Provided is an independent tank, and a manufacturing method therefor, for which local bending stress occurring on the vicinity of a boundary portion (welded portion) can be reduced without increasing plate thickness. An independent tank has at least one curvature change portion in which the curvature along the axial direction of plate members that form the tank changes along the axial direction. Both the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the plate member on the small curvature side are not flush with respect to the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the plate member on the large curvature side. The plate thickness center of the plate member on the small curvature side is offset toward the radial direction inner side or the radial direction outer side with respect to the plate thickness center of the plate on the large curvature side.

A tank comprising a shell having an edge face connecting first and second inner lateral surfaces of first and second portions, at least one end wall, positioned at the first portion of the shell, which has a central part in the shape of a dome, a peripheral sleeve positioned around the central part and a junction zone connecting the central part and the peripheral sleeve and having an edge face, a weld connecting the first portion and the peripheral sleeve, the edge faces of the end wall and of the shell having shapes configured to immobilize the junction zone with respect to the shell in a radial direction. Also a cryogenic reservoir with such a tank.

A pressurized-gas storage vessel includes a liner defining a chamber therein, the chamber being configured to receive a gas; a first wrapping surrounding the liner; and a second wrapping surrounding the liner. Methods of manufacturing and using the storage vessel are also disclosed.

A method for producing a light-weight pressure tank with a light-weight pressure container from a metal material, the light weight pressure container including at least one polar or equatorial attachment element and a container wall connected to the at least one polar or equatorial attachment element, wherein at least the container wall is formed integrally in one piece with the at least one polar or equatorial attachment element by additive manufacturing by a thermal spraying method by applying the metal material to a convex or concave mold surface of a cambered formwork mold by a spray jet through at least one spray nozzle.

A tank including at least first and second portions connected by a connection ring and weld seams obtained by means of a friction welding method. The connection ring includes at least a first cylindrical portion fitted in the end of the first portion, at least a first shoulder protruding toward the outer zone of the tank relative to the first cylindrical portion and at least a first transverse web positioned approximately in the same transverse plane as the first shoulder. According to this configuration, the first cylindrical portion and the transverse web ensure that the forces generated by a friction welding head during the production of the weld seam which enables the tank to be closed are absorbed.

A method and apparatus for compressing gases and supplying fuel to a gaseous fuel consuming device, such as a gaseous fueled vehicle or the like. One embodiment includes a gas compressor for compressing the gaseous fuel to an array of tanks having predetermined initial set points which are increasing for tanks in the array. One embodiment provides a selecting valve having first and second families of ports wherein the valve can be operated to select a plurality of ports from the first family to be fluidly connected with a plurality of ports with the second family, and such fluid connections can be changed by operation of the valve.

O-ring/back-up ring systems that are suitable for use in high pressure applications, including those of 70 MPa automotive hydrogen storage applications, to form a seal between first and second connector bodies. Such sealing systems comprise a back-up ring having a base portion and a flange portion, wherein such ring is configured to prevent extrusion of an O-ring into a gap existing between the back-up ring and a groove into which the back-up ring and O-ring are disposed. High pressure gas storage systems comprising such sealing systems, and methods of sealing a connection in a high pressure hydrogen storage system using such sealing systems.

A method and apparatus for compressing gases and supplying compressed gaseous fuel to a consuming device, such as a gaseous fueled vehicle or the like. One embodiment includes a gas compressor for compressing the gaseous fuel to an array of tanks having predetermined initial set points which are increasing for tanks in the array. One embodiment provides a selecting valve having first and second families of ports wherein the valve can be operated to select a plurality of ports from the first family to be fluidly connected with a plurality of ports with the second family, and such fluid connections can be changed by operation of the valve.

A polar boss suitable for use in pressurized-gas assemblies. The polar boss includes a longitudinally extending part with a top surface with a recessed opening and a planar bottom surface. A channel extends through the polar boss, communicates with the recessed opening, and terminates at the bottom planar surface to serve as a passageway through the polar boss. A circular groove is provided on the planar bottom surface with inner and outer side walls, with helical threading provided on the inner and outer side walls.

A method for manufacturing a pressure vessel (2), which is preferably provided for use in bladder accumulators, comprising the following manufacturing steps:providing a support structure (22), more particularly in the form of a liner;applying a fibrous material (24) to the support structure (22) to form a base structure (20);placing the base structure (20) in a heatable mold apparatus (4, 6, 10); andintroducing a matrix between the mold apparatus (4, 6, 10) and the base structure (20), which partially penetrates the fibrous material (24).