High Pressure Vessel

Abstract

A high-pressure container that includes a cylinder composed of a plastic, at least one half-shell composed of a plastic, a sleeve, a valve, and a seal member. The cylinder is to serve as a central member. The at least one half-shell is arranged at one axial end of the cylinder, and includes a substantially rotationally symmetrical insert as a boss member and a foot member at the end thereof facing an interior of the high-pressure container and which is embedded in the plastic of the at least one half-shell to substantially form a hollow cone or hollow cylinder. The sleeve is arranged within an inner circumference of the foot member such that the plastic of the half-shell is arranged between the sleeve and the inner circumference of the foot member. The valve is arranged in the boss member, and includes a stem portion arranged in the sleeve. The seal member includes a ring seal forming a seal between the stem portion of the valve and the sleeve.

Claims

1. A high-pressure container, comprising: a high-pressure container comprises a cylinder, composed of a plastic, to serve as a central member; at least one half-shell, composed of a plastic, at one axial end of the cylinder, the half-shell including a substantially rotationally symmetrical insert as a boss member, and a foot member at the end thereof facing an interior of the high-pressure container and which is embedded in the plastic of the at least one half-shell to substantially form a hollow cone or hollow cylinder; a sleeve arranged within an inner circumference of the foot member such that the plastic of the half-shell is arranged between the sleeve and the inner circumference of the foot member; a valve arranged in the boss member, the valve having a stem portion arranged in the sleeve; and a seal member including a ring seal to form a seal between the stem portion of the valve and the sleeve.

2. The high-pressure container of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is press-fit into the inner circumference of the foot member in a manner such that a thin plastic layer is compressed between the sleeve and the inner circumference of the foot member in a region of the press-fitting.

3. The high-pressure container of claim 1, wherein the plastic of the half-shell fills the entire space between the sleeve and the inner circumference of the foot member.

4. The high-pressure container of claim 1, wherein the plastic comprises a multilayer composite plastic to serve as a barrier layer.

5. The high-pressure container of claim 4, further comprising a first groove, filled with the multilayer composite plastic of the half-shell, extending around the inner circumference of the foot member at a level of the sleeve, at least in one or more sections.

6. The high-pressure container of claim 4, wherein the multilayer composite plastic of the half-shell is arranged axially on both sides of the foot member.

7. The high-pressure container of claim 4, wherein: the foot member has at least one second groove which is filled with the multilayer composite plastic of the half-shell, and the second groove extends around at least in one or more sections proximate to the inner circumference of the foot member on a bottom of the foot member, the bottom facing the container interior.

8. The high-pressure container of claim 4, wherein: the foot member has at least one third groove which is filled with the multilayer composite plastic of the half-shell, and the third groove extends around at least in one or more sections on a top surface of the foot member, the top surface facing the outside of the container.

9. The high-pressure container of claim 4, wherein: the foot member has at least one fourth groove which is filled with the multilayer composite plastic of the half-shell, and the fourth groove extends around at least in one or more sections proximate to an outer circumference of the foot member on the bottom of the foot member, the bottom facing the container interior.

10. The high-pressure container of claim 1, further comprising a fiber material to encapsulate the cylinder and the at least one half-shells, the fiber material comprising a composite material having carbon fibers, and/or glass fibers, and/or epoxy resin.

11. A high-pressure container, comprising: a high-pressure container comprises a cylinder, composed of a plastic, to serve as a central member; a first half-shell, composed of a plastic, at a first axial end of the cylinder, the first half-shell including a substantially rotationally symmetrical first insert as a first boss member, and a first foot member at the end thereof facing an interior of the high-pressure container and which is embedded in the plastic of the first half-shell to substantially form a hollow cone or hollow cylinder; a second half-shell, composed of a plastic, at a second axial end of the cylinder, the second half-shell including a substantially rotationally symmetrical second insert as a second boss member, and a second foot member at the end thereof facing an interior of the high-pressure container and which is embedded in the plastic of the second half-shell to substantially form a hollow cone or hollow cylinder; a first sleeve arranged within an inner circumference of the first foot member such that the plastic of the first half-shell is arranged between the first sleeve and the inner circumference of the first foot member; a second sleeve arranged within an inner circumference of the second foot member such that the plastic of the second half-shell is arranged between the second sleeve and the inner circumference of the second foot member; a first valve arranged in the first boss member, the first valve having a first stem portion arranged in the first sleeve; a second valve arranged in the second boss member, the second valve having a second stem portion arranged in the second sleeve; a first seal member including a first ring seal to form a first seal between the first stem portion of the first valve and the first sleeve; and a second seal member including a second ring seal to form a second seal between the second stem portion of the second valve and the second sleeve.

