PRESSURE CONTAINER FOR STORING GASES OR LIQUIDS UNDER PRESSURES ABOVE 200 BAR

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pressure container for storing gases or liquids under pressures above 200 bar, comprising an elongate storage element having at least one rotationally symmetrical, preferably conical and/or cylindrical, central portion, a plurality (N) or number (N) of individual layers (n=1 to N) which each have at least one braided or wound reinforcing fibre, preferably at least two braided or wound reinforcing fibres, wherein the individual layers (n=1 to N) lie over one another in a local sequence along a perpendicular (S) to the axis of rotation of the central portion, and wherein an inner starting layer (n=1) surrounds a hollow body arranged within the storage element or forms said hollow body, and wherein an end layer (n=N) arranged above the starting layer (n=1) is provided, and wherein the reinforcing fibre or the reinforcing fibres in each of the individual layers (n=1 to N) has or have a layer-dependent fibre angle .sub.n relative to the axis of rotation projected into the respective individual layer (n=1 to N), wherein, proceeding from the starting layer (n=1) to the end layer (n=N), the angle differences .sub.n of the fibre angles .sub.n of two successive individual layers (n=1 to N1) are defined by the equation .sub.n=.sub.n+1.sub.n, where n=1 to N1, and, for at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, of all angle differences .sub.1 to .sub.N1, the condition .sub.n0 is met.

Claims

1. A pressure container for storing gases or liquids under pressures above 200 bar, having an elongate storage element comprising: at least one rotationally symmetrical, preferably conical and/or cylindrical central portion; and a plurality (N) or number (N) of individual layers (n=1 to N) each having at least one braided or wound reinforcing fibre, preferably at least two braided or wound reinforcing fibres, wherein the individual layers (n=1 to N) lie over one another in a local sequence along a perpendicular (S) to the axis of rotation of the central portion, wherein an inner starting layer (n=1) surrounds a hollow body disposed within the storage element or forms said hollow body, an end layer (n=N) disposed above the starting layer (n=1) is provided, and the reinforcing fibre or the reinforcing fibres in each of the individual layers (n=1 to N) has/have a layer-dependent fibre angle .sub.n relative to the axis of rotation projected into the respective individual layer (n=1 to N); wherein, proceeding from the starting layer (n=1) to the end layer (n=N) the angle differences .sub.n of the fibre angles .sub.n of two successive individual layers (n=1 to n=N1) are defined by the equation
.sub.n=.sub.n+1.sub.n wherein n=1 to N1, and wherein for at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, of all angle differences .sub.1 to .sub.N1 the condition .sub.n0 is met.

2. The pressure container according to claim 1, wherein the storage element comprises at least one rotationally symmetrical, cylindrical central portion and at least one of the individual layers (n=1 to N) has a fibre angle .sub.n of 54.7 or in the local sequence of the individual layers (n=1 to N) a fibre angle .sub.n of 54.7 is covered.

3. The pressure container according to claim 2, wherein the at least one of the individual layers (n=1 to N) or the area of the local sequence of the individual layers (n=1 to N) is disposed within a central portion (M) between the starting layer (n=1) and the end layer (n=N).

4. The pressure container according to claim 1, wherein the layer-dependent fibre angle .sub.n of the individual layers (n=1 to N) increases monotonically (m) or linearly (l) from the starting layer (n=1) to the end layer (n=N).

5. The pressure container according to claim 1, wherein the starting fibre angle (.sub.i) of the starting layer (n=1) is between 39 and 54, preferably between 47 and 53, more preferably between 49 and 52.

6. The pressure container according to claim 1, wherein the end fibre angle (.sub.N) of the end layer (n=N) is between 55 and 70, preferably between 56 to 65, more preferably between 57 and 60.

7. The pressure container according to claim 1, wherein the plurality (N) or number (N) of individual layers (n=1 to N) is at least 15 individual layers, preferably at least 20 individual layers, more preferably at least 25 individual layers, most preferably at least 30 individual layers.

8. The pressure container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one braided or wound reinforcing fibre, preferably the at least two braided or wound reinforcing fibres, of the individual layers (n=1 to N) is/are embedded in a thermoplastic or thermosetting matrix.

9. The pressure container according to claim 1, characterized in that wherein the at least one reinforcement fibre, preferably the at least two reinforcing fibres, of the individual layers (n=1 to N) is/are formed by one or more glass fibre(s) and/or carbon fibre(s) and/or basalt fibre(s) and/or aramid fibre(s).

10. The pressure container according to claim 1, wherein the kind of the at least one reinforcing fibre, preferably the at least two reinforcing fibres, in the individual layers (n=1 to N) is identical.

11. The pressure container according to claim 1, wherein the kind of the at least one reinforcing fibre, preferably the at least two reinforcing fibres, inside and/or among the individual layers (n=1 to N) is different.

12. The pressure container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one reinforcement fibre, preferably the at least two reinforcing fibres, is/are a braided reinforcement fibre, preferably at least two braided reinforcing fibres, and the fibre angle (.sub.n) is a fibre braid angle and the starting fibre angle (.sub.i) is a starting fibre braid angle and end fibre angle (.sub.N) is an end fibre braid angle.

13. The pressure container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one reinforcement fibre, preferably the at least two reinforcing fibres, is/are formed by a plurality of individual fibres or filaments.

