Helical seamed structural vessel and method of forming same
AssigneeUniversal Spiralweld Enterprises, Inc.
InventorRichard H. Smith, Sr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A double-wall structural vessel includes an inner tubular liner and an outer tubular shell surrounding the liner in spaced relation, both the liner and the shell comprising helically curved strips of material, and a continuous and helically curved spacer/stiffener therebetween. The liner and shell are relatively shifted axially such that the shell edges are out of alignment with the liner edges, and the spacer spans contiguous edges at successive turns of the liner as well as at successive turns of the shell, and is secured to the strips as well as to the liner edges and to the shell edges.
Claims8
A structural vessel, comprising an inner tubular liner and an outer tubular shell surrounding said liner in spaced relation, said liner and said shell comprising helically curved strips of material, continuous and helically curved spacer means between said liner and said shell, said spacer means spanning contiguous edges at successive turns of said liner and spanning contiguous edges at successive turns of said shell, said liner and said shell being relatively shifted axially such that said shell edges are out of alignment with said liner edges, means securing said spacer means to said strips and said liner edges together as well as said shell edges together.
A method of forming a structural vessel, comprising the steps of:
- helically winding one strip of material to form an inner tubular liner;
- helically winding another strip of material surrounding said liner in spaced relation to form an outer tubular shell;
- disposing continuous, helically curved, separate spacer means between said liner and said shell, said spacer means spanning contiguous edges at successive turns of said liner and spanning contiguous edges at successive turns of said shell;
- during said winding steps, maintaining said liner and said shell relatively shifted axially such that said shell edges are out of alignment with said liner edges;
- securing together said spacer means and said strips including respectively securing together said liner edges and said shell edges such that said liner edges and said shell edges are secured together via said spacer means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.