WO1997027105A1 - High pressure storage tank - Google Patents

High pressure storage tank Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1997027105A1
WO1997027105A1 PCT/US1997/000993 US9700993W WO9727105A1 WO 1997027105 A1 WO1997027105 A1 WO 1997027105A1 US 9700993 W US9700993 W US 9700993W WO 9727105 A1 WO9727105 A1 WO 9727105A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
high pressure
storage tank
pressure storage
reinforcement matrix
tank according
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/000993
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Robert J. Setlock, Jr.
Bhavin V. Mehta
Original Assignee
Ohio University
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ohio University filed Critical Ohio University
Priority to AU18348/97A priority Critical patent/AU1834897A/en
Publication of WO1997027105A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997027105A1/en

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C1/00—Pressure vessels, e.g. gas cylinder, gas tank, replaceable cartridge
    • F17C1/02—Pressure vessels, e.g. gas cylinder, gas tank, replaceable cartridge involving reinforcing arrangements
    • F17C1/08—Integral reinforcements, e.g. ribs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
    • B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
    • B60K15/03006—Gas tanks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
    • B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
    • B60K15/073—Tank construction specially adapted to the vehicle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0147—Shape complex
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0147—Shape complex
    • F17C2201/0157—Polygonal
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0147—Shape complex
    • F17C2201/0161—Honeycomb
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0147—Shape complex
    • F17C2201/0171—Shape complex comprising a communication hole between chambers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/056—Small (<1 m3)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/01—Reinforcing or suspension means
    • F17C2203/011—Reinforcing means
    • F17C2203/013—Reinforcing means in the vessel, e.g. columns
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0602—Wall structures; Special features thereof
    • F17C2203/0604—Liners
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0602—Wall structures; Special features thereof
    • F17C2203/0607—Coatings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0602—Wall structures; Special features thereof
    • F17C2203/0612—Wall structures
    • F17C2203/0614—Single wall
    • F17C2203/0619—Single wall with two layers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0602—Wall structures; Special features thereof
    • F17C2203/0612—Wall structures
    • F17C2203/0614—Single wall
    • F17C2203/0621—Single wall with three layers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0636—Metals
    • F17C2203/0639—Steels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0636—Metals
    • F17C2203/0646—Aluminium
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0658—Synthetics
    • F17C2203/066—Plastics
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0658—Synthetics
    • F17C2203/0663—Synthetics in form of fibers or filaments
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0658—Synthetics
    • F17C2203/0663—Synthetics in form of fibers or filaments
    • F17C2203/0673—Polymers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0323—Valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2209/00—Vessel construction, in particular methods of manufacturing
    • F17C2209/22—Assembling processes
    • F17C2209/221—Welding
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2209/00—Vessel construction, in particular methods of manufacturing
    • F17C2209/22—Assembling processes
    • F17C2209/227—Assembling processes by adhesive means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F17C2221/032—Hydrocarbons
    • F17C2221/033—Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F17C2221/032—Hydrocarbons
    • F17C2221/035—Propane butane, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0107—Single phase
    • F17C2223/0123—Single phase gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/036—Very high pressure (>80 bar)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/01—Propulsion of the fluid
    • F17C2227/0128—Propulsion of the fluid with pumps or compressors
    • F17C2227/0157—Compressors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/01—Improving mechanical properties or manufacturing
    • F17C2260/011—Improving strength
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/01—Improving mechanical properties or manufacturing
    • F17C2260/018—Adapting dimensions
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0165—Applications for fluid transport or storage on the road
    • F17C2270/0168—Applications for fluid transport or storage on the road by vehicles
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0186—Applications for fluid transport or storage in the air or in space
    • F17C2270/0189—Planes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0186—Applications for fluid transport or storage in the air or in space
    • F17C2270/0194—Applications for fluid transport or storage in the air or in space for use under microgravity conditions, e.g. space
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0186—Applications for fluid transport or storage in the air or in space
    • F17C2270/0197—Rockets
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/05—Applications for industrial use
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/07—Applications for household use

Definitions

  • the present invention is in the field of high pressure storage tanks. Background
  • HPSTs HPST tanks
  • HPSTs One of the obstacles to the use of HPSTs in many applications is that it is often necessary or most desirable to provide HPSTs which do not have radial symmetry and which have relatively few or no degrees of symmetry. Such reduced symmetry tanks may find use in a wide variety of applications where spatial limitations and/or gas supply
  • the present invention is directed to the development of a storage system which is composed of three elemental subsystems.