12. The high-pressure container of claim 11, wherein: the first sleeve is press-fit into the inner circumference of the first foot member in a manner such that a thin first plastic layer is compressed between the first sleeve and the inner circumference of the first foot member in a region of the press-fitting, and the second sleeve is press-fit into the inner circumference of the second foot member in a manner such that a thin second plastic layer is compressed between the second sleeve and the inner circumference of the second foot member in a region of the press-fitting.

13. The high-pressure container of claim 11, wherein: the plastic of the first half-shell fills the entire space between the first sleeve and the inner circumference of the first foot member; and the plastic of the second half-shell fills the entire space between the second sleeve and the inner circumference of the second foot member.

14. The high-pressure container of claim 11, wherein: the plastic of the first half-shell comprises a multilayer composite plastic to serve as a first barrier layer, and the plastic of the second half-shell comprises a multilayer composite plastic to serve as a second barrier layer.

15. The high-pressure container of claim 14, further comprising: a first groove, filled with the multilayer composite plastic of the first half-shell, extending around the inner circumference of the first foot member at a level of the first sleeve, at least in one or more sections, and a second groove, filled with the multilayer composite plastic of the second half-shell, extending around the inner circumference of the second foot member at a level of the second sleeve, at least in one or more sections.

16. The high-pressure container of claim 14, wherein: the multilayer composite plastic of the first half-shell is arranged axially on both sides of the first foot member, the multilayer composite plastic of the second half-shell is arranged axially on both sides of the second foot member.

17. The high-pressure container of claim 14, wherein: the first foot member has at least one third groove which is filled with the multilayer composite plastic of the first half-shell, the third groove extending around at least in one or more sections proximate to the inner circumference of the first foot member on a bottom of the first foot member, the bottom facing the container interior; and the second foot member has at least one fourth groove which is filled with the multilayer composite plastic of the second half-shell, the fourth groove extending around at least in one or more sections proximate to the inner circumference of the second foot member on a bottom of the second foot member, the bottom facing the container interior.

18. The high-pressure container of claim 14, wherein: the first foot member has at least one fifth groove which is filled with the multilayer composite plastic of the first half-shell, the fifth groove extending around at least in one or more sections on a top surface of the first foot member, the top surface facing the outside of the container, and the second foot member has at least one sixth groove which is filled with the multilayer composite plastic of the second half-shell, the sixth groove extending around at least in one or more sections on a top surface of the second foot member, the top surface facing the outside of the container.

19. The high-pressure container of claim 14, wherein: the first foot member has at least one seventh groove which is filled with the multilayer composite plastic of the first half-shell, the seventh groove extending around at least in one or more sections proximate to an outer circumference of the first foot member on the bottom of the first foot member, the bottom facing the container interior, and the second foot member has at least one eighth groove which is filled with the multilayer composite plastic of the second half-shell, the eighth groove extending around at least in one or more sections proximate to an outer circumference of the second foot member on the bottom of the second foot member, the bottom facing the container interior.

20. The high-pressure container of claim 21, further comprising a fiber material to encapsulate the cylinder, the first half-shell, and the second half-shell, the fiber material comprising a composite material having carbon fibers, and/or glass fibers, and/or epoxy resin.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0048] One or more embodiments will be illustrated by way of example in the drawings and explained in the description hereinbelow.

[0049] FIG. 1 through 6, illustrate sectional views of process blocks of a method for producing a half-shell for a high-pressure container, in accordance with a first embodiment.

[0050] FIG. 7 illustrates a detail depiction of FIG. 3 in the region around the undercut of the insert.

[0051] FIG. 8 illustrates a detail depiction of FIG. 4 in the region around the undercut of the insert.

[0052] FIGS. 9 through 14 illustrate sectional views of process blocks of a method for producing a half-shell for a high-pressure container, in accordance with a second embodiment.

