Embedded reinforcement sleeve for a pressure vessel
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsLudger Strack, Markus Lindner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A boss and a capture sleeve for use with a pressure vessel are disclosed. The capture sleeve is disposed within a liner of the pressure vessel, adjacent an opening. A plurality of attachment members disposed on the capture sleeve are received by the boss, securing the boss to the liner. The pressure vessel including the boss and the capture sleeve minimizes the effects of pressure and temperature variations, militates against an axial and rotational movement of the boss, and facilitates installation and replacement of a seal disposed adjacent the boss.
Claims20
A boss system for a vessel, the system comprising:
- a capture sleeve disposed within a liner of the vessel and adjacent a vessel opening, the capture sleeve including a hollow main body with a plurality of attachment members;
- and
- a boss disposed adjacent the vessel opening, the boss including a plurality of receiving elements formed therein adapted to receive the plurality of attachment members.
A vessel for storing a fluid, the vessel comprising:
- a vessel liner having a vessel opening formed therein;
- a capture sleeve disposed within the vessel liner adjacent the vessel opening, the capture sleeve including a hollow main body having at least one surface irregularity formed therein and a plurality of attachment members disposed thereon, the capture sleeve militating against an outward expansion of the vessel liner;
- a boss disposed adjacent the vessel opening, the boss including an adapter portion releasably attached to an engagement portion, the engagement portion including a plurality of receiving elements formed therein adapted to receive the plurality of attachment members, the plurality of receiving elements and the plurality of attachment members cooperating to militate against relative movement between the boss and the capture sleeve;
- and
- a sealing element disposed between the adapter portion and the engagement portion, the sealing element exerting a substantially constant force on the vessel liner.
A method for forming a vessel including a boss, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a capture sleeve including a hollow main body and a plurality of attachment members disposed thereon;
- providing a boss including a plurality of receiving elements, the boss adapted to receive a utility device;
- forming a vessel liner having a vessel opening formed therein, the capture sleeve disposed within the vessel liner adjacent the vessel opening;
- disposing the boss adjacent the vessel opening, the plurality of attachment members received by the plurality of receiving elements, thereby securing the boss to the vessel liner;
- and
- providing a sealing element between the vessel opening and the boss.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.