Abstract: A method of making hollow, fiber-reinforced resin articles having a resin-rich interior coating is disclosed. The interior coating provides a chemically resistant surface and inhibits wicking of fluids through the sidewall of the tank which tends to degrade the resin. The coating is formed by positioning a hollow lay-up of loosely felted reinforcing fibers against the inner surface of a rigid mold having a cylindrical wall portion and domed end portions. A polyester fiber surfacing fabric is placed against the inner surface of the lay-up. The surfacing fabric and lay-up are compressed against the mold wall by a pressurized inflatable core to hold the fabric and lay-up in place. A metered amount of a thermosetting resin is injected into the mold, and the pressure of the inflatable core is increased to compress the lay-up, to evenly distribute the resin throughout the lay-up, and to form a resin-rich coating with said surfacing fabric.

Abstract: A method of making hollow, fiber-reinforced resin articles having a resin-rich interior coating is disclosed. The interior coating provides a chemically resistant surface and inhibits wicking of fluids through the sidewall of the tank which tends to degrade the resin. The coating is formed by positioning a hollow lay-up of loosely felted reinforcing fibers against the inner surface of a rigid mold having a cylindrical wall portion and domed end portions. A polyester fiber surfacing fabric is placed against the inner surface of the lay-up. The surfacing fabric and lay-up are compressed against the mold wall by a pressurized inflatable core to hold the fabric and lay-up in place. A metered amount of a thermosetting resin is injected into the mold, and the pressure of the inflatable core is increased to compress the lay-up, to evenly distribute the resin throughout the lay-up, and to form a resin-rich coating with said surfacing fabric.

Abstract: A tank closure assembly adapted to releasably couple tank sections formed by transversely splitting an integral bag-molded fiber-reinforced tank. The assembly includes external circumferential flanges secured to the tank sections adjacent their severed faces and in opposed relation to each other. An O-ring seal, disposed externally of the tank sections and between the flanges, is compressed into sealing engagement with surrounding surfaces, by tightening of a circumferential band encircling the flanges, to seal the tank sections at their plane of separation. A method of machining a tank to simultaneously form the split sections and suitable flange receiving grooves thereon is disclosed, as well as a method of pressure-testing the machined tank sections prior to assembly of the flanges and O-ring seal.

Abstract: A tank closure assembly adapted to releasably couple tank sections formed by transversely splitting an integral bag-molded fiber-reinforced tank. According to one aspect of the invention, the assembly includes external circumferential flanges secured to the tank sections adjacent their severed faces and in opposed relation to each other. An O-ring seal, disposed externally of the tank sections and between the flanges, is compressed into sealing engagement with surrounding surfaces, by tightening of a circumferential band encircling the flanges, to seal the tank sections at their plane of separation. According to another aspect of the invention, the assembly includes a unitary clamping band having hooked ends which engage grooves adjacent the severed faces of the tank sections and the clamping band retains a pair of O-rings which seal the tank at their plane of separation.

Abstract: A pressurizing tank for a liquid dispensing system is disclosed. The system includes a pressure withstanding vessel having openings at both ends with a strainer fitting fixed in one of the openings. A flexible, inflatable, gas-tight bag is provided in the vessel and has an inflating valve at one end thereof which is fixed in the other opening in the vessel. The other end of the bag is fixed to the strainer fitting.

Abstract: A tank closure assembly adapted to releasably couple tank sections formed by transversely splitting an integral bag-molded fiber-reinforced tank. The assembly includes external circumferential flanges secured to the tank sections adjacent their severed faces and in opposed relation to each other. An O-ring seal, disposed externally of the tank sections and between the flanges, is compressed into sealing engagement with surrounding surfaces, by tightening of a circumferential band encircling the flanges, to seal the tank sections at their plane of separation. A method of machining a tank to simultaneously form the split sections and suitable flange receiving grooves thereon is disclosed, as well as a method of pressure-testing the machined tank sections prior to assembly of the flanges and O-ring seal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a fiber preform for use in molding fiber-reinforced, plastic articles is disclosed. The apparatus includes a perforated form which is rotated about its longitudinal axis while a vacuum is applied internally. Cutters deposit short lengths of fibers on the rotating form by traversing the form from one end to another, and a binder resin is sprayed onto the fibers as they are deposited. The form is cylindrical and at least a major portion of its sidewall is initially covered with a flexible bellows. As the cutters traverse the form, the bellows is collapsed ahead of the cutters to incrementally expose the perforations. An oven is provided to cure the resin while the preform remains on the form.

Abstract: A machine and method for detecting and identifying the approximate location of air leak-causing defects in flat, thin rubber stock used to manufacture inflatable, expandable bags. The detection of air leak-causing defects is accomplished by continuously moving at a relatively constant rate the flat rubber stock to be tested between two cylindrical rollers. These two rollers are maintained at a voltage which will fluctuate in response to any air leak-causing defect passing between them. The machine disclosed is composed of a frame to which is mounted a feed spool and a take-up spool, numerous supports and guides, a set of two test rollers, a dielectric analyzer, and a marker which punches the edge of the rubber stock adjacent to the in-line location of a detected defect. The disclosed machine and method enable detection of small pin-hole sized defects often undetectable to the naked eye.

Abstract: Hollow, reinforced plastic articles are molded in a closed molding chamber by employing an internal expandable bag to define the inside surface of the article to be molded. A nonstretchable sleeve surrounds at least a portion of the bag so that, when the bag is inflated during the molding operation, the sleeve accurately establishes the wall thickness of the article to be molded.