[0053] FIG. 15 illustrates a sectional view of a high-pressure container, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0054] FIG. 16 illustrates a sectional view of a half-shell of a high-pressure container, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0055] FIG. 17 illustrates a sectional view of a half-shell of a high-pressure container with an inserted sleeve, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0056] FIG. 18 illustrates a sectional view of a half-shell of a high-pressure container with an inserted valve, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0057] FIG. 19 illustrates a sectional view of the detail A of the half-shell of FIG. 18.

[0058] FIG. 20 illustrates a sectional view of the detail A of FIG. 19 with a potential leakage path.

[0059] FIG. 21 illustrates a sectional view of a half-shell of a high-pressure container, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0060] FIG. 22 illustrates a sectional view of the detail B of the half-shell of FIG. 21.

DESCRIPTION

[0061] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, a method for producing a half-shell for a high-pressure container is provided in accordance with one or more embodiments. A die is used having a first die half 2 which forms a female die, and a second die half 5 which forms a punch. The die thus comprises two die halves. An insert 1 is positioned on a movable mount 7 in the first die half 2 that serves as the lower die half. The second die half 5, serving as the upper die half, acts as a punch in order to apply pressure at the end of the process. In addition, it is also possible for a second insert to be mounted on the second die half 5. With the aid of slides 4 provided in the die and/or a vacuum, the plastic is brought to the points necessary for the positive engagement. For this purpose, a preheated first plastic sheet 3 is placed on the first die half 2, and the first plastic sheet 3 is sucked or pressed against the first die half 2 via a vacuum or a pressure force. After this, the insert 1, to serve as a boss member, is positioned in such a way that plastic of the first plastic sheet 3 is arranged behind an undercut, laterally at a distance from the insert 1, in one or more regions. Alternatively, it is also possible to dispense with the movement of the insert 1, so that the plastic is immediately sucked onto a correctly positioned insert 1, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0062] From being laterally at a distance from the insert 1, the plastic of the first plastic sheet 3 is then pressed or sucked against the insert 1 behind the undercut via a slide 4, or a vacuum, or a pressure force, thus ensuring that a space behind the undercut of the insert 1 is filled with the plastic.

[0063] Finally, the second die half 5 is driven onto the first die half 2 in order to form the inner contour of the half-shell.

[0064] In detail, the single-sheet method illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6 has the following process blocks.

[0065] As illustrated in FIG. 1, in a first process block of the single-sheet method, the insert 1, namely the boss member, and a preheated plastic sheet 3 are mounted on one die half, namely the first die half 2. The insert 1 is in the initial position. Optionally, it is also possible at this point for the second die half 5 to be provided with a further insert, in particular with the sleeve 20, which will be discussed later with regards to FIGS. 17 through 21).

[0066] The plastic sheet 3 is sucked with the aid of a vacuum into the first die half 2, which reproduces the outer component geometry.

[0067] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, in accordance with one or more embodiments In order to fill the space necessary for the positive engagement, behind the undercut of the insert 1 with plastic, the insert 1 is positioned on a movable mount 7 in the first die half 2. The space behind the undercut of the component is filled by lifting the component and, for example, simultaneously using a vacuum and/or slides 4.

[0068] As illustrated in FIG. 5, in the next process block, the second die half 5 is lowered with a defined closing force onto the first die half 2 and the inner contour of the component is reproduced. In the course of this process block, the insert 1 can optionally be brought back into the initial position. The plastic is thereby additionally compressed behind the undercuts and the positive engagement between the insert 1 and the plastic of the first plastic sheet 3 is increased.

[0069] An alternative embodiment of the production method is illustrated in FIGS. 9 through 14, namely, a twin-sheet method for producing the half-shell.

[0070] As illustrated in FIG. 9, in a first process block of the twin-sheet method, a preheated plastic sheet 3, 6 is mounted on each of the die halves 2, 5. Optionally, it is possible at this point for an insert to be mounted on the second die half 5 as well.

[0071] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the plastic sheets 3, 6 are sucked with the aid of a vacuum into or against the respective die halves 2, 5, which reproduce the outer and inner component geometry, respectively.

[0072] As illustrated in FIG. 11, in the next process block, the insert 1 to be enclosed is inserted into the first die half 2.

[0073] As illustrated in FIG. 12, the space behind the undercut of the insert 1, the undercut being necessary for the positive engagement, is filled with plastic with the aid of a vacuum and/or slides 4.

