Pressurized gas reservoirs including an elastomeric wall

A pressurizable gas reservoir comprising:

• a first end member, a second end member and a first intermediate end member disposed between said first and second end members, said first intermediate end member including a first intermediate end member wall at least partially defining a first intermediate end member passage extending therethrough;
• a first flexible reservoir member extending peripherally about a first longitudinal axis and axially between opposing first and second ends, said first end secured to said first end member such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween, said second end secured to said first intermediate end member such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween, said first flexible reservoir member including a first flexible wall at least partially formed from a first elastomeric material, and said first flexible reservoir member at least partially defining a first reservoir chamber portion between said first end member and said first intermediate end member;
• a second flexible reservoir member extending peripherally about a second longitudinal axis and axially between opposing first and second ends, said first end secured to said second end member such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween, said second end secured to said first intermediate end member such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween, said second flexible reservoir member including a second flexible wall at least partially formed from a second elastomeric material, and said second flexible reservoir member at least partially defining a second reservoir chamber portion between said second end member and said first intermediate end member;
• and,
• said first reservoir chamber portion, said second reservoir chamber portion and said first intermediate passage of said first intermediate end member being disposed in fluid communication with one another to at least partially define a reservoir chamber capable of storing a quantity of pressurized gas for an extended duration of time;
• at least said first end member, said second end member and said first intermediate end member being maintained in substantially-fixed position relative to one another such that said reservoir chamber has an approximately constant volume with any substantial variation in said approximately constant volume being primarily due to elastomeric expansion and recovery of said flexible reservoir member as gas pressure within said reservoir chamber respectively increases and decreases.

A method of assembling a pressurized gas system on a vehicle, said method comprising:

• providing a first end member and a second end member;
• providing a flexible reservoir member that extends between a first end and a second end;
• said flexible reservoir member including a flexible wall at least partially formed from an elastomeric material, said flexible wall including an inner surface, an outer surface opposite said inner surface, and at least one layer of filament reinforcing material at least partially embedded within said elastomeric material between said inner and outer surfaces;
• securing said first end member to said first end of said flexible reservoir member such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween;
• securing said second end member to said second end of said flexible reservoir member such that a reservoir chamber is at least partially defined therebetween;
• and,
• securing said first and second end members in substantially fixed relation to one another to one another between said first and second structural components such that said reservoir chamber has an approximately constant volume with any substantial variation in said approximately constant volume being primarily due to elastomeric expansion and recovery of said flexible reservoir member as gas pressure within said reservoir chamber respectively increases and decreases.