Patent ID: 12253213

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Focusing onFIGS.1to3where is presented a system100according to one embodiment, in which a plurality of tubes1of equal length, where the tubes interiors serve as a gas storage space, is distributed in the form of a matrix or array, the ends of the tubes1being plugged by collectors3. The tubes1matrix and collectors3are wrapped inside a belt2. The sides not covered by the belt2are closed within a cover7. The remaining space contained between the collectors3, the belt2and the cover7, and not occupied by the tubes1, is filled with a rigid foam5. One of the collectors3presents on one side a hole13where a port6is located in order to fill and to empty the system100with gas. The tubes1are inserted into accommodations8located at the collectors3on the face exposed to the tubes1. A bonding surface9welded, adhesively and/or mechanically joined, ensures the system100to be sealed at the connection between the tubes1and the collector3. The covers7have flanges21and22to facilitate attachment with other components of the system100by overlapping those flanges. Thus, the covers7have folded flanges21which overlap on the belt2, allowing a welded, adhesive and/or mechanical connection between the two components. Likewise, the covers7have flanges22which overlap with lateral surface of the collector3allowing the welded, adhesive and/or mechanical connection between both components.

Attention is paid now on theFIGS.4and6, where is shown a system100according to the same embodiment, in which a collector3have on its interior a conduit formed by a main channel10that branches into secondary channels11. These channels11are connected by holes12with the inside of the tubes1allowing fluidic connection between the plurality of tubes1. The main channel10connects to a hole13enabling entry and egress of gases in the system100through the port6.

The system100according to the same embodiment is shown inFIG.7with a detail showed by a three orthogonal cutting planes sections showing the main components of the system100: the tubes1, belt2and collector3and its integration with each other. In addition, there is also shown a detail of the connection of the collector3with the port6. The tube1is attached to the collector3by a bonding surface9with a thickness of weld material, adhesive and/or mechanical adjustment presenting a seam14of the same bonding material between both components being located on the outer contour of the tube1and the face of the collector3exposed to the tubes1. The collector3is made of composites of reinforcement fiber and thermoplastic polymeric matrix as the same type as the tubes1facilitating the welded connection between both components. An accommodation8allows a portion of the length of the tube1to be inserted into the interior of the collector3. This accommodation8presents a groove forming the geometric shape of the cross section of the tube1and with a width similar to the wall thickness of the tube1and a depth that allows the tube1to be inserted a portion of the length of the tube1in the collector3sufficient to ensure the structural and hermetic joint between both components. The collector3has a curvature15in the area of contact with the belt2, avoiding the adjustment of the belt2on a surface with corners. The connection between the belt2and the collector3is carried out by a bonding surface16of weld, adhesive and/or mechanical adjustment. The port6is inserted into the hole13by welding, adhesive means and/or mechanical adjustment. The port6has an anchoring element17which fits inside the body of the collector3.

Focusing the attention inFIGS.14and15it is shown surface cuts through the belt2and the tube1, allowing to clearly see the reinforcement fibers of both components. Particularly, the reinforcement fibers19of the belt2are disposed mostly in parallel to the direction of the loop28which describes the belt2by wrapping it around the assembly formed by the tubes1and the collectors3. The reinforcement fibers18of the tubes1are disposed in its major part circumferentially to the axial axis of the tube1, following a path that is wound around the axial axis of the tube1.

FIG.8shows the tubes1according to one embodiment of the system100characterized by presenting a spatial arrangement of the tube1array in which a square packing arrangement is adopted, the axis of each tube1being located at each node of a square flat lattice. In this arrangement the tubes1are in contact with each other, or, between the tubes1there is a certain gap. The tubes1in contact have some type of welded and/or adhesive bonding in the contact area.

FIG.9shows the tubes1according to one embodiment of the system100characterized by presenting a spatial arrangement of the tube1array in which a hexagonal packing arrangement is adopted, the axis of each tube1being located at each node of a triangular flat lattice. In this arrangement the tubes1are in contact with each other, or, between the tubes1there is a certain gap. The tubes1in contact have some type of welded and/or adhesive bonding in the contact area.

FIG.10shows an embodiment of the system100in which the representation of some components has been omitted. In this embodiment the tubes1have a hexagonal shape26in its cross section, with rounded corners27. The tubes1are arranged together adopting a triangular packing with the side walls23of each tube1in contact with its consecutive tube, so gaps are decreased outside the tubes. Also, the collector3has accommodations8for inserting the tubes in a groove pattern24whose shape is done according to a similar pattern as the cross section of the array of tubes1. Additionally, each section25of the groove pattern24serves to accommodate the walls of one or two tubes1in contact.

FIG.11shows the main components of the system100according to another embodiment in which there are at least two sets of tubes1arrays characterized each of those by a different length of tube1. Each set is integrated by tubes1of the same length. This length is different for each set. This embodiment set allows the system100to be configured according to different spaces for example to be accommodated in a vehicle avoiding obstacles from the architecture thereof. The sets share a common collector3that allows fluidic connection between all tubes1of the system100. The ends of each set of tubes1array opposite to the common collector3are inserted into accommodations8of an independent collector3for each set of tubes1array. An independent belt2for each tube1array is wrapped around each set of tubes1array, containing the common collector3, the tubes1array and the independent collectors3connected to each tubes1array.

FIG.12shows the main components of system100according to another embodiment in which there are at least two sets of tubes1arrays characterized each of them by presenting a tube packing with a certain number of rows and columns, different for each set. This embodiment also allows the system100to be configured depending on space available to accommodate it inside a vehicle. The tubes1arrays share a common collector3that allows fluidic connection between all of the tubes1of the system100. The common collector3presents a geometry in the face exposed to the tubes1adapted to the shape of the tubes1arrays being inserted therein. An independent belt2is wrapped around each tubes1array containing the common collector3, the array of tubes1and the collector3opposite to the common collector3.

FIG.13shows the main components of the system100according to another embodiment in which there is a collector3located between two tubes1arrays. This middle collector3can be located between more than two tubes1arrays. The length of the tube1of each tubes1array may be different. This collector3allows fluidic connection between all the tubes1of the system100presenting inside conduits of the same type to those discussed above. It also presents accommodations8where the tubes1are inserted on both faces exposed to the tubes1. The port6can be inserted into this middle collector3situated between tubes. This embodiment allows the gas be filled and emptied from the system100at an intermediate location, different from the ends of the volume span as in the case of the above disclosed embodiments. Locating the gas inlet/outlet in an intermediate place of the total volume of the gas storage system100may be advantageous when integrating the system100inside a vehicle. The free ends of the tube arrays1are connected to collectors3and this assembly is wrapped with a belt2.