Abstract: A pressure vessel includes a composite wall and a boss. The composite wall includes an outer shell, an inner liner disposed within the outer shell, and a port in the wall through which fluid may be communicated between an exterior of the pressure vessel and an interior of the pressure vessel. The boss is disposed at the port. The boss includes a neck projecting interiorly into the pressure vessel and a flange extending radially outward from the neck. The liner contacts the flange and does not contact at least an interiorly extending portion of the neck.

Abstract: An assembly is configured for use in a system for forming filament windings on a vessel having a circumference and a length. The assembly includes an endless belt and first and second rollers. The endless belt is configured to wrap partially around the circumference of the vessel to contact and impart pressure on a filament winding disposed on an outside surface of the vessel. The endless belt moves around the first and second rollers. A space is disposed between the first and second rollers to allow a filament wind eye of the system to move in a reciprocal motion along the length of the vessel. A method of using a machine for forming filament windings on a vessel having a circumference and a length is also described.

Abstract: A sensor mounting assembly is configured for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels. The assembly includes first and second elongated frame members, first and second rollers, and first and second sensors. The first sensor is attached to the first elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the first vessel upon actuation in a first direction. The second sensor is attached to the second elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the second vessel upon actuation in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. This disclosure also describes a method of mounting at least six sensors for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels, the vessel arrangement disposed in a container in a two-by-two stacked configuration having a central space.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor for monitoring a composite structure. The sensor includes multiple sensing elements of different sizes, each configured for different respective monitoring tasks. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating the sensor, designing and manufacturing the sensor, and attaching the sensor to the composite structure.

Abstract: A sensor mounting assembly is configured for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels. The assembly includes first and second elongated frame members, first and second rollers, and first and second sensors. The first sensor is attached to the first elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the first vessel upon actuation in a first direction. The second sensor is attached to the second elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the second vessel upon actuation in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. This disclosure also describes a method of mounting at least six sensors for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels, the vessel arrangement disposed in a container in a two-by-two stacked configuration having a central space.

Abstract: A pressure vessel assembly incudes a pressure vessel and a gas density gauge. The pressure vessel includes a vessel wall defining an interior cavity. The gas density gauge includes a parallel plate capacitor having a pair of plates. Opposing surfaces of the plates are separated by a distance across an open gap. A capacitance of the capacitor is related to a density of a gas within the open gap.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor for monitoring a composite structure. The sensor includes multiple sensing elements of different sizes, each configured for different respective monitoring tasks. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating the sensor, designing and manufacturing the sensor, and attaching the sensor to the composite structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for monitoring a boss of a composite structure for a boss cracking event. The system includes a first sensor located on an outer surface of a neck of the boss and configured to detect first deformation data associated with the boss. The system also includes a second sensor located on the outer surface of the neck of the boss at a location diametrically opposite of the first sensor and configured to detect second deformation data associated with the boss. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor and configured to determine, based on the first deformation data and the second deformation data, whether a boss cracking event has occurred.

Abstract: A mount is configured for attachment to a neck of a pressure vessel that has a body having a height and width. The mount includes a central plate, and first and second flanges. The central plate has a height and width, both of which are approximately equal to or less than the respective height and width of the pressure vessel body, and an aperture. The first and second flanges are located at opposed first and second sides of the central plate, respectively, are oriented substantially perpendicular to the central plate, and are configured to extend toward the body. The central plate has a cut-out portion that borders at least one of the first and second flanges.

Abstract: A sensor mounting assembly is configured for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels. The assembly includes first and second elongated frame members, first and second rollers, and first and second sensors. The first sensor is attached to the first elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the first vessel upon actuation in a first direction. The second sensor is attached to the second elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the second vessel upon actuation in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. This disclosure also describes a method of mounting at least six sensors for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels, the vessel arrangement disposed in a container in a two-by-two stacked configuration having a central space.

Abstract: A pressure indicator includes a body, a piston, first and second biasing elements, and a rotatable disc. The piston is disposed at least partially in a bore of the body at a first longitudinal axial position relative to the body when pressure of fluid acting on the base is below a threshold pressure. The first biasing element is disposed between a base of the piston and a shoulder of the body, wherein a force of the first biasing element is overcome by pressure of fluid acting on the base at or above the threshold pressure, thereby allowing the piston to move to a second longitudinal axial position. The rotatable disc has a first rotational position when the piston is in the first axial position. The second biasing element is configured to urge the disc to a second rotational position when the piston is in the second axial position.

Abstract: A boss configured for attachment to a pressure vessel includes a first bore therein and a bearing disposed at least partially within the first bore. A system for supporting a pressure vessel on a vessel mount includes a boss, a bearing, and an attachment element. The boss is attached to the pressure vessel and has a first bore therein. The bearing is disposed at least partially within the first bore and has a second bore therethrough. The attachment element is configured to be affixed to the vessel mount, wherein a portion of the attachment element extends through the second bore and is slidable within the first and second bores substantially along a longitudinal axis of the pressure vessel. A method is described for supporting a pressure vessel on a vessel mount.

