# US 5,704,514 A · Composite pressure vessel > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,704,514 A - Document ID: US5704514A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/542,803 - Filed: 1995-10-12 - Granted: 1998-01-06 - Earliest claimed: 1993-10-06 - Inventors: Raul Alberto Iglesias Schoo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704514A ## CPC - F17C 1/16: constructed of plastics materials {(shaping of plastics B29C)} - F17C 1/02: involving reinforcing arrangements {(F17C1/14, F17C1/16 take precedence)} - F17C 2201/0109: with exteriorly curved end-piece - F17C 2201/0114: with interiorly curved end-piece - F17C 2201/0119: with flat end-piece - F17C 2201/0157: Polygonal - F17C 2201/052: large (>1000 m3) - F17C 2201/054: medium (>1 m3) - F17C 2203/013: in the vessel, e.g. columns - F17C 2203/0617: with one layer - F17C 2203/0636: Metals - F17C 2203/0658: Synthetics - F17C 2203/066: Plastics - F17C 2203/0663: in form of fibers or filaments - F17C 2205/0305: Bosses, e.g. boss collars - F17C 2205/0397: on both sides of the pressure vessel - F17C 2209/221: Welding - F17C 2223/035: High pressure (>10 bar) - F17C 2260/012: Reducing weight - F17C 2260/018: Adapting dimensions - F17C 2270/0171: Trucks - F17C: VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES (storing fluids in natural or artificial cavities or chambers in the earth B65G5/00; construction or assembling of bulk storage containers employing civil-engineering techniques E04H7/00; variable-capacity gas-holders F17B; liquefaction or refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25) ## Abstract A composite pressure vessel, for the containment of pressurized fluid, having at least two opposed wall regions, and a plurality of internal fibers fixedly attached to and extending between the at least two opposed wall regions, interiorly of the pressure vessel, so as to resist the force of the pressurized fluid tending to force the at least two opposed wall regions apart. The fibers are disposed between the at least two opposed wall regions, and comprise a single fiber threaded through and between apertures defined in the at least two opposed wall regions so as to lace together the at least two opposed wall regions; and the apertures are of rounded funnel shape with a narrow channel at a proximal end thereof leading into said pressure vessel and with an enlarged portion at an opposite, distal end thereof, said apertures being spaced from one another so as to form a convex, rounded cross-section over which said single fiber is placed when said single fiber is threaded from one aperture to an adjacent aperture. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A composite pressure vessel, for the containment of pressurized fluid, comprising: (a) at least two opposed wall regions; (b) a plurality of internal fibers fixedly attached to and extending between said at least two opposed wall regions, interiorly of said pressure vessel, so as to resist the force of said pressurized fluid tending to force said at least two opposed wall regions apart; (c) said fibers being disposed between said at least two opposed wall regions, and comprise a single fiber threaded through and between apertures defined in said at least two opposed wall regions so as to lace together said at least two opposed wall regions; wherein said apertures are of rounded funnel shape, with a narrow channel at a proximal end thereof leading into said pressure vessel and with an enlarged portion at an opposite, distal end thereof, said aperture being spaced from one another so as to form a convex, rounded cross-section over which said single fiber is placed when said single fiber is threaded from one aperture to an adjacent aperture. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A composite pressure vessel, as defined in claim 1, wherein said pressure vessel is cylindrical. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A composite pressure vessel as defined in claim 2, wherein said pressure vessel includes a tubular tank with said at least two opposed wall regions disposed at opposite ends thereof forming a pair of end covers. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A composite pressure vessel, as defined in claim 1, wherein said apertures are sealed with a resin material after said single fiber is threaded between said at least two opposed wall regions. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A composite pressure vessel, as defined in claim 1, wherein said internal fibers are formed from Kevlar. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A composite pressure vesel, as defined in claim 1, wherein said apertures are spaced such that two adjacent said apertures define a cross-section therebetween having smooth rounded corners over which said single fiber is placed when said single fiber is threaded from one aperture to an adjacent aperture. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A composite pressure vessel, as defined in claim 1, wherein said apertures are spaced apart on a matrix defined by the shape of said wall region. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A composite pressure vessel, as defined in claim 1, wherein said top, bottom, and side walls are joined at spaced apart 90 degree edges thereof. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A composite pressure vessel, as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least two opposed wall regions are top and bottom end caps, and a cylindrical side wall therebetween is joined to said top and bottom end caps at spaced apart edges thereof, selected from the group consisting of 90 degree edges, beveled edges and complementary stepped edges. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A composite pressure vessel, as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of internal fibers comprise a material which does not corrode or react with the fluid carried in said composite pressure vessel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A composite pressure vessel as defined in claim 1, wherein said internal fibers are in the form of a twisted fiber strand. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A composite pressure vessel, as defined in claim 1, further comprising: encircling reinforcing fibers disposed about the outer periphery of said pressure vessel and in contact therewith. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A composite prssure vessel, as defined in claim 12, wherein said encircling fibers are impregnated with a resin material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A composite pressure vessel, as defined in claim 12, wherein said encircling reinforcing fibers are formed from fiberglass. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) A composite pressure vessel, as defined in claim 12, wherein said encircling fibers are disposed in two orthogonally disposed sets of fibers.