  • the first, and primary subsystem is a "semi- solid" inner matrix which may be either machined or molded into the desired shape.
  • This "semi-solid" inner matrix may be a metallic, polymeric or composite material of an optimal configuration.
  • the structure of the selected material shall either be perforated or sufficiently porous or semi-permeable to allow for the migration of the stored gas at a sutTicient rate to meet the desired flow volume flow requirements.
  • the selected material preferably should also provide enough solid structure such that it will carry the required
  • the second subsystem is a hermetically sealing surface coating (usually in the
  • the third subsystem are the internal arteries, passageways or conduits, which provide for substantially homogenous distribution, storage, and recovery of stored gas within the "semi-solid" inner matrix. These arteries are intended to converge upon a single location for the passage of the gas in and out of the storage system, and may be
  • the reinforcement matrix comprises elements that supply substantially linear force resistance vectors against the outward tension applied to the opposing walls of the storage tank.
  • the present invention in broadest terms, includes a high pressure storage tank comprising: (a) a tank having a fill opening and a tank body (that is, the portion of the tank's shape not including the valve opening) liaving inner surface wails defining an interior volume; and (b) a reinforcement matrix disposed in the tank body and attached to the inner walls, the reinforcement matrix is of a solid material and displaces no more than 50%, preferably no more than 33% of the interior volume; and most preferably no more than 25% o the interior volume; and as little as no more, than 20% o the interior volume.
  • the HPST of the present invention may be such that the tank body is of a shape having no radial symmetry; and may be of a shape having no linear symmetry.
  • HPST of the present invention also may be such that the tank body is of a shape having
  • the symmetry of a storage tank shall refer to the general shape of its contained volume irrespective of any shaping attendant to the inclusion of openings , valve bodies, etc.
  • the HPST of the present invention may be of a material selected from any material appropriate for use in pressurized tanks, such as those selected from the group
  • metals e.g., carbon steel, aluminum
  • carbon fiber e.g., carbon fiber, fiberglass
  • the reinforcement matrix in the HPSTs of the present invention may be of any shape adapted to distribute stresses bearing on the tank body inner walls. Such shapes
  • honeycomb shapes of rectangular, hexagonal and octagonal cell shapes may be attached to the inner walls of the HPST by any means
  • the reinforcement matrix may be integrally manufactured or manufactured in a secondary
  • the HPSTs of the present invention preferably may be such that the reinforcement matrix displaces no more than 33% of the interior volume, typically for
  • HPSTs of the present invention may be used to supply fuel tanks for welding
  • Figure 1 is a partially sectioned perspective view of a high pressure storage tank in
  • Figure 2 is a partially sectioned perspective view of a high pressure storage tank in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention
  • Figure 3 is an environmental view of a high pressure storage tank shown in an
  • Figure 4 is a computer generated three-dimensional representation of a rectangular
  • Figure 5 is a computer generated three-dimensional representation of a rectangular
  • a high pressure storage tank 10 appearing in an external, perspective view of Figure 1 , includes a fill opening 12 and a tank body 14, configured to serve as a
  • the fill opening 12 is connected to a conduit 16 which serves as a passage for the flow of gas in and out of the tank 10.
  • the location of the fill opening 12 is not critical to the functioning of the tank 10.
  • the tank body's opposed inner walls define the interior volume of the tank 10.
  • the tank body also has a non-permeable outer surface 19.
  • the high pressure storage tank 10 is also shown with an inner reinforcement
  • HPST high pressure storage tank
  • the structure of matrix 18 can be porous, or semi-permeable enough to allow
  • the matrix 18 can be formed from either a polymeric, composite or metallic material. The selected material should provide enough solid
  • the reinforcement matrix 18 may be of any stress-distributing shape — typically regularly arranged matrices - such as those selected from the group consisting of
  • the reinforcement matrix 18 is comprised of interlacing supports 20. The spacing between these supports 20 determines the density of the matrix 18.
  • the desired spacing for a particular HPST 10 will depend on the shape of the tank 10, the desired volume limitations, the material selected for the matrix 18 and upon the intended use of the tank 10.
