Abstract: A compressed gas storage tank comprises a multi-layer sheet metal sandwich structure with a predetermined pattern of solid state diffusion bonds between all the neighburing layers. After the sheets have been solid state diffusion bonded together in the flat condition, the tank is blow formed between dies under superplastic forming conditions to produce at least one superplastically expanded core layer for containing the compressed gas. The configuration of the core layer is determined by the diffusion bond pattern. The expanded core layer provided internal bracing for the tank to give in rigidity and enable it to withstand the high internal pressures.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 29, 1992
Date of Patent:
June 28, 1994
Assignees:
Rolls-Royce plc, Rolls-Royce and Associated Ltd.
Inventors:
Colin I. Adderley, John O. Fowler, Simon A. Banks, James E. Boardman