Pressure Vessel Comprising a Domed Cap, and Method for Manufacturing a Pressure Vessel

Abstract

A pressure vessel for storing fuel includes a liner for storing the fuel, a fiber-reinforced layer that surrounds at least some areas of the liner, and at least one domed cap which at least partially covers an end of the liner. Connection pins project from the surface of the domed cap. The connection pins protrude from the fiber-reinforced layer.

Claims

1. A pressure vessel for storing fuel, comprising: a liner configured to store the fuel; a fiber-reinforced layer surrounding at least some areas of the liner; at least one dome cap which at least partially covers one end of the liner; and connecting pins projecting from a surface of the dome cap, wherein the connecting pins protrude out of the fiber-reinforced layer.

2. The pressure vessel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dome cap further comprises: bolts which likewise project from the surface of the dome cap.

3. The pressure vessel as claimed in claim 2, wherein the dome cap is configured in one piece with a port of the pressure vessel.

4. The pressure vessel as claimed in claim 3, wherein the dome cap has at least one laminate layer, fibers of at least one ply of the laminate layer being oriented in the circumferential direction.

5. The pressure vessel as claimed in claim 4, wherein the dome cap bears directly or indirectly at least in regions against the liner and/or against a port.

6. The pressure vessel as claimed in claim 5, wherein the connecting pins and/or the bolts are arranged concentrically with a center longitudinal axis of the pressure vessel.

7. The pressure vessel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dome cap is configured in one piece with a port of the pressure vessel.

8. The pressure vessel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dome cap has at least one laminate layer, fibers of at least one ply of the laminate layer being oriented in the circumferential direction.

9. The pressure vessel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dome cap bears directly or indirectly at least in regions against the liner and/or against a port.

10. The pressure vessel as claimed in claim 2, wherein the connecting pins and/or the bolts are arranged concentrically with a center longitudinal axis of the pressure vessel.

11. A motor vehicle, comprising: at least one pressure vessel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting pins of the pressure vessel are coupled to vehicle body attaching elements of the motor vehicle such that forces and/or torques are transmittable from the vehicle body into the pressure vessel.

12. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 11, wherein in each case one dome cap is provided at both ends of the at least one pressure vessel.

13. A method for producing a pressure vessel, the method comprising the steps of: providing a liner for storing fuel and at least one dome cap, the dome cap covering one end of the liner at least partially; and applying a fiber-reinforced layer, the fiber-reinforced layer covering the dome cap at least partially, wherein connecting pins of the dome cap protrude out of the fiber-reinforced layer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure vessel.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a further cross-sectional view of a pressure vessel.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a dome cap 130.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a dome cap 130.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a partial cross section of a pressure vessel with a liner 110 and a fiber-reinforced layer 120. The liner 110 forms a storage volume 1 for the fuel. An outlet or an opening O for the stored fuel is provided at the front end P.sub.1. This opening O and the port 140 are not to be considered to be a connecting pin 132. The connecting pins 132 project from the surface 138 (cf. FIG. 4) of the dome cap 130. The connecting pins 132 can have a support reinforcement (not shown) at the base of the connecting pins 132. Here, the connecting pins 132 are configured in one piece with the dome cap 130 which bears partially against the connecting section 144 from the port 140 and partially against the liner 110 here. Here, the dome cap 130 protrudes into the shell region M of the pressure vessel or the liner 110. Here, the dome cap 130 is covered completely by the fiber-reinforced layer 120. Merely the connecting pins 132 protrude out of the fiber-reinforced layer 120. The protruding part of the connecting pins 132 advantageously serves to couple the pressure vessel to the vehicle body (not shown). The port 140 has a neck 142, in which a further connector element 170 is inserted here. Adjacently with respect to the connecting pins 132, bolts 134 can likewise be arranged spaced apart radially from the port. If forces and torques are then transmitted by the vehicle body (not shown) to the connecting pins 132, said forces and torques are partially introduced directly into the fiber-reinforced layer. The dome cap section between the respective connecting pins 132 and bolts 134 can also transmit said forces and torques at least partially to the bolts 134. The bolts 134 then introduce the forces and/or torques into the fiber-reinforced layer 120 in a non-positive manner. Furthermore, the dome cap section introduces a part of the forces and torques into the fiber-reinforced layer 120 in an integrally joined manner. The forces and torques which are transmitted by the vehicle body are therefore introduced partially by way of the connecting pins 132 and bolts 134, in each case in a positively locking manner, and by way of the surface of the dome cap section, in an integrally joined manner, into the fiber-reinforced layer 120. The forces and torques are therefore introduced comparatively extensively into the fiber-reinforced layer 120. Punctiform loads are reduced. Comparatively high forces and torques can therefore be transmitted overall with a low pressure vessel weight at the same time. Furthermore, the construction which is disclosed herein can be produced comparatively simply and therefore inexpensively. The dome cap 130 itself additionally reinforces the pole cap with regard to forces which result from the vessel interior pressure. If, for example, a dome cap 130 made from a fiber-reinforced plastic is used, the fibers in the laminate can advantageously be arranged in the circumferential direction (cf. FIG. 4). A blind boss is provided at the second end P.sub.2. Here, the dome cap 130 bears predominantly against the liner 110. Otherwise, the dome cap 130 corresponds substantially to the dome cap 130.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows a further refinement of the pressure vessel. In the following text, only the differences in comparison with the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 1 will be described. All other features are substantially identical. The pressure vessel which is shown here has a dome cap 130, into which the boss or port 140 is also integrated. The dome cap 130 therefore also comprises the collar section or neck section 142, into which the connector element 170 can be introduced. Toward the cylindrical shell region, the dome cap 130 already ends here in the transition region . A bevel is provided on the edge which is provided there, with the result that the transition to the fiber reinforced layer is as harmonic as possible (as is also the case in FIG. 1).

[0036] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a dome cap 130, as can be used, for example, in the pressure vessel of FIG. 1. The connecting pins 132 project perpendicularly to the outside from the surface 138 of the dome cap 130. Here, the dome cap 130 is formed from an aluminum sheet. Other materials can likewise be used, however. Here, the dome cap has a circular base area. The opening 136 is provided in the center.

[0037] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the dome cap 130, in which view the circumferential direction is additionally plotted.

[0038] FIGS. 1 to 4 show an elongate pressure vessel which has a cylindrical region M and correspondingly curved ends P.sub.1, P.sub.2. Other pressure vessel shapes are also contemplated, however, and are also included by the technology which is disclosed herein. For example, the pressure vessel can have an elliptical basic shape. The cylindrical region M can also be of more bulbous configuration. The diameter might then vary in the cylindrical region M. The pressure vessel might also not be of rotationally symmetrical configuration.

[0039] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

[0040] Liner 110 [0041] Fiber-reinforced layer 120 [0042] Dome cap 130 [0043] Connecting pins 132 [0044] Bolt 134 [0045] Cap opening 136 [0046] Surface 138 [0047] Boss/Port 140 [0048] Neck 142 [0049] Connecting section 144 [0050] Connector element 170 [0051] Opening O [0052] Pressure vessel longitudinal axis A-A [0053] Circumferential direction U [0054] Shell region M [0055] End, pole cap region P1, P2 [0056] Transition region .Math.