  • the reinforcement matrix 18 displaces no more than 20-50% of the interior volume of the tank 10. The selected material for the
  • reinforcement matrix 18 should also provide enough "hollow" area within the interior of the tank 10 to volumetrically outperform current pressure vessels configured to fit within the same physical envelope.
  • the matrix shape, spacing and density may be determined preferably through the use of finite element method computer design programs, such as
  • the tank body 14 of the HPST 10 may be made of any material appropriate for
  • containing gas at the desired operating pressures may be selected from materials such
  • the exterior of the tank body 14 is coated with a hermetically sealing surface
  • the surface coating 22 should be easily applicable to the selected reinforcement matrix 18. Such coatings may be
  • coatings used in the art such as paints and vinylized coatings.
  • the reinforcement matrix 18 is attached to the inner walls of the tank 10 by
  • a portion ofthe tank body 14 and at least a portion ofthe reinforcement matrix 18 may be integrally
  • the reinforcement matrix 18 contains
  • the internal arteries 24 which provide for substantially homogeneous distribution, storage, and recovery of stored gas.
  • the internal arteries 24 converge upon a single location in the
  • HPST 10 for purposes of facilitating the passage ofthe stored gas in and out of the HPST
  • the present invention thus may provide a high pressure storage tank for applications which contain irregularly shaped envelopes in which to place such a tank. This new flexibility of the physical configuration will allow for more efficient utilization
  • Natural gas is a widely available, underutilized, domestic natural resource. Natural gas is also less expensive than gasoline and more environmentally benign when burned.
  • Figure 3 illustrates a typical automobile 26 with a typically shaped storage tank 28
  • the storage tank 28 is of an irregular shape, rather than a spherical or cylindrical shape.
  • the storage tank 28 is of an irregular shape, rather than a spherical or cylindrical shape.
  • the envelope of the storage tank 28 of Figure 3 would have much less capacity than the
  • the HPST 10 of the present invention may solve this problem by providing an irregularly shaped high pressure storage vessel which can be fabricated to conform to any spatial envelope. The net effect is that when a gasoline tank is replaced with a HPST 10 of the
  • the effective range between fill-ups for a typical passenger car is drastically reduced.
  • Figure 5 shows a tank containing a reinforcement matrix that might be used in a steel AISl 4340 tank having a .004 inch inner wall thickness and .25 inch cell size; and providing a 215 IbsVsq. in. maximum
  • HPST 10 of the present invention can be any HPST 10 of the present invention.
  • space efficiency is desired; such as planes, rockets, and even mobile homes.
  • the HPST 10 of the present invention can be formed of a completely irregularly
  • the HPST 10 of the present invention can be formed with a tank body 14
  • HPST 10 of the present invention addresses and solves this problem of safely storing compressed gas in irregularly shaped containers.
  • the present invention also provides the advantage of a non-explosive catastrophic
  • present invention provides for a cascading failure mode resulting in greater safety margins
  • the present invention also includes methods for filling an HPST and for storing a
  • method of filling may be carried out using any source of pressurized gas known in the art, such as pressurized tanks or compressors.
  • pressurized tanks or compressors any source of pressurized gas known in the art, such as pressurized tanks or compressors.
  • the storage method may be used for any desired duration and
  • volume combination, as pressurized gases are generally quite stable.

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Abstract

The present invention, in broadest terms, includes a high pressure storage tank (10) comprising; (a) a tank having a fill opening (12) and a tank body (14) (that is, the portion of the tank's shape not including the valve opening) having inner walls defining an interior volume; and (b) a reinforcement matrix (18) disposed in said tank body (14) and attached to said inner walls, said reinforcement matrix (18) of a solid material and displacing no more than 33 % of said interior volume.

Description

HIGH PRESSURE STORAGE TANK
Technical Field
The present invention is in the field of high pressure storage tanks. Background
There are several uses for high pressure storage tanks in numerous fields, such as in industrial applications, and in domestic and automotive fuel systems. Historically,
high pressure gas containers have been cylindrical or spherical in shape so that the container may take advantage of the hoop strength to resist the stress of outward pressure
on the container's walls. This is because all of the pressure induced stresses are carried in
tension by the outer walls of current pressure vessel storage systems. These shapes,
which are driven by load carrying requirements, do not always lend themselves to efficient use ofthe available physical envelopes they must occupy.
