Patent ID: 7147124

Claim:
A container suitable for storing a pressurized fluid at a pressure of about 1035 kPa (150 psia) to about 7590 kPa (1100 psia) and at a temperature of about −123° C. (−190° F.) to about −62° C. (−80° F.), said container comprising: (a) a self-supporting liner, said self-supporting liner providing a substantially impermeable barrier to said pressurized fluid; and (b) a load-bearing vessel in contact with said self-supporting liner, said load-bearing vessel having been made from composite materials and being suitable for withstanding pressures of about 1035 kPa (150 psia) to about 7590 kPa (1100 psia) and temperatures of about −123° C. (−190° F.) to about −62° C. (−80° F.), and said composite materials having a coefficient of thermal expansion (i) that is substantially the same as the coefficient of thermal expansion of said self-supporting liner at the interface with said self-supporting liner, and (ii) that gradually decreases through the thickness of said load-bearing vessel as the distance from said interface increases.