IP Library Granted Patent US 12663121
Granted Patent B2
US 12663121 · App. 18/799,220 · Granted Jun 23, 2026

Coupling device for pressure vessel

Inventors: Seong Nyeong Park (Hwaseong-si, KR); Do Hyeon Kim (Hwaseong-si, KR)
Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company; Kia Corporation
F17C13/084F17C2201/0119F17C2205/0146F17C2205/0305F17C2205/037F17C2221/012F17C2270/0105F17C2270/0168F17C2270/0184F17C2270/0189
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12663121
App. No.
18/799,220
Granted
Jun 23, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An embodiment coupling device includes a boss disposed at an end of a pressure vessel that is configured to store a target fluid, the boss including an inflow/outflow path through which the target fluid is introduced or discharged and a guide hole disposed in a reference direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the pressure vessel and a manifold member configured to be inserted into the guide hole in the reference direction and including a manifold flow path configured to communicate with the inflow/outflow path.

Claims (51)

1 . A coupling device comprising:

a boss disposed at an end of a pressure vessel that is configured to store a target fluid, the boss comprising an inflow/outflow path through which the target fluid is introducible or dischargeable and a guide hole disposed in a reference direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the pressure vessel;

a manifold member insertable into the guide hole in the reference direction and comprising a manifold flow path configured to communicate with the inflow/outflow path wherein a length of the guide hole is greater than a length of the manifold member in the longitudinal direction;

a first sealing member disposable between the boss and a surface of the manifold member that faces the inflow/outflow path,

wherein the first sealing member is configured to be in surface contact with the boss and the surface of the manifold member; and

a blocking member being band shaped and having an arc-shaped cross-section, wherein the blocking member is configured to block a gap between the guide hole and the manifold member in the longitudinal direction.

2 . The coupling device of claim 1 , wherein the manifold flow path comprises:

a first flow path configured to communicate with the inflow/outflow path and disposed in the longitudinal direction; and

a second flow path configured to communicate with the first flow path and disposed in the reference direction.

3 . The coupling device of claim 2 , wherein a first end of two opposite ends of the second flow path is exposed to an end of the manifold member based on a longitudinal direction of the manifold member.

4 . The coupling device of claim 1 , further comprising a restriction portion configured to restrict a movement of the manifold member relative to the boss in an upward/downward direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the pressure vessel.

5 . The coupling device of claim 4 , wherein:

the restriction portion comprises:

a first guide surface defining a first wall surface of the guide hole; and

a second guide surface facing the first guide surface and defining a second wall surface of the guide hole; and

the manifold member is supported between the first guide surface and the second guide surface.

6 . The coupling device of claim 5 , wherein the first guide surface, the second guide surface, or both the first guide surface and the second guide surface is a flat surface.

7 . The coupling device of claim 6 , wherein the manifold member comprises:

a first flat portion disposed in surface contact with the first guide surface; and

a second flat portion is in surface contact with the second guide surface.

8 . The coupling device of claim 1 , wherein the first sealing member comprises a sealing pattern having a closed-loop shape that surrounds a periphery of the inflow/outflow path.

9 . The coupling device of claim 1 , further comprising a bonding layer disposed between the boss and the surface of the manifold member that faces the inflow/outflow path.

10 . The coupling device of claim 1 , further comprising a restriction member configured to restrict a movement of the manifold member relative to the boss in the longitudinal direction.

11 . The coupling device of claim 1 , wherein the blocking member comprises a metal.

12 . The coupling device of claim 1 , wherein the blocking member comprises a polymer.

13 . A coupling device comprising:

a boss disposed at an end of a pressure vessel that is configured to store a target fluid, the boss comprising an inflow/outflow path through which the target fluid is introducible or dischargeable and a guide hole disposed in a reference direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the pressure vessel;

a manifold member removably arranged in the guide hole in the reference direction and comprising a manifold flow path communicating with the inflow/outflow path, wherein a length of the guide hole is greater than a length of the manifold member in the longitudinal direction;

a first sealing member disposed between the boss and a surface of the manifold member that faces the inflow/outflow path, wherein the first sealing member is in surface contact with the boss and the surface of the manifold member;

a restriction member configured to restrict a movement of the manifold member relative to the boss in the longitudinal direction of the pressure vessel; and

a blocking member being band shaped and having an arc-shaped cross-section, wherein the blocking member blocks a gap between the guide hole and the manifold member in the longitudinal direction.

14 . The coupling device of claim 13 , further comprising an accommodation portion disposed at an end of the boss based on the longitudinal direction of the pressure vessel, wherein the restriction member is accommodated in the accommodation portion and configured to press the manifold member.

15 . The coupling device of claim 14 , further comprising:

a first screw thread portion disposed on an inner peripheral surface of the accommodation portion; and

a second screw thread portion disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the restriction member and configured to engage with the first screw thread portion, wherein the restriction member is configured to restrict the manifold member using a fastening force between the first screw thread portion and the second screw thread portion.

16 . The coupling device of claim 13 , further comprising:

a guide protrusion disposed on a surface of the restriction member that faces the manifold member; and

a guide groove disposed in the manifold member and configured to accommodate the guide protrusion,

wherein the guide protrusion is disposed in an axial direction of the pressure vessel.

17 . The coupling device of claim 13 , further comprising a second sealing member disposed between the manifold member and the restriction member.

18 . A coupling device comprising:

a boss disposed at an end of a pressure vessel, wherein the pressure vessel comprises a liner configured to store a target fluid, wherein the boss is disposed at an end of the liner, and wherein the boss comprises an inflow/outflow path through which the target fluid is introducible or dischargeable and a guide hole disposed in a reference direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the pressure vessel;

a manifold member insertable into the guide hole in the reference direction and comprising a manifold flow path configured to communicate with the inflow/outflow path, wherein a length of the guide hole is greater than a length of the manifold member in the longitudinal direction;

a first sealing member disposable between the boss and a surface of the manifold member that faces the inflow/outflow path, wherein the first sealing member is configured to be in surface contact with the boss and the surface of the manifold member; and

a blocking member being band shaped and having an arc-shaped cross-section, wherein the blocking member is configured to block a gap between the guide hole and the manifold member in the longitudinal direction.

19 . The coupling device of claim 18 , wherein:

the liner comprises:

a liner body portion configured to store the target fluid; and

a liner neck portion extending from an end of the liner body portion; and

the inflow/outflow path is defined along an inside of the liner neck portion.

20 . The coupling device of claim 19 , further comprising a liner flange portion disposed at an end of the liner neck portion and having a cross-sectional area that is greater than a cross-sectional area of the liner neck portion, wherein the manifold member is in close contact with the liner flange portion.