Much developmental effort continues to be spent in the pursuit of increasingly lighter and stronger materials for use in such radially symmetrical high pressure storage
tanks (hereinafter referred to as "HPSTs"). One of the problems associated with the use of lightweight materials, such as wound fiberglass, is that corrosion from acidic species
can lead to degradation and failure of the tank.
One of the obstacles to the use of HPSTs in many applications is that it is often necessary or most desirable to provide HPSTs which do not have radial symmetry and which have relatively few or no degrees of symmetry. Such reduced symmetry tanks may find use in a wide variety of applications where spatial limitations and/or gas supply
requirements make radially symmetrical HPSTs inapplicable or less than ideal. In such applications it may be wasteful of space to use radially symmetrical HPSTs and/or it may
not be possible to provide the most desirable quantity of compressed gas using radially
symmetrical HPSTs. Examples of such applications include mobile home or camper
applications (such as for propane), and automotive applications (such as in fuel tanks for natural gas vehicles (NGV)).
The principal problem associated with relatively less symmetrical tank shapes is
that they contain inherent structural weaknesses which -are focal points for failure when pressurized.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a HPST which has
increased strength to resist outward pressure on its walls, and which may even be made into reduced symmetry or non-symmetrical shapes.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a HPST which provides for
a relatively large portion ofthe total interior volume to be available for gas storage.
In view of the following description of the invention or through its practice, other advantages, or the solution to other problems, may become apparent.
Summary ofthe Invention
The present invention is directed to the development of a storage system which is composed of three elemental subsystems. The first, and primary subsystem is a "semi- solid" inner matrix which may be either machined or molded into the desired shape. This "semi-solid" inner matrix may be a metallic, polymeric or composite material of an optimal configuration. The structure of the selected material shall either be perforated or sufficiently porous or semi-permeable to allow for the migration of the stored gas at a sutTicient rate to meet the desired flow volume flow requirements. The selected material preferably should also provide enough solid structure such that it will carry the required
tensile loads under all desired pressure regimes. In addition, the selected material
preferably should allow enough open "hollow" area within the interior of the storage
system to volumetrically outperform current pressure vessels configured to fit within the same physical envelope.
The second subsystem is a hermetically sealing surface coating (usually in the
form of the walls of a tank of the present invention) which needs to be non-permeable to the stored gas, and easily attachable to, or integratable with the selected "semi-solid" inner matrix.
The third subsystem are the internal arteries, passageways or conduits, which provide for substantially homogenous distribution, storage, and recovery of stored gas within the "semi-solid" inner matrix. These arteries are intended to converge upon a single location for the passage of the gas in and out of the storage system, and may be
provided by apertures in the matrix itself, or through the permeability of the matrix material. Preferably, the reinforcement matrix comprises elements that supply substantially linear force resistance vectors against the outward tension applied to the opposing walls of the storage tank.
The present invention, in broadest terms, includes a high pressure storage tank comprising: (a) a tank having a fill opening and a tank body (that is, the portion of the tank's shape not including the valve opening) liaving inner surface wails defining an interior volume; and (b) a reinforcement matrix disposed in the tank body and attached to the inner walls, the reinforcement matrix is of a solid material and displaces no more than 50%, preferably no more than 33% of the interior volume; and most preferably no more than 25% o the interior volume; and as little as no more, than 20% o the interior volume. The HPST of the present invention may be such that the tank body is of a shape having no radial symmetry; and may be of a shape having no linear symmetry. The
HPST of the present invention also may be such that the tank body is of a shape having
less than 3 planes of symmetry; and may be of any shape having no degrees of symmetry.
As used herein, the symmetry of a storage tank shall refer to the general shape of its contained volume irrespective of any shaping attendant to the inclusion of openings , valve bodies, etc.
The HPST of the present invention may be of a material selected from any material appropriate for use in pressurized tanks, such as those selected from the group
consisting of metals (e.g., carbon steel, aluminum), carbon fiber, fiberglass, and
polymeric materials and composites.
The reinforcement matrix in the HPSTs of the present invention may be of any shape adapted to distribute stresses bearing on the tank body inner walls. Such shapes
may be regular matrix shapes such as those selected from the group consisting of
honeycomb shapes of rectangular, hexagonal and octagonal cell shapes. The reinforcement matrix may be attached to the inner walls of the HPST by any means
capable of forming a stress-resistant bond, such as through adhesives and/or welding.
