Back to results
US 5,202,165 AGranted
Vessel construction
AssigneeFoster-Miller, Inc.
InventorsRichard W. Lusignea, David A. Evans, Joseph W. Piche
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The vessel structures disclosed herein are adapted for containing a mobile or highly permeating fluid such as helium gas or liquid hydrogen or oxygen. Escape of the fluid is inhibited by a barrier layer of an oriented lyotropic liquid crystal polymer film. Preferred polymers include polybenzazole (PBZ) polymers.
Claims20
In a vessel for containing a mobile or permeating fluid, a barrier layer comprising a lyotropic liquid crystal polymer film.
The method of making a cryogenic tank which comprises:
- wrapping a cylindrical mandrel with a first tape of a biaxially oriented lyotropic liquid crystal polymer film having a large angle of orientation with respect to the axis of the tape;
- wrapping said mandrel with a second tape of a biaxially oriented lyotropic liquid crystal polymer film having a small angle of orientation with respect to the axis of the tape;
- bonding the film layers to each other with a compatible resin.
The method of making a cryogenic tank which comprises:
- forming an envelope of a lyotropic liquid crystal polymer film;
- reinforcing said envelope with a carbon filament composite.
The method of making a balloon which comprises:
- providing a series of tapered gores cut from a film of oriented lyotropic liquid crystal polymer;
- bonding the edges of said gores together to form a balloon envelope;
- and filling said envelope with a lighter than air gas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.