Patent ID: 8757423

Claim:
A method for assembling a composite pressure vessel, comprising: fitting an end portion of a tubular member into an annular slot formed in a rim of a body portion of an end cap, the annular slot having a sealant disposed therein, the end cap further including an annular groove formed in an exterior surface of the body portion, the annular groove being opposed to the rim; forming a first material layer on an annular exterior surface of the tubular member, the layer including a first composite material including fibers having an orientation circumferential to the tubular member; forming a second material layer on the first material layer, the second material layer including a second composite material including fibers having an orientation axial to the tubular member; cutting slits in a border of a sheet of fibers of the second material layer to form fringe tabs; gathering the fringe tabs of the sheet of fibers substantially smoothly into the annular groove; and forming a third material layer adjacent the second material layer and in the annular groove, the third material layer including a third composite material including fibers having an orientation circumferential to the tubular member.