Patent ID: 7699188

Claim:
A pressure vessel, comprising: a) a hybrid tank, including: i) a tank liner; and ii) an outer reinforcing layer disposed on the tank liner, the outer reinforcing layer defining at least a portion of an outer surface of the hybrid tank; and b) a protective jacket adapted to surround and engage the hybrid tank, the protective jacket including: i) an upper support rim having a first opening therethrough; ii) a lower support rim having a second opening therethrough; and iii) a substantially cylindrical wall connecting the upper support rim to the lower support rim, the wall defining an inner surface disposed radially outwardly from the outer surface of the hybrid tank, the inner surface of the wall and the outer surface of the hybrid tank cooperating to define a substantially annular flow channel extending from the upper support rim to the lower support rim in fluid communication with the first opening and the second opening, wherein the openings and flow channel are adapted to permit a convective flow to pass therethrough to facilitate heat transfer between the hybrid tank and an environment in which the pressure vessel is situated.