Patent ID: 6179154
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: F17C

Abstract:
In combination,a curved pressure vessel shell wall having a core layer substantially of uniform thickness sandwiched between inboard and outboard skins, the skins being provided with a selected thickness, and having a first modulus of elasticity in directions through the skin thicknesses, a second modulus of elasticity in a widthwise direction, and a third modulus of elasticity in a longitudinal direction, said wall defining an opening extending therethrough; andan insert disposed in said opening in the shell wall, said insert being adapted to support a closure member and comprising a plate having a curved outboard surface defining a continuation of an outboard surface of said wall outboard skin, and a concentrically curved inboard surface defining a continuation of an inboard surface of said wall inboard skin, said plate being provided with a curvature equal to the curvature of said wall of said shell, said plate outboard and inboard surfaces being interconnected by planar outer edge surfaces generally normal to outboard and inboard plate surfaces, and defining an aperture extending therethrough from said plate outboard surface to said plate inboard surface, said plate being substantially of uniform thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the pressure vessel shell wall, and said plate having a modulus of elasticity within about 30% of the first modulus of elasticity of the pressure vessel shell wall inboard and outboard skins, said plate being configured to mount the closure member in the aperture.