Patent ID: 8308017
Filing Date: 2012-11-13
Classification: F16J,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A pressure vessel comprising: a liner forming a cavity and having an inner surface and an outer surface; and a composite wrap including a plurality of composite layers disposed adjacent to the outer surface, the plurality of composite layers including a first composite layer, a second composite layer, and a third composite layer, the first composite layer disposed between the second composite layer and the outer surface of the liner, the second composite layer disposed between the first composite layer and the third composite layer, the first composite layer, the second composite layer, and the third composite layer wrapped together and defining a thickness of the composite wrap, the composite wrap having a desired strain modulus gradient across the thickness of the composite wrap, wherein the first composite layer has a lower strain modulus than the second composite layer, and the second composite layer has a lower strain modulus than the third composite layer, wherein each of the first composite layer, the second composite layer, and the third composite layer reach a peak tensile stress substantially simultaneously at substantially the same pressure during operation of the pressure vessel, the same pressure applied to the inner surface of the liner by a compressed fluid disposed in the cavity of the pressure vessel, and wherein a thick wall effect is militated against when the cavity is pressurized with the compressed fluid.