Anti-rotational and anti-translational end ring for use in filament winding a pressure vessel

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11806945-B2
Application number	US-202017771442-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 29, 2020
Priority date	Nov 1, 2019
Publication date	Nov 7, 2023
Grant date	Nov 7, 2023

Abstract

A polar end ring mechanism for use with composite pressure vessels. The end ring is designed to support a pressure vessel during its formation via filament winding. The end ring helps define an opening at one of the polar ends of a tank. Spikes positioned along a portion of the end ring help prevent rotation or translation of the tank during formation and provide an improved mechanical lock with the tank body. A cap may then be secured to the polar end ring after formation in order to close the pressure vessel.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An end ring for use in filament winding a pressure vessel, comprising:
an outer flange defining a first end of the end ring; and
a platform comprising a side surface and an end surface, the platform inward of the outer flange along an axis, wherein the end surface of the platform defines a second end of the end ring such that the platform and the outer flange define opposing ends of the end ring along the axis,
wherein the end ring defines a central opening extending from the first end to the second end,
wherein at least one spike extends outwards in a radial direction relative to the central opening from the side surface of the platform,
wherein the at least one spike comprising a base dimension and a tapered portion, the tapered portion having a smaller dimension than the base dimension, and
wherein at least one pocket is defined in the end surface of the platform, the at least one pocket comprising a pocket surface recessed into the platform.

2. The end ring of claim 1 , wherein the tapered portion ends at a point.

3. The end ring of claim 1 , wherein the at least one spike comprises a plurality of spikes.

4. The end ring of claim 1 , wherein the at least one spike comprises a surface feature.

5. The end ring of claim 4 , wherein the surface feature comprises one or more grooves.

6. The end ring of claim 4 , wherein the surface feature comprises a diamond knurled surface.

7. The end ring of claim 1 , further comprising a cap configured to seal the central opening.

8. The end ring of claim 1 , wherein the outer flange comprises a curved upper surface.

9. A method of forming a pressure vessel via filament winding, comprising:
providing the end ring of claim 1 ,
rotating the end ring on a rotating mandrel;
laying down filament fibers to form a pressure vessel with the end ring defining at least one polar end of the pressure vessel.

Assignees

• Mag Aerospace Ind Llc

Inventors

• Nakhla Mario
• Lopez Oscar

Classifications

• B29C70/32 Primary

  on a rotating mould, former or core · CPC title

• B29C53/602

  for tubular articles having closed or nearly closed ends, e.g. vessels, tanks, containers · CPC title

• B29C53/62

  rotatable about the winding axis · CPC title

• B29C53/8008

  specially adapted for winding and joining · CPC title

• F17C1/16

  constructed of plastics materials {(shaping of plastics B29C)} · CPC title