Abstract: A method for molding a composite pressure vessel liner to secure a boss to the liner is described. The method comprises providing a moldable liner having an end section with a neck and a port. A boss is positioned around the neck of the liner and the liner is heated and pressure is applied to mold the liner to form to the shape of the boss. The angle of the molded liner secures the boss in place around the liner and it is able to withstand high pressures. A tool for molding the liner and a method for using the tool is also described. The tool comprises a tool body and a pipe having external threads. The tool body abuts the liner and the boss. Winding the pipe exerts pressure on the liner, which when heated, forces the liner to mold to the shape of the boss.

Abstract: The invention herein relates to a flywheel capable of high speed rotational operation in excess of 15,000 rpm, the flywheel comprising a composite rotor having a polymeric matrix in which are embedded fibers helically wound at an initial angle with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotor of from about 50° to about 80° and increasing in a stepwise or continuous manner to about 90°.

Abstract: A reinforced armor (200) and a process for reinforcing an armor by composite layering are provided. The reinforced armor (200) includes a core structure having a strike face and a back face, a first composite fiber laminate (220) having a plurality of composite fiber plies, bonded to the strike face of the core structure, and a second composite fiber laminate (225) having a plurality of composite fiber plies, bonded to the back face of the core structure. The process for reinforcing the armor includes creating the first and second composite fiber laminates from a plurality of plies of fibrous material impregnated with a resin matrix, and bonding the first and second composite fiber laminate to both the strike face and the back face. Advantageously, the reinforced armor (200) is capable of providing protection against hazards while having a light weight compared with a rigid armor such as steel or ceramic.

Abstract: A method for molding a composite pressure vessel liner to secure a boss to the liner is described. The method comprises providing a moldable liner having an end section with a neck and a port. A boss is positioned around the neck of the liner and the liner is heated and pressure is applied to mold the liner to form to the shape of the boss. The angle of the molded liner secures the boss in place around the liner and it is able to withstand high pressures. A tool for molding the liner and a method for using the tool is also described. The tool comprises a tool body and a pipe having external threads. The tool body abuts the liner and the boss. Winding the pipe exerts pressure on the liner, which when heated, forces the liner to mold to the shape of the boss.

Abstract: Tensioned gun barrel liners, and methods and apparatus for tensioning gun barrel liners are disclosed. Tensioned gun barrels have been shown to have superior performance. The apparatus allows for axial strain to be imparted into the gun barrel using mechanical means while other embodiments utilize thermal expansion of the material such as metal that is used for the gun barrel liner to introduce the strain and maintain it using other mechanical means or applied material such as composites.

Abstract: A method for molding a composite pressure vessel liner to secure a boss to the liner is described. The method comprises providing a moldable liner having an end section with a neck and a port. A boss is positioned around the neck of the liner and the liner is heated and pressure is applied to mold the liner to form to the shape of the boss. The angle of the molded liner secures the boss in place around the liner and it is able to withstand high pressures. A tool for molding the liner and a method for using the tool is also described. The tool comprises a tool body and a pipe having external threads. The tool body abuts the liner and the boss. Winding the pipe exerts pressure on the liner, which when heated, forces the liner to mold to the shape of the boss.

Abstract: This invention relates to a flywheel and method of manufacture thereof wherein the flywheel is capable of operation at very high rotational speed without precise balancing.

Abstract: A method of incremental autofrettage is taught herein, whereby the cycle life of a metal liner in a pressure vessel is increased. This method serves to increase the yield strength of the metal liner through sequential work hardening due to repeated autofrettage at increasing pressures. By incrementally increasing the internal pressure used in the autofrettage process, the compressive stresses at an inner surface of the metal liner may be controlled so that post-pressurization buckling does not occur, yet the yield strength of the metal liner is substantially increased. The higher compressive stresses in the metal liner mean that higher Maximum Expected Operating Pressures (MEOPs) may be used without detracting from the cycle life of the metal liner, or alternatively, for lower pressures, a longer metal liner cycle life may be obtained. Either internal or external pressures may be used, generated by a pressure source, or a suitable die.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is directed to a device for converting kinetic energy generated by a living organism in motion to electrical energy.

