Composite Pressure Vessel Fiber Layout for Gas Barrier and Crack Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure vessels used in hydrogen stations and vehicles require improved gas barrier properties and resistance to cracking, especially with the use of fiber-reinforced resin materials.
Innovation Solution
A pressure vessel design with specific volume fractions of continuous reinforcing fibers in different regions, ranging from 0.80 to 0.99 in the inner region to 0.01 to 1.11 in the outer region, and a central region of 30 to 70 vol.%, along with a fiber-reinforced resin material containing a thermosetting resin like epoxy, to enhance gas barrier properties and reduce cracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If steel is used for high-pressure gas storage tanks, then strength and reliability are improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials consisting of a resin liner layer and a fiber-reinforced outer layer. The liner provides gas barrier properties while the outer layer with continuous fibers (30-70 vol.%) provides structural strength. This composite structure achieves the required strength for high-pressure gas storage while significantly reducing weight compared to solid steel tanks.
2Weight of moving object
If fiber-reinforced resin material is used, then weight is reduced, but gas barrier properties and crack resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct layers with different functions: the inner liner layer provides excellent gas barrier properties, while the outer fiber-reinforced layer provides strength and crack resistance. The continuous fiber content is optimized at 30-70 vol.% in the outer layer to ensure adequate mechanical properties while maintaining gas barrier performance through the liner layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure combines a resin liner material with gas barrier properties and a fiber-reinforced material with continuous fibers. This combination allows the tank to achieve both weight reduction and improved reliability, as the liner prevents gas permeation and the fiber layer provides structural integrity and crack resistance.
3Strength
If continuous fiber content is increased, then strength is improved, but gas barrier properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by applying local quality through spatial differentiation of fiber content. The inner liner layer has low or zero fiber content to maintain excellent gas barrier properties, while the outer layer has high fiber content (30-70 vol.%) to provide structural strength. This localized optimization allows each layer to excel at its specific function without compromising the other.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a pressure vessel with excellent gas barrier properties, less likely to cause cracks, and excellent internal pressure fatigue properties, and a production method thereof. The pressure vessel includes a layer at least in the body part, and the layer includes a fiber-reinforced resin material that contains a resin component and a continuous reinforcing fiber. A ratio (inner region/outer region) of the continuous reinforcing fiber content (vol. %) in the inner region to a continuous reinforcing fiver content (vol. %) in the outer region is from 0.80 to 0.99, where the inner region is up to 0.1% from the inner side of the layer in the thickness direction, and the outer region is up to 0.1% from the outer side of the layer in the thickness direction, and the continuous reinforcing fiber content (vol. %) in the central region of the layer, which is between up to more than 0.1% from the inner side in the thickness direction and up to more than 0.1% from the outer side in the thickness direction, is from 40 to 60 vol. %.