Description

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0025] In the following the disclosure will be explained with reference to the drawing which merely shows exemplary embodiments. In the drawings schematically:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a pressure container;

[0027] FIGS. 2-4 are plan views of various individual layers of a pressure container according to the disclosure; and

[0028] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing different fibre angles in the individual layers.

[0029] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are denoted with the same reference symbols.

[0030] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a pressure container for storing gases or liquids under pressures above 200 bar, comprising an elongated storage element 1 having at least one rotationally symmetrical, preferably conical and/or cylindrical center portion 2. The storage element 1 also includes a plurality N or number N of individual layers n=1 to N (in the figure denoted by 1 . . . N), which each comprise at least one braided or wound reinforcing fibre 7, 7, preferably at least two braided or wound reinforcing fibres 7, 7, wherein the individual layers of n=1 to N lie over one another in a local sequence along a perpendicular S to the axis of rotation 11 of the central portion 2. In other words, the individual layers n=1 to N lie over one another in the radial direction. An inner starting layer n=1 surrounds a hollow body 4 disposed within the storage element. The hollow body 4 can in particular consist of a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material of the hollow body 4 may comprise polyamide or cross-linked polyethylene. Alternatively, the inner starting layer can form this hollow body n=1 by itself. An end layer n=N is disposed above the starting layer n=1. The storage element 1 has a rotationally symmetrical, cylindrical center portion 2. The center portion 2 is located between two pole caps P in each of which a valve portion V is arranged.

[0033] FIGS. 2 to 4 are plan views of various individual layers n=1 to N of the pressure container and the storage element 1 of FIG. 1, respectively. The reinforcing fibre 7, 7 or the reinforcement fibres 7, 7 in each of the individual layers n=1 to N shown has/have a layer-dependent fibre angle .sub.n relative to the axis of rotation 11 projected into the respective individual layer n=1 to N.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows the starting layer n=1, in which the at least one reinforcing fibre 7, 7, preferably the at least two reinforcing fibres 7, 7, has/have the starting fibre angle .sub.i between 39 to 53.

[0035] FIG. 3 shows one of the individual layers n=20 which has/have a fibre angle .sub.20 of 54.7 or which reinforcing fibre(s) 7, 7 has/have a fibre angle .sub.20 of 54.7. This individual layer n=20 is located in a central region M (see FIG. 1) between the starting layer n=1 and the end layer n=N.

[0036] FIG. 4 shows the end layer n=N=42, wherein the end fibre angle .sub.N=42 of the end layer n=N=42 or of the reinforcing fibre(s) 7, 7 is between 55 and 70.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing two possible sequences of the braid angle .sub.n in the various individual layers n=1 to N of the pressure container shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. In both of the two cases proceeding from the starting layer n=1 to the end layer n=N the angle differences .sub.n of the fibre angles .sub.n of two successive individual layers n=1 to n=N are defined by the equation

.sub.n=.sub.n+1.sub.n,

wherein n=1 to N1, and wherein for at least 80%, preferably at least 90% of all angle differences .sub.1 to .sub.N1 the condition .sub.n0 is met.

[0038] The layer-dependent fibre angle .sub.n of the individual layers n=1 to N may for example increase monotonically m or linearly l from the starting layer n=1 to the end layer n=N.

[0039] The plurality N or number N of individual layers of n=1 to N of the pressure container may be at least 15 individual layers, preferably at least 20 individual layers, more preferably at least 25 individual layers, and most preferably at least 30 individual layers. In the example shown, the plurality N or number N of individual layers is 42 individual layers.

[0040] The at least one braided or wound reinforcing fibre 7, 7, preferably the at least two braided or wound reinforcing fibres 7, 7, of the individual layers n=1 to N can be embedded in a thermoplastic or a thermosetting matrix. The thermosetting matrix may in particular comprise an epoxide, polyurethane, aminoplast, phenol resin, cross-linked polyacrylate, melamine resin or mixtures of the aforementioned materials. The thermoplastic matrix may comprise in particular polysulphone (PSU), polyethersulfone (PES), polyetherimide (PEI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyether ketones (PEK), polyimide imide (PAI), poly-m-phenylene isophthalamide (PMI), polyphthalam ides (PPA), polybenzimidazoles (PBI), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxylalkane (PFA), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyimide (PA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS), polycarbonate (PC), styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN), polyphenylene ether (PPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) or mixtures of the aforementioned materials.

[0041] The at least one reinforcing fibre 7, 7, preferably the at least two reinforcement fibres 7, 7, of the individual layers n=1 to N can be formed by one or more glass fibre(s) and/or carbon fibre(s) and/or basalt fibre(s) and/or aramid fibre(s) and/or flax fibre(s) and/or jute fibre(s) and/or boron fibre(s) and/or sisal fibre(s) and/or ceramic fibre(s) and/or metal fibre(s).

[0042] The kind of the at least one reinforcing fibre 7, 7 or the at least two reinforcement fibres 7, 7 in the individual layers n=1 to N is identical.

[0043] The at least one reinforcing fibre 7, 7, preferably the at least two reinforcing fibres 7, 7, shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 can in particular be a braided reinforcement fibre 7, 7, preferably at least two braided reinforcement fibres 7, 7, and the fibre angle .sub.n may be a fibre braid angle and the starting fibre angle .sub.i may be a starting fibre braid angle and the end fibre angle .sub.N may be an end fibre braid angle.

[0044] The at least one reinforcing fibre 7, 7, preferably the at least two reinforcing fibres 7, 7, shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 can be formed by a plurality of individual fibres or filaments.

[0045] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.