Abstract: A method of incremental autofrettage is taught herein, whereby the cycle life of a metal liner in a pressure vessel is increased. This method serves to increase the yield strength of the metal liner through sequential work hardening due to repeated autofrettage at increasing pressures. By incrementally increasing the internal pressure used in the autofrettage process, the compressive stresses at an inner surface of the metal liner may be controlled so that post-pressurization buckling does not occur, yet the yield strength of the metal liner is substantially increased. The higher compressive stresses in the metal liner mean that higher Maximum Expected Operating Pressures (MEOPs) may be used without detracting from the cycle life of the metal liner, or alternatively, for lower pressures, a longer metal liner cycle life may be obtained. Either internal or external pressures may be used, generated by a pressure source, or a suitable die.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is directed to a device for converting kinetic energy generated by a living organism in motion to electrical energy.

Abstract: A transport tank for mounting to a truck has a composite tank body, an outer boss mounted to an outer side of the tank body, an inner boss mounted to an inner side f the tank body, and a flange disposed such that at least a portion of the inner boss is disposed between and abuts the inner side of the tank body and the flange. The tank body, the inner boss, the outer boss and the flange each have an aperture defined therein. The flange is fastened such that the outer boss, the tank body, and the inner boss are compressed by the flange.

Abstract: This invention is directed to composite pressure vessels for the storage and transport of natural gas at low pressure using absorbent technology. The pressure vessel comprises a polymeric liner that defines an interior vessel volume, a polymeric composite outer shell that substantially completely encloses the polymeric liner; an absorbent that substantially fills the interior vessel volume; and a port that connects the interior vessel volume with the external environment.

Abstract: A transport tank for mounting to a truck has a composite tank body, an outer boss mounted to an outer side of the tank body, an inner boss mounted to an inner side f the tank body, and a flange disposed such that at least a portion of the inner boss is disposed between and abuts the inner side of the tank body and the flange. The tank body, the inner boss, the outer boss and the flange each have an aperture defined therein. The flange is fastened such that the outer boss, the tank body, and the inner boss are compressed by the flange.

Abstract: This invention is directed to pressure vessels in which the strength necessary to withstand the pressure exerted by a contained fluid under intended operating pressures is provided by a dry filamentous over-wrap.

Abstract: This invention relates to dicyclopentadiene polymer liners for systems used for the transport of fluids, in particular corrosive fluids and pressurized fluids such as compressed raw natural gas.

Abstract: A lined transport tank for mounting to a truck is provided. The tank has a lined tank body. The tank body has an inner surface. A baffle is removably connected to the inner surface of the tank body. A retaining system is removably connecting the baffle to the inner surface of the tank body. The retaining system has a pair of elongated members fixedly connected to the inner surface of the tank body. The pair of elongated members is restraining movement of the baffle in a first direction. A retainer is connected to the pair of elongated members. The retainer is restraining movement of the baffle in a second direction. The second direction is different from the first direction. A retaining system for removably connecting an element to a surface is also provided.

Abstract: A transport tank for mounting to a truck has a composite tank body, an outer boss mounted to an outer side of the tank body, an inner boss mounted to an inner side f the tank body, and a flange disposed such that at least a portion of the inner boss is disposed between and abuts the inner side of the tank body and the flange. The tank body, the inner boss, the outer boss and the flange each have an aperture defined therein. The flange is fastened such that the outer boss, the tank body, and the inner boss are compressed by the flange.

Abstract: This invention relates to a prepolymer formulation comprising dicyclopentadiene that is at least 92% pure wherein the prepolymer formulation is flowable at ambient temperatures by virtue of the addition of a reactive ethylene monomer to the formulation.

Abstract: A transport tank assembly for mounting to a truck has a composite tank body having an inner side and an outer side, and at least one cradle assembly connected to the outer side of the tank body. Each cradle assembly has a cradle having an inner side and an outer side, and at least one band of composite material disposed over the outer side of the cradle and at least a portion of the outer side of the tank. A length of the band of composite material is greater than a length of the cradle. The band of composite material connects the cradle to the tank body. The cradle and the at least one band in a generally lateral direction of the tank body.