Abstract: A boss includes a neck and a flange that extends radially outward from the neck. The neck includes a bore therethrough with a longitudinal axis. The flange includes an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a peripheral surface at a farthest extent from the longitudinal axis. The peripheral surface connects the interior surface and the exterior surface and includes, along any radius of the boss, a first circumferential ridge and a second circumferential ridge, wherein the first circumferential ridge is located closer to the exterior surface than the second circumferential ridge. In another aspect, a pressure vessel includes a boss and a liner. In yet another aspect, a method of assembling a pressure vessel is described, which includes inserting the boss through the aperture of the liner and connecting the boss and liner so that the peripheral surface of the boss mates with the perimeter surface of the liner.

Abstract: A system and method of predicting impending failure of a pressure vessel include a pressure vessel, a fluid source, a line coupled to the pressure vessel and to the fluid source, an apparatus, a sensor and a controller. The apparatus includes a conduit and a containment structure. The containment structure includes a cavity separated from an interior of the conduit by a portion of a conduit wall of the conduit. The sensor is configured to determine a value of a physical property in the cavity. The controller is in signal communication with the sensor and configured to detect a change in the value. The method includes determining a first value of a physical property in the cavity, experiencing a failure of the conduit wall, determining a second value of the physical property in the cavity, and detecting a difference between the first and second values.

Abstract: A boss assembly for a pressure vessel includes a boss, a fitting, a first seal and a second seal. The boss includes a bore with an inner surface and a first stop feature. The fitting is configured for at least partial insertion into the boss to prevent fluid communication between an interior and an exterior of the pressure vessel, the fitting including an outer surface and a second stop feature. Each of the first and second seals is positioned along the outer surface. The fitting is movable between first and second positions. In the first position, the first seal is sealingly engaged between the inner and outer surfaces and the second seal is not sealingly engaged therebetween. In the second position, the first seal is not sealingly engaged between the inner and outer surfaces, the second seal is sealingly engaged, and the first and second stop features mutually contact.

Abstract: A system includes a first valve fluidly connected to a first vessel and a second valve fluidly connected to a second vessel. The first valve includes a body and a piston. The body includes first and second ports and a bore having a longitudinal axis. The first port is in communication with the bore and an interior of the first vessel. The second port is in communication with the bore, the second valve, and an atmosphere exterior to the first vessel. The piston is movable along the longitudinal axis of the bore. A first position of the piston blocks the first port; a second position of the piston allows fluid communication between the first and second ports. The first valve is configured so that fluid pressure from the second valve, communicating through the second port, urges the piston to the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to be positioned between a boss and a shell of a pressure vessel. The boss includes a bore therethrough, and the bore has a longitudinal axis. The apparatus includes an annular body and a gas permeable feature. The annular body includes an inner surface configured to abut the boss and an outer surface configured to abut the shell. The annular body has opposite first and second ends relative to the longitudinal axis. The gas permeable feature is provided on the inner surface and extends at least from the first end to the second end. The disclosure also describes a pressure vessel including a shell, and boss, and an apparatus positioned between the boss and the shell. A method for forming a pressure vessel includes mounting a boss on a mandrel, positioning an annular fitting about a neck of the boss, forming a liner, and forming an outer shell.

Abstract: A pressure vessel has an interior chamber and includes an outer shell, a boss, and an internal liner disposed within the outer shell. The boss includes a port extending between the interior chamber and an exterior of the pressure vessel; and an annular flange extending radially from the port and having an exterior surface and an interior surface. The liner includes an exterior portion adjacent the exterior surface of the flange; an interior portion adjacent the interior surface of the flange; and a vent in the interior portion. A method for forming a pressure vessel includes mounting a boss on a mandrel, flowing a non-metallic polymer around a flange of the boss to form an internal liner of the pressure vessel, forming a vent in an interior portion of the liner; and forming an outer shell surrounding the liner and at least a portion of the flange of the boss.

Abstract: In assembly of a pressure vessel and mount, the pressure vessel has a diameter and a length and includes a substantially cylindrical body and a boss neck. The substantially cylindrical body has a domed end and tapers from a portion having the diameter to the boss neck at the domed end. The mount includes a central plate and first and second flanges. The central plate has an aperture therethrough configured to accept a portion of the boss neck. The first and second flanges are located at opposed first and second sides of the central plate, respectively, and are configured to extend toward the body. The assembly occupies no more than a rectangular prism space defined by the length, a width equal to the diameter, and a height equal to the diameter of the substantially cylindrical body.

Abstract: A system includes a source of pressurized fluid, a primary pressure vessel disposed in fluid communication with the source, and a supplemental pressure vessel disposed in fluid communication with the source and in fluid communication with the primary pressure vessel. The primary pressure vessel has a first life expectancy duration and includes a first structural characteristic. The supplemental pressure vessel has a second life expectancy duration shorter than the first life expectancy duration and includes a second structural characteristic. A method uses a supplemental pressure vessel to predict impending failure of a primary pressure vessel. The method includes connecting a primary pressure vessel to a source of pressurized fluid, fluidly connecting a supplemental pressure vessel with the source and with the primary pressure vessel, and exposing the supplemental pressure vessel to a first fatigue load to cause its failure before failure of the primary pressure vessel occurs.