[0074] As illustrated in FIG. 13, the excess material is cut off behind the undercut by cutting edges introduced into the die. These cutting edges can also be contained in the slides 4.

[0075] As illustrated in FIG. 14, the fully moulded component is provided, in which the excess plastic is cut off below the undercut and the slides 4. It is also possible for a sleeve 20 to be introduced, in particular press-fit, into the boss member and/or into the plastic within the boss member at a later point in time.

[0076] As illustrated in FIG. 15, a high-pressure container is provided in accordance with one or more embodiments. The high-pressure container comprises a cylinder 10 as a central member. The cylinder 10 is composed of a multilayer composite plastic 11 which comprises a barrier layer 12. The high-pressure container further comprises at least one half-shell 13 at one axial end of the cylinder 10, the half-shell 13 being composed of a multilayer composite plastic 11 which comprises a barrier layer 12. The half-shell 13 further comprises a substantially rotationally symmetrical insert 1 to serve as a boss member. The insert 1 comprises an undercut with respect to demoulding in the direction of the longitudinal central axis of the insert 1. The multilayer composite plastic 11 of the half-shell 13 is arranged axially on both sides of the undercut of the insert 1.

[0077] The undercut is formed by a foot member 14 at the end of the insert 1 facing the container interior, which foot member has a greater diameter than a central member of the insert 1. The multilayer composite plastic 11 is arranged axially on both sides of the foot member 14. The foot member 14 has a plurality of grooves 15 which are filled with the multilayer composite plastic 11 of the half-shell 13. The insert 1 substantially has the shape of a hollow cylinder. The foot member 14 substantially has the shape of a hollow cone. The grooves 15 filled with the multilayer composite plastic 11 of the half-shell 13 extends around an inner circumference of the foot member 14.

[0078] The multilayer composite plastic 11 of the cylinder 10 merges into the multilayer composite plastic 11 of the half-shell 13. The multilayer composite plastic 11 of the half-shell 13 and also that of the cylinder 10 comprises a layer of HDPE as the outermost layer and a barrier layer 12 of EVOH. The HDPE can be in the form of HDPE-S (black), which can be followed by a regranulate layer, an adhesion promoter, the EVOH layer, optionally again by an adhesion promoter and optionally also, once again, by an HDPE layer as the innermost layer.

[0079] The high-pressure container comprises two half-shells 13 at the axial ends of the cylinder 10, both half-shells 13 being designed as described hereinabove, i.e., having an insert as a boss member 1 which is embedded in the multilayer composite plastic 11. The cylinder 10 and the two half-shells 13 are preferably wrapped with a fiber material 16, preferably with a composite material comprising carbon fibers and/or glass fibers and/or epoxy resin.

[0080] Overall, a high-pressure container is thus specified which can be used for the storage of gases under high pressure. This is of lightweight construction and has a multi-part multilayer plastic liner, comprising two dome caps 13 and a cylinder 10, which ensures gas tightness and contains a permeation barrier 12. Inserts 1, namely boss members, more precisely a “headstock” and a “tailstock” are integrated into both dome caps 13. Both in the dome caps 13 and in the cylinder tube 10, the permeation properties are provided by a sealing layer or barrier layer 12 contained in the layered structure of the liner. The high-pressure container acquires its mechanical strength from a fiber-reinforced composite 16, which is applied to the plastic liner in a winding process and subsequently cured.

[0081] As illustrated in FIG. 16, a half-shell 13 of a high-pressure container before the sleeve 20 is inserted is provided in accordance with one or more embodiments. The half-shell 13 is composed of a multilayer composite plastic 11, which comprises a barrier layer 12. The half-shell 13 further comprises a substantially rotationally symmetrical insert 1 as a boss member. The insert 1 has a foot member 14 at the end of the insert 1 facing the container interior, which foot member 14 has a greater diameter than a central member of the insert 1. The foot member 14 substantially forms a hollow cone.

[0082] A first groove 15 filled with the multilayer composite plastic 11 of the half-shell 13 extends around the inner circumference of the foot member 14. The multilayer composite plastic 11 of the half-shell 13 is arranged axially on both sides of the foot member 14.

[0083] The foot member 14 has a second groove 17 which is filled with the multilayer composite plastic 11 of the half-shell 13, the second groove 17 extending around proximate to the inner circumference of the foot member 14 on the bottom of the foot member 14, the bottom facing the container interior.