The reinforcement matrix may be integrally manufactured or manufactured in a secondary
operation. Preferably, the HPSTs of the present invention preferably may be such that the reinforcement matrix displaces no more than 33% of the interior volume, typically for
storage tanks able to withstand operating pressures as high as 20,000 to 100,000 lbs./sq. in.; which generally give a tank holding natural gas an energy density of the same order as
a gasoline tank. HPSTs of the present invention may be used to supply fuel tanks for welding
equipment, automobiles, mobile homes, rockets, spacecraft, aircraft, etc.
Brief Description o the Drawings
Figure 1 is a partially sectioned perspective view of a high pressure storage tank in
accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention;
Figure 2 is a partially sectioned perspective view of a high pressure storage tank in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention; Figure 3 is an environmental view of a high pressure storage tank shown in an
automobile, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention;
Figure 4 is a computer generated three-dimensional representation of a rectangular
cell matrix in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention; and
Figure 5 is a computer generated three-dimensional representation of a rectangular
cell matrix in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention.
Detailed Description ofthe Preferred Embodiments
In accordance with the foregoing summary of the invention, the following presents a detailed description of one embodiment of the present invention, which is presently considered to be the best mode ofthe present invention in the described application.
A high pressure storage tank 10 appearing in an external, perspective view of Figure 1 , includes a fill opening 12 and a tank body 14, configured to serve as a
replacement for an automotive gasoline tank. The fill opening 12 is connected to a conduit 16 which serves as a passage for the flow of gas in and out of the tank 10. The location of the fill opening 12 is not critical to the functioning of the tank 10. The tank body's opposed inner walls define the interior volume of the tank 10. The tank body also has a non-permeable outer surface 19.
The high pressure storage tank 10 is also shown with an inner reinforcement
matrix 18 which carries the bulk of the pressure-induced loads in tension. Referring to
Figure 2 the construction of the reinforcement matrix 18 is best shown. Figure 2
represents another embodiment ofthe high pressure storage tank (HPST) 10 ofthe present
invention. The structure of matrix 18 can be porous, or semi-permeable enough to allow
for the migration of stored gas at a sufficient rate required to meet, application specific,
minimum volume requirements. The matrix 18 can be formed from either a polymeric, composite or metallic material. The selected material should provide enough solid
structure as to carry the tensile loads required ofthe particular HPST 10.
The reinforcement matrix 18 may be of any stress-distributing shape — typically regularly arranged matrices - such as those selected from the group consisting of
honeycomb shapes of rectangular, hexagonal and octagonal cell shapes. Figure 2
illustrates an embodiment of the HPST 10 utilizing a matrix 18 of a rectangular
honeycomb shape. The reinforcement matrix 18 is comprised of interlacing supports 20. The spacing between these supports 20 determines the density of the matrix 18. The
desired spacing for a particular HPST 10 will depend on the shape of the tank 10, the desired volume limitations, the material selected for the matrix 18 and upon the intended use of the tank 10. In the preferred embodiment, the reinforcement matrix 18 displaces no more than 20-50% of the interior volume of the tank 10. The selected material for the
reinforcement matrix 18 should also provide enough "hollow" area within the interior of the tank 10 to volumetrically outperform current pressure vessels configured to fit within the same physical envelope. The matrix shape, spacing and density may be determined preferably through the use of finite element method computer design programs, such as
Intergraph FEM and Patran which are commercially available.
The tank body 14 of the HPST 10 may be made of any material appropriate for
containing gas at the desired operating pressures, and may be selected from materials such
as carbon steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, fiberglass, and plastics. In the preferred embodiment, the exterior of the tank body 14 is coated with a hermetically sealing surface
22 which is non-permeable to the stored gas. Additionally, the surface coating 22 should be easily applicable to the selected reinforcement matrix 18. Such coatings may be
selected from any coatings used in the art, such as paints and vinylized coatings.
The reinforcement matrix 18 is attached to the inner walls of the tank 10 by
known methods, such as through adhesion or welding. In another embodiment, a portion ofthe tank body 14 and at least a portion ofthe reinforcement matrix 18 may be integrally
manufactured such as through extrusion.
