Pressure Vessel End Protection With Wound Filament Bands

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pressure vessels are susceptible to damage during transportation and use, which can compromise their ability to retain fluid pressure, and existing damage mitigation methods, such as adhesive caps and additional material layers, increase complexity and material usage.

Innovation Solution

A pressure vessel end component secured by filament bands wound around the domed end portion, featuring raised and low portions, allows attachment of a protective cap through snap-fit joints or fasteners, reducing material usage and enhancing security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If adhesive caps are used to protect pressure vessels, then damage mitigation is achieved, but the caps may become dislodged during use reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage to pressure vesselVSAvoidcap retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces adhesive bonding with a mechanical attachment system using a clamping mechanism that applies radial compression force to secure the cap to the pressure vessel. This mechanical system provides reliable retention during use while maintaining damage mitigation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the attachment mechanism from chemical bonding (adhesive) to mechanical bonding (clamping with radial compression). The clamping mechanism adjusts the radial compression force parameter to achieve secure attachment that prevents dislodging during vessel use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If additional protective layers or end caps are fully covered by shell material, then damage protection is improved, but material usage and manufacturing complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage to pressure vesselVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the protective system into distinct components: the pressure vessel shell, the protective end cap, and the clamping mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately and assembled, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining protective functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the protective cap from the shell material covering approach. Instead of embedding the cap within additional shell layers, the cap is positioned externally and secured by the clamping mechanism, eliminating the need for complex multi-layer shell construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If shell thickness is increased to mitigate damage, then protection is improved, but weight and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage to pressure vesselVSAvoidvessel weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a clamping mechanism as an intermediary component between the protective cap and the pressure vessel shell. This intermediary applies radial compression force to secure the cap without requiring increased shell thickness, thereby avoiding additional weight while maintaining protective functionality.

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 reliable protection against damage while minimizing material and manufacturing complexity, ensuring the pressure vessel maintains its integrity.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of raised portions (28a, 28b, 28c, 28d) and a plurality of low portions (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d) arranged in an alternating pattern about the end component (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of filament bands (44) wound upon the domed end portion (15) and over at least a part of the end component (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Data Source

PatentEP3426967B1Wound-in end protection component for pressure vessel

Publication Date: 2025.10.22 HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY AS

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

An assembly (50) includes a pressure vessel (10) for containing a fluid, the vessel (10) including a domed end portion (15) having an outer surface (64); and a component (22) positioned at the domed end portion (15), wherein the component (22) is attached to the outer surface (64) by a plurality of filament bands (44) wound upon the domed end portion (15) and over at least a part of the component (22). In another aspect, an apparatus is described for preventing damage to a vessel (10). The apparatus includes a component (22) configured to be positioned at the domed end portion (15), wherein the component (22) is configured to be attached to the outer surface (64) by a plurality of filament bands (44) wound upon the domed end portion (15) and over at least a part of the component (22). A method for attaching a component (22) to a vessel (10) is described that includes positioning the component (22) at the domed end portion (15) and winding a plurality of filament bands (44).