[0084] The foot member 14 also has a third groove 18 which is filled with the multilayer composite plastic 11 of the half-shell 13, the third groove 18 extending around on the top surface of the foot member 14, the top surface facing the outside of the container.

[0085] The foot member 14 additionally has a fourth groove 19 which is filled with the multilayer composite plastic 11 of the half-shell 13, the fourth groove 19 extending around proximate to the outer circumference of the foot member 14 on the bottom of the foot member 14, the bottom facing the interior of the container.

[0086] As illustrated in FIG. 17, after completion of the half-shell, a sleeve 20 is arranged radially to the inside of the first groove 15 within the inner circumference of the foot member 14. The multilayer composite plastic 11 of the half-shell 13 is pressed against the inner circumference of the foot member 14 and into the first groove 15 by the sleeve 20.

[0087] As illustrated in FIG. 18, a complete half-shell with an inserted, tightly seated valve 21 is provided in accordance with one or more embodiments. A sleeve 20 is arranged within the inner circumference of the foot member 14. The plastic 11 of the half-shell 13 is arranged between the sleeve 20 and the inner circumference of the foot member 14. The high-pressure container comprises a valve 21 which is accommodated in the insert 1 (i.e., boss member), a stem portion of the valve 21 being accommodated in the sleeve 20. A ring seal as a seal member 22 seals between the stem portion of the valve 21 and the sleeve 20.

[0088] As illustrated in FIG. 19, the detail A of FIG. 18 is depicted more precisely. The sleeve 20 is press-fit into the inner circumference of the foot member 14 in a manner such that a thin plastic layer of the plastic 11 remains between the sleeve 20 and the inner circumference of the foot member 14 in the region of press fitting. The plastic 11 of the half-shell 13 fills the entire space between the sleeve 20 and the inner circumference of the foot member 14.

[0089] As illustrated in FIG. 20, by virtue of the action of the seal member 22 between the valve 21 and the sleeve 20, all that is necessary is to ensure sealing in the region of the plastic 11 outside the sleeve 20. By virtue of the thin plastic layer between the sleeve 20 and the inner circumference of the insert 1, there is a high level of sealing in the region of the leakage path (shown as an arrow in FIG. 20) after the sleeve 20 has been press-fit. By virtue of the small thickness of the plastic film, thermal expansion during operation as well as shrinkage during the production process are negligible in this region and good sealing is ensured.

[0090] As illustrated in FIG. 21 and the detail segment thereof in detail B in FIG. 22, a seal member can be arranged at the bottom of the grooves, in particular, of the first groove 15 and of the second groove 17. The primary sealing effect is achieved by the compression of the plastic in the circumferential grooves 15 and 17 on the metal lower part or in the core hole bore of the foot member of the boss member 1. Two further grooves 18, 19 on the outside of the disc or upper surface of the disc serve primarily for positive engagement and stabilization of the plastic-metal joint. By virtue of the sleeve 20 being pushed into the core hole bore in the course of the manufacturing process, the pressure on the sealing plastic material in the first groove 15 is increased. In one or more embodiments, one or both sealing grooves 15, 17 (as illustrated in FIG. 19) are provided with an additional seal member to increase the sealing effect in this region.

[0091] The terms “coupled,” “attached,” or “connected” may be used herein to refer to any type of relationship, direct or indirect, between the components in question, and may apply to electrical, mechanical, fluid, optical, electromagnetic, electromechanical or other connections. In addition, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein only to facilitate discussion, and carry no particular temporal or chronological significance unless otherwise indicated.

[0092] Those skilled in the art will appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad techniques of the embodiments can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while the embodiments have been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the embodiments should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, specification, and following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0093] 1 insert, boss member

[0094] 2 first die half

[0095] 3 first plastic sheet

[0096] 4 slide

[0097] 5 second die half

[0098] 6 second plastic sheet

[0099] 7 mount

[0100] 10 cylinder

[0101] 11 multilayer composite plastic

[0102] 12 barrier layer

[0103] 13 half-shell

[0104] 14 foot member

[0105] 15 first groove

[0106] 16 fiber material

[0107] 17 second groove

[0108] 18 third groove

[0109] 19 fourth groove

[0110] 20 sleeve

[0111] 21 valve

[0112] 22 seal member