Patent ID: 7287663

Claim:
A pressure vessel comprising: a) a lower metallic dome having a lower rim portion; b) an upper metallic dome having an upper rim portion, wherein the upper metallic dome includes a central orifice; c) a plastic liner disposed within the upper and lower metallic domes, wherein the plastic liner includes a cylindrical neck portion that extends through the central orifice in the upper metallic dome; d) an annular mounting flange secured to the upper metallic dome and dimensioned to surround the cylindrical neck portion of the plastic liner, the annular mounting flange having an upper planar surface and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart bolt holes formed therein; e) an annular connector flange having a radially inner annular portion defining a central bore for communicating with the central orifice in the upper metallic dome and a radially outer annular portion for fastening to the annular mounting flange, wherein an annular groove is formed between the radially inner and radially outer annular portions of the annular connector flange for accommodating the cylindrical neck portion of the plastic liner; f) a metallic band disposed between the plastic liner and the upper and lower metallic domes proximate the respective rim portions thereof; and g) an insulating material disposed between the metallic band and the plastic liner, the metallic band and insulating material protecting the plastic liner from elevated temperatures when the upper and lower rim portions of the metallic domes are welded together.