Additionally, in the preferred embodiment the reinforcement matrix 18 contains
internal arteries 24 which provide for substantially homogeneous distribution, storage, and recovery of stored gas. The internal arteries 24 converge upon a single location in the
HPST 10 for purposes of facilitating the passage ofthe stored gas in and out of the HPST
10.
The present invention thus may provide a high pressure storage tank for applications which contain irregularly shaped envelopes in which to place such a tank. This new flexibility of the physical configuration will allow for more efficient utilization
of space.
This new system will be ideal, for example, for storing compressed natural gas. Natural gas is a widely available, underutilized, domestic natural resource. Natural gas is also less expensive than gasoline and more environmentally benign when burned. With
the EPA's increasingly stringent emission standards, natural gas will become more and
more favorable as an alternative to natural gas. However, compressed natural gas stored
at ambient temperatures involves very high pressures, which necessitates the use of
spherical or cylindrical/spherical pressure vessels. Unfortunately, automobiles utilize irregularly shaped fuel tanks which are shaped to fit into an appropriate envelope in the
underside of the automobile. Figure 3 illustrates a typical automobile 26 with a typically shaped storage tank 28
As illustrated in Figure 3, the storage tank 28 is of an irregular shape, rather than a spherical or cylindrical shape. Thus to convert such an automobile 26 to one which runs
on natural gas, absent the present invention, a cylindrical or spherical storage tank would
have to be place in the envelope intended for the irregularly shaped storage tank 28, thus leaving significant wasted, empty, space. Therefore, a cylindrical tank used to fit within
the envelope of the storage tank 28 of Figure 3 would have much less capacity than the
irregularly shaped storage tank 28 in which the envelope was intended for. The HPST 10 of the present invention however may solve this problem by providing an irregularly shaped high pressure storage vessel which can be fabricated to conform to any spatial envelope. The net effect is that when a gasoline tank is replaced with a HPST 10 of the
present invention, the effective range between fill-ups for a typical passenger car is drastically reduced.
Examples of computer-designed reinforcement matrices, made using the
Intergraph FEM computer program, are shown as three-dimensional representations of
rectangular ceil matrices in Figures 4 and 5. Figure 5 shows a tank containing a reinforcement matrix that might be used in a steel AISl 4340 tank having a .004 inch inner wall thickness and .25 inch cell size; and providing a 215 IbsVsq. in. maximum
yield stress, easily supporting the maximum induced stress of 165K. IbsVsq. in. Figure 6
shows a matrix that might be used in an aluminum 7075 tank having a .016 inch inner
wall thickness and .25 inch cell size; and providing a 65K IbsVsq. in. maximum yield
stress, easily supporting the maximum induced stress of 4 IK IbsVsq. in..
Similarly, in addition to automobiles, the HPST 10 of the present invention can be
utilized in any application which requires the use of a high pressure storage tanks, particularly those applications where tanks of reduced symmetry or of irregular size and shape are required. Many of these uses involve applications where optimal weight and
space efficiency is desired; such as planes, rockets, and even mobile homes.
The HPST 10 of the present invention can be formed of a completely irregularly
shaped tank body 14 with absolutely no symmetry, such as the storage tank 28 in Figure
3. Alternatively, the HPST 10 of the present invention can be formed with a tank body 14
with a shape having: no radial symmetry; no linear symmetry; or less than 3 planes of
symmetry.
Although there have been recent improvements in the design of high pressure storage tanks, these advancements have been in the development of improved, lighter weight, pressure vessels. Most of these improvements involve the development of composite wrappings that enhance load bearing. However, these improvements merely address material structural performance rather than addressing the development of a entirely new system for compressed gas storage in irregularly shaped containers. The
HPST 10 of the present invention addresses and solves this problem of safely storing compressed gas in irregularly shaped containers. The present invention also provides the advantage of a non-explosive catastrophic
failure mode which remains a danger in prior art HPST systems. The system of the
present invention provides for a cascading failure mode resulting in greater safety margins
than current high pressure gas storage systems such as cylindrical/spherical pressure vessels can provide.
