System and method for a conformable pressure vessel
A vessel for storing fluid, the vessel including a liner having a liner body that defines: a liner cavity; a plurality of flexible connector portions that include a corrugated length that provides for flexibility of the respective connector portions, the connector portions having a first maximum diameter; a plurality of elongated tubing portions between the respective flexible connector portions, the elongated tubing portions having a second minimum diameter that is larger than the first maximum diameter of the flexible connector portions; and a plurality of taper portions coupling adjoining flexible connector portions and tubing portions configured to provide a transition between a smaller diameter of the connector portion and a larger diameter of the tubing portion.
1. A pressure vessel for storing pressurized fluid, the pressure vessel comprising:
an elongated polymer liner having a liner body that defines:
a liner cavity;
a plurality of flexible connector portions that include a central corrugated length that provides for flexibility of the respective connector portions and rigid elongated non-corrugated ends on opposing sides of the central corrugated length, the connector portions having a first maximum diameter defined by the rigid elongated non-corrugated ends and corrugation ridges of the corrugated length;
a plurality of elongated rigid tubing portions between the respective flexible connector portions, the elongated tubing portions having a second minimum diameter that is larger than the first maximum diameter of the flexible connector portions;
a plurality of taper portions coupling adjoining the rigid elongated non-corrugated ends of the flexible connector portions and rigid tubing portions configured to that provide a gradual taper transition between a smaller diameter of the rigid elongated non-corrugated ends of the connector portion and a larger diameter of the tubing portion; and
a first and second end;
a rigid resinated braid that contiguously covers the flexible connector portions, the rigid tubing portions, and the taper portions; and
a first and second end-coupling respectively coupled at the first and second end configured to provide for pressurized fluid entering and leaving the cavity.
2. The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein the elongated polymer liner is configured to assume a straight configuration with the flexible connector portions, the rigid tubing portions, and the taper portions aligned along a common axis; and
wherein the liner is configured to assume a folded configuration with the rigid tubing portions disposed along separate and parallel axes, with a plurality of the flexible connector portions being bent in a C-shape.
3. The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein the liner body comprises a plurality of layers that comprise a different polymer material.
4. The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein the first and second ends are respectively defined by flexible connector portions; and
wherein the first and second end-coupling respectively comprise a crimp fitting that surrounds and is coupled about an elongated corrugated portion of the respective flexible connector portions that respectively define the first and second ends.
5. A vessel for storing fluid, the vessel comprising:
a liner having a liner body that defines:
a liner cavity;
a plurality of flexible connector portions that include a corrugated length that provides for flexibility of the respective connector portions, with the corrugated length being centrally located between rigid elongated non-corrugated ends on opposing sides of the centrally located corrugated length, the connector portions having a first maximum diameter;
a plurality of elongated tubing portions between the respective flexible connector portions, the elongated tubing portions having a second minimum diameter that is larger than the first maximum diameter of the flexible connector portions;
a plurality of taper portions coupling adjoining flexible connector portions and tubing portions configured to that provide a gradual taper transition between a smaller diameter of the connector portion and a larger diameter of the tubing portion; and
a first and second end.
6. The vessel of claim 5 , further comprising a braid that covers the flexible connector portions, the tubing portions, and the taper portions, and at least a portion of the braid being disposed in a rigid resin.
7. The vessel of claim 5 , further comprising a first and second end-coupling respectively coupled at a respective flexible connector defining the first and second end, the first and second end-coupling configured to provide for fluid entering and leaving the cavity.
8. The vessel of claim 5 , wherein the liner is configured to store compressed natural gas within the liner cavity.
9. The vessel of claim 5 , wherein the liner is configured to store hydrogen within the liner cavity.
10. The vessel of claim 5 , wherein the liner body comprises a plurality of separate layers defined respectively by a different first and second polymer material.
11. The vessel of claim 10 , wherein the different first and second polymer material respectively consist essentially of comprise one of nylon, ethylene vinyl alcohol and polyethylene.
12. The vessel of claim 5 , wherein the liner is configured to assume a straight configuration with the flexible connector portions, the tubing portions, and the taper portions aligned along a common axis; and
wherein the liner is configured to assume a folded configuration with the tubing portions disposed along separate and parallel axes, with a plurality of the flexible connector portions being bent at the corrugated lengths.
13. The vessel of claim 5 , wherein the tubing portions comprise a corrugated portion.