Patent ID: 8602250

Claim:
A storage vessel comprising: a liner having a center portion with a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein said first end portion and second end portion are positioned on opposite ends of said center portion, wherein said center portion has a smaller diameter than said first end portion and second end portion, wherein said center portion has substantially the same diameter along its length, and wherein said liner further includes a first transition area between said center portion and said first end portion and a second transition area between said center portion and said second end portion; a first composite layer comprising a pre-impregnated fiber composite material comprising a sheet of unidirectional fibers embedded in a polymeric resin with said fibers disposed circumferentially about said center portion, said first transition area and said second transition area, wherein said first composite layer has a thickness equal to the difference in the radius between said center portion and said first end portion and said second end portion; and, a second composite layer disposed about said first composite layer.