Granted Patent B2

US 8,733,382 · App. 11/622,518 · Granted May 27, 2014

Abstract

Claims (40)

1. A pressure vessel comprising:

an outer support layer having an inner surface;

a liner disposed adjacent to the inner surface of the outer support layer, an inner surface of the liner defining a closed cavity within the pressure vessel and

a first pressure relief device disposed in the outer support layer, the first pressure relief device having:

a main body with a chamber enveloping a chamber material, the chamber material filling the chamber, and

a diaphragm abutting the liner and disposed between the chamber and the cavity, the chamber material abutting the diaphragm and supporting the diaphragm against a pressure of the cavity,

wherein the diaphragm is adapted to rupture upon activation of the first pressure relief device and facilitate an evacuation of the chamber material and a compressed fuel from the cavity through the pressure relief device.

2. The pressure vessel of claim 1 , further comprising a composite wrap disposed between the outer support layer and the liner.

3. The pressure vessel of claim 1 , further comprising an adapter disposed at a first end of the pressure vessel and configured for charging the cavity with the compressed fuel, wherein the adapter includes a second pressure relief device.

4. The pressure vessel of claim 3 , wherein the main body is a boss disposed at a second end of the pressure vessel.

5. The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein the first pressure relief device activates at a temperature greater than about 120° C.

6. The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein the liner includes a polymeric material.

7. The pressure vessel of claim 6 , wherein the polymeric material is a thermoplastic.

8. The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm comprises a foil.

9. The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein the chamber material is substantially incompressible.

10. The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein the chamber material is a liquid.

11. The pressure vessel of claim 10 , wherein the chamber material is a wax.

12. The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein the chamber material is a solid having a melting temperature of less than about 120° C.

13. The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein the first pressure relief device is disposed in a boss, the boss contacting the outer support layer and the liner.

14. The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm includes a scored surface prior to activation of the first pressure relief device to control a rupture point upon activation of the first pressure relief device.

15. The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm has a profile that includes a portion with a lower thickness prior to activation of the first pressure relief device to control a rupture location or a shape of a rupture upon activation of the first pressure relief device.

16. The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm includes at least one of a scored surface and a profile that includes a portion with a lower thickness, wherein the at least one of a scored surface and the portion of the profile of the diaphragm with the lower thickness is located adjacent an interface of the diaphragm and the main body.

17. A pressure vessel comprising:

an outer support layer having an inner surface;

a composite wrap disposed adjacent to the inner surface;

a polymeric liner disposed adjacent to the composite wrap, an inner surface of the liner defining a closed cavity within the pressure vessel;

an adapter disposed at a first end of the pressure vessel and configured for charging the cavity with a compressed fuel, wherein the adapter includes a first pressure relief device;

a second pressure relief device disposed in the outer support layer, the second pressure relief device having:

a main body with a chamber enveloping a chamber material, the chamber material filling the chamber, and

a diaphragm abutting the liner and disposed between the chamber and the cavity, the chamber material abutting the diaphragm and supporting the diaphragm against a pressure of the cavity,

wherein the diaphragm is adapted to rupture upon activation of the second pressure relief device and facilitate an evacuation of the chamber material and a compressed fuel from the cavity through the second pressure relief device.

18. The pressure vessel of claim 17 , wherein the second pressure relief device is disposed at a second end of the pressure vessel.

19. The pressure vessel of claim 17 , wherein the composite wrap comprises a material selected from the group consisting of glass composites, plastic composites, carbon composites, and combinations thereof.

20. A fuel cell propulsion system comprising:

a fuel cell system having a fuel cell stack including a plurality of fuel cells, the fuel cell stack being configured to receive a compressed fuel from a pressure vessel;

the pressure vessel comprising: an outer support layer having an inner surface; a composite wrap disposed adjacent to the inner surface; a liner disposed adjacent to the fiber composite wrap, an inner surface of the liner defining a closed cavity within the pressure vessel; an adapter disposed at a first end of the pressure vessel and configured for filling the cavity formed by the liner with the compressed fuel, wherein the adaptor includes a first pressure relief device; and a second pressure relief device disposed at a second end of the pressure vessel and forming a passage through the outer support layer and the composite wrap,

the second pressure relief device having:

a main body with a chamber enveloping a chamber material, the chamber material filling the chamber, and

a diaphragm abutting the liner and disposed between the chamber and the cavity, the chamber material abutting the diaphragm and supporting the diaphragm against a pressure of the cavity,

wherein the diaphragm is adapted to rupture upon activation of the pressure relief device and facilitate an evacuation of the chamber material and a compressed fuel from the cavity through the pressure relief device.

Assignments (12)