnecessary material in the domed portion, reducing overall weight while maintaining strength where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Reinforcements are applied locally in the cylindrical portion surrounding penetration points rather than uniformly throughout the entire closure. This targeted approach provides necessary strength at weak points without increasing the weight of the entire closure structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure vessel formed by either by: a) mating a first end or closure to a second end or closure or b) mating a first end to an intermediate body member and mating the intermediate body member to a second end; the first end comprising a hollowed thin walled dome (14) having an exterior surface (15a) and an interior surface (15b) and the dome terminating in an edge surface (14a), the dome (14) having an axis Y extending through its geometric center of the exterior surface, the dome supporting at least one thin hollow walled projection (16, 18, 20) having an exterior (19a) and interior surface (19b), the at least one projection extending outwardly from the dome outer surface (15a), and terminating in a top surface (16a, 23).