Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for rotationally casting a plastic liner for a pressure vessel having a metal access fitting molded therein. The apparatus includes a rotational casting arm having a mold supporting surface and adapted to be rotated about orthogonal axes. A hollow mold having a mold cavity surface conforming to the outside surface of the liner to be molded is removably attached to the mold supporting surface together with a metal access fitting. The metal access fitting has a longitudinal axis aligned with one of the orthogonal axes and has at least a first surface portion extending into the mold cavity. The first surface portion and the surface of the mold cavity are coated with plastic upon mold rotation to form the plastic liner.

Abstract: An accumulator tank for pressurizing and supplying liquid to a system comprises a pressure vessel having a wall defining a closed pressure chamber. The pressure vessel is provided with an internal flexible air cell which divides the pressure chamber into first and second variable volume compartments containing pressurized air and water, respectively. Perforated conduits are provided in the second compartment in fluid communication with a port, and extend between the wall of the pressure vessel and the flexible air cell. The perforated conduits provide fluid communication between the port and portions of the second compartment when the air cell seals against the wall to otherwise isolate those portions of the second compartment in fluid communication with the perforated conduits.

Abstract: A filament-wound plastic pressure vessel and technique for fabricating such vessel are disclosed. The pressure vessel includes a monolithic plastic liner having a cylindrical side wall portion and domed end portions. A multiplicity of resin-impregnated reinforcing filaments are wound about at least the cylindrical side wall portion of the liner in a predetermined winding pattern. A non-axial access opening to the interior of the tank is cut through the liner and through the filaments, resulting in discontinuous filament ends at the periphery of the opening. A reinforcement is provided for the filament ends to redistribute stress transmission paths around the opening. The reinforcement includes at least one randomly oriented fibrous mat pad sandwiched between a pair of woven cloth pads having a basket weave configuration.

Abstract: A split tank closure and diaphragm assembly for a hydropneumatic filament wound pressure vessel is disclosed. The assembly includes first and second cup shaped plastic tank liners having oblate ellipsoidal end portions and cylindrical sidewall portions terminating in cylindrical open mouth portions. A ring is provided for joining and sealing the open mouth portions together to form a sealed container and to mount a diaphragm within the tank to divide the interior of the tank into variable volume chambers. The ring has a cylindrical outer surface corresponding to the outside diameter of the cylindrical sidewall portions of the liners. The liners form a dovetail joint with the ring and respectively trap an O-ring and a bulbous portion of the diaphragm between recessed portions of the liner and a surface of the ring to seal the interior of the tank. The assembly is wound with a resin impregnated continuous roving to reinforce the tank and resist internal pressures.