Pressurized gas vessel and piercing mechanism
High pressure compressed gas pressure vessels and devices utilizing such vessels are disclosed herein. More particularly, aspects of the present invention are directed to high pressure (i.e., nitrogen or N2 based) pressurized gas cylinders with pierceable membranes recessed from the opening of the pressure vessel such that prior art piercing mechanisms cannot pierce the membrane for safety purposes. Additionally, aspects of the present invention are directed to pressurized gas operated devices with elongated pins for piercing pressure vessels with recessed pierceable membranes.
1 . A pressure vessel comprising:
a hollow body having exactly one opening; and
a cap comprising:
a shoulder having a bottom surface configured to abut the hollow body about the opening in the hollow body when the pressure vessel is assembled, wherein the shoulder is generally planar having a hole therethrough;
a sidewall extending longitudinally and perpendicularly from the bottom surface of the shoulder about the hole, said sidewall having a central opening; and
a membrane closing off the central opening, wherein the membrane is longitudinally offset from the shoulder;
wherein:
the sidewall extends into the opening of the hollow body when the pressure vessel is assembled such that the membrane is recessed into the hollow body;
the bottom surface of the shoulder is affixed to the hollow body about the opening of the hollow body when the pressure vessel is assembled; and
the hollow body and cap cooperate to contain compressed nitrogen within the hollow body when the pressure vessel is assembled.
2 . The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein:
the pressure vessel contains compressed nitrogen when assembled.
3 . The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein:
the hole through the shoulder is generally circular;
the central opening is generally circular;
the shoulder is generally circular; and
the membrane is generally circular.
4 . The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein:
the hollow body comprises a generally cylindrical main body extending longitudinally;
the hollow body comprises a neck extending from the main body to the opening, said neck having a smaller diameter than the main body; and
the neck has threads thereon.
5 . The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein:
the central opening in the sidewall has a diameter equal to a dimeter of the hole in the shoulder.
6 . The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein:
the membrane is longitudinally thinner than the shoulder; and
the membrane is longitudinally thinner than the sidewall is radially.