The present invention also includes methods for filling an HPST and for storing a
gas under pressure. In general terms, the method of filling a high pressure storage tank
with a gas under pressure comprises: (a) obtaining a high pressure storage tank in accordance with any embodiment of the present invention described herein; and (b) at
least partially filling the high pressure storage tank with the gas under pressure. The
method of filling may be carried out using any source of pressurized gas known in the art, such as pressurized tanks or compressors. The method of storing a gas under pressure, in
broad terms comprises: (a) obtaining a high pressure storage tank in accordance with any embodiment ofthe present invention described herein; (b) placing a gas under pressure in
the high pressure storage tank; and (c) allowing said gas under pressure to remain in the high pressure storage tank. The storage method may be used for any desired duration and
volume combination, as pressurized gases are generally quite stable.
In view of the foregoing disclosure, it will be within the ability of one of ordinary skill to make alterations or modifications to the present invention, such as through the substitution of equivalent materials or structural arrangements, so as to be able to practice the present invention without departing from its spirit as reflected in the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A high pressure storage tank comprising:
(a) a tank having a fill opening and a tank body having at least two opposing
inner walls defining an interior volume; and
(b) a reinforcement matrix disposed in said tank body and attached to said
inner walls, said reinforcement matrix of a solid material displacing no
more than 50% of said interior volume.
2. A high pressure storage tank according to claim 1 wherein said tank body is of a
shape having no radial symmetry.
3. A high pressure storage tank according to claim 1 wherein said tank body is of a
shape having no linear symmetry.
4. A high pressure storage tank according to claim 1 wherein said tank body is of a shape having less than 3 planes of symmetry.
5. A high pressure storage tank according to claim 1 wherein said tank body is of a
shape having no degrees of symmetry.
6. A high pressure storage tank according to claim 1 wherein said tank body is of a material selected from the group consisting of carbon steel, aluminum, carbon
fiber, fiberglass, and plastics.
7. A high pressure storage tank according to claim 1 wherein said reinforcement matrix comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of honeycomb shapes of rectangular, hexagonal and octagonal cell shapes.
8. A high pressure storage tank according to claim I wherein said reinforcement matrix is attached to said inner walls by a means selected from the group consisting of adhesives and welding.
9. A high pressure storage tank according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said tank body and at least a portion of said reinforcement matrix are integrally manufactured.
10. A high pressure storage tank according to claim 1 wherein said reinforcement
matrix displaces no more dian 33% of said interior volume.
11. A high pressure storage tank according to claim 1 wherein said reinforcement matrix displaces no more than 25% of said interior volume.
12. A high pressure storage tank according to claim 1 wherein said reinforcement matrix displaces no more than 20% of said interior volume.
13. A vehicle containing a high pressure storage tank according to claim 1.
14. A mobile home containing a high pressure storage tank according to claim 1.
15. A rocket containing a high pressure storage tank according to claim 1.
16. A high pressure storage tank according to claim 1 further comprising a hermetically sealing surface coating.
17. A high pressure storage tank according to claim 1 wherein said reinforcement matrix is sufficiently porous to allow for substantially homogeneous distribution of said store gas in said tank.
18. A high pressure storage tank according to claim 1 wherein said reinforcement matrix contains internal arteries which provide substantially homogeneous distribution, storage, and recovery of stored gas.
19. A high pressure storage tank according to claim 17 wherein said internal arteries converge upon a single location in said storage tank for the passage of the stored
gas in and out of said storage tank.
20. A method of filling a"high pressure storage tank with a gas under pressure, said method comprising:
(a) obtaining a high pressure storage tank comprising:
(i) a tank having a fill opening and a tank body having at least two opposing inner walls defining an interior volume; and
(ii) a reinforcement matrix disposed in said tank body and attached to said inner walls, said reinforcement matrix of a solid material displacing no more than 50% of said interior volume;
(b) at least partially filling said high pressure storage tank with said gas under pressure.
21. A method of storing a gas under pressure, said method comprising:
(a) obtaining a high pressure storage tank comprising:
(i) a tank having a fill opening and a tank body having at least two opposing inner walls defining an interior volume; and (ii) a reinforcement matrix disposed in said tank body and attached to said inner walls, said reinforcement matrix of a solid material displacing no more than 50% of said interior volume;
(b) placing a gas under pressure in said high pressure storage tank; and
(c) allowing said gas under pressure to remain in said high pressure storage tank.
PCT/US1997/000993 1996-01-26 1997-01-22 High pressure storage tank WO1997027105A1 (en)

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