Patent ID: 6165303
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: B01D,B29C,F16J

Abstract:
A method of making a generally tubular pressure vessel having a tubular shell that has at least one open end which is designed to interengage with closure head means in a manner so as to provide full-bore access therethrough, which method comprisesproviding generally cylindrical mandrel means proportioned to have an exterior surface which approximates an interior surface of said tubular shell,positioning on said mandrel means (a) an annular element which is formed with a first annular groove in a radially interior surface thereof and (b) an annular sacrificial insert of specific shape, said insert being located axially inward of and adjacent said annular element with respect to the ultimate interior of said pressure vessel,overwrapping said mandrel means, said annular element and said annular insert with strands of continuous fiber material and impregnating said fiber material with a curable polymeric resin to create an overwrapped assembly on said mandrel means,curing said overwrapped assembly to create a strong rigid tubular shell having at least one open end,separating said overwrapped assembly from said mandrel means, andremoving said sacrificial insert from the interior wall of said tubular shell to provide an annular cavity of defined shape in the otherwise generally cylindrical interior surface of the tubular shell immediately axially interior of said annular element, said annular cavity being contiguous with the axially interior surface of said annular element and providing space within said tubular pressure vessel to accommodate a sealing ring.