Type V Pressure Vessel With Plasma-Deposited Gas Barrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Type V pressure vessels face challenges in achieving gas-tightness without reducing storage volume, increasing weight, or requiring lengthy application processes, and are not compatible with all pressure vessel structures.

Innovation Solution

A Type V pressure vessel design featuring a plasma-based metal deposition process for a thin gas barrier layer, coupled with a modular boss assembly, allowing for efficient assembly and compatibility with various structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a resin material layer is used to prevent gas permeation, then gas-tightness is improved, but storage volume is reduced and weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas-tightnessVSAvoidstorage volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameter from resin to metal (aluminum, titanium, or their alloys) and reduces the thickness parameter from micrometers to nanometers (5-100 nm), achieving the same gas barrier function with dramatically reduced volume occupation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite structure by depositing a thin metal gas barrier layer on the inner surface of the composite pressure vessel, combining the structural integrity of composite materials with the gas barrier properties of metal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a resin material layer is used to prevent gas permeation, then gas-tightness is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas-tightnessVSAvoidweight of pressure vessel
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material density parameter by replacing resin with lightweight metals (aluminum density 2.7 g/cm³ or titanium density 4.5 g/cm³) and reduces the thickness parameter to 5-100 nm, achieving gas-tightness with minimal weight addition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The gas barrier function is applied locally only where needed (inner surface of the pressure vessel) using a thin metal layer, rather than using a thick resin layer throughout, reducing overall weight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If resin material is used to cover the inner surface, then gas-tightness is improved, but manufacturing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas-tightnessVSAvoidapplication time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical application process of resin coating with a plasma-based physical vapor deposition process, which deposits metal atoms directly onto the inner surface, significantly reducing application time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The plasma-based deposition process utilizes phase transitions of metal material from vapor state to solid state on the inner surface, enabling rapid and uniform coating formation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

4Reliability

If a diffusion barrier layer is used, then gas permeation is prevented, but the solution is not compatible with all pressure vessel structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas permeation preventionVSAvoidstructure compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The plasma-based metal deposition process is designed to be universally applicable to different pressure vessel structures (one-piece or multi-piece reinforced bodies), making the gas barrier solution adaptable to various vessel configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 a gas-tight pressure vessel with reduced weight and manufacturing time, maintaining storage volume, and flexibility in structure compatibility.

Implementation Method 1

a first gas barrier metal layer made from a first metallic material deposited on the first inner surface using a plasma-based metal deposition process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasma-based metal deposition: Physical Vapour Deposition

Data Source

PatentEP4413289B1Type v pressure vessel having a gas barrier metal layer
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 PLASTIC OMNIUM NEW ENERGIES FRANCE
  • EP4413289B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP4413289B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~3
  • EP4413289B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4c

AI summary

Type V pressure vessel having a gas barrier metal layer Type V pressure vessel (1) comprising an external composite structure (10) enclosing or encasing an internal composite structure (20), wherein the internal composite structure (20) comprises a first inner surface (21) defining an internal gas storage chamber (30), a first gas barrier metal layer (22) made from a first metallic material deposited on the first inner surface (21) using a plasma-based metal deposition process, a cylindrical central part (24), and a boss assembly (23) coupled to the cylindrical central part (24) by means of a first coupling means, the boss assembly (23) comprises a dome-shaped cap (26) and a boss part (25) coupled to the dome-shaped cap (26) by means of a second coupling means.