Ovoid flexible pressure vessel, apparatus and method for making same

An ovoid flexible pressure vessel comprising:

• at least one upper dome-shaped cell portion, said upper cell portion being formed from resilient material and having an outer surface, an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter, an inner surface and at least one upper opening portion, said upper opening portion extending outwardly from said inner perimeter;
• at least one mating lower dome-shaped cell portion, said lower cell portion being formed from resilient material and having an outer surface, an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter, an inner surface and at least one lower opening portion, said lower opening portion extending outwardly from said inner perimeter;
• said upper cell portion being joined to said mating lower cell portion such that a hollow pressure cell is formed, said cell having at least one opening;
• a passageway, said passageway having a first end and a second end and being attached to said at least one opening at said first end and extending outwardly beyond said hollow pressure cell as a connection to either of a passageway of another cell and a valve;
• at least one reinforcing ring, said reinforcing ring having an inner surface, an outer surface, an outer circumference, and being sized and shaped to fit tightly about the outer perimeter of said pressure cell;
• said reinforcing ring having an aperture, said aperture extending from said inner surface to said outer surface and being sized, shaped and disposed to accommodate connection of said passageway to said pressure cell;
• and
• a valving means, said valving means being capable of controlling a flow of either of a liquid and a gas through said passageway and being attached to said second end of said passageway.

An ovoid flexible pressure vessel comprising:

• at least one upper dome-shaped cell portion, said upper cell portion being formed from resilient material and having an outer surface, an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter, an inner surface and at least one upper passageway portion, said upper passageway portion extending outwardly from said inner perimeter;
• at least one mating lower dome-shaped cell portion, said lower cell portion being formed from resilient material and having an outer surface, an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter, an inner surface and at least one lower passageway portion, said lower passageway portion extending outwardly from said inner perimeter;
• said upper cell portion being joined to said mating lower cell portion such that a hollow pressure cell is formed, said cell having at least one passageway extending outwardly from said cell as a connection to either of a passageway of another cell and a valve;
• a protruding rim, said protruding rim being disposed at said outer perimeter of said pressure cell
• upper and lower receiving notches, said upper, and lower receiving notches being disposed above and below said protruding rim;
• and
• upper and lower a reinforcing rings, each of said reinforcing rings having an inner surface, an outer surface, and being sized and shaped to fit tightly in either of said upper and lower receiving notches;
• at least one of said reinforcing rings having an aperture, said aperture extending from said inner surface to said outer surface and being sized shaped and disposed to accommodate connection of said passageway to said pressure cell;
• and
• whereby, when said reinforcing rings are disposed about said outer perimeter of said pressure cell, the pressure handling capacity of said cell is increased.

An ovoid flexible pressure vessel comprising:

• at least one upper dome-shaped cell portion, said upper cell portion being formed from resilient material and having an outer surface, an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter, an inner surface and at least one upper passageway portion, said upper passageway portion extending outwardly from said inner perimeter;
• at least one mating lower dome-shaped cell portion, said lower cell portion being formed from resilient material and having an outer surface, an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter, an inner surface and at least one lower passageway portion, said lower passageway portion extending outwardly from said inner perimeter;
• said upper cell portion being joined to said mating lower cell portion such that a hollow pressure cell is formed, said cell having at least one passageway extending outwardly from said pressure cell as a connection to either of a passageway of another cell and a valve;
• a protruding rim, said protruding rim being disposed at said outer perimeter of said pressure cell;
• at least one groove disposed about said outer perimeter above said protruding rim;
• at least one groove disposed about said outer perimeter below said protruding rim;
• upper and lower reinforcing rings, each of said reinforcing rings having an inner surface, an outer surface, and being sized and shaped to fit tightly about said outer perimeter on either side of said protruding rim;
• said reinforcing rings having at least one rib disposed upon said inner surface thereof, said rib being sized, shaped and disposed to engage said groove;
• and
• whereby, when said reinforcing rings are disposed about said outer perimeter of said pressure cell, the pressure handling capacity of said cell is increased.