Non-rigid inflatable gas storage apparatus
A non-rigid inflatable gas storage apparatus comprising a plurality of layers of which one is gas impermeable and at least one controllable gas inlet and outlet component wherein the apparatus is substantially spherical when inflated and has a diameter of approximately 10 ft to 40 ft and can store gas at a range of pressure between 140 psi and 500 psi.
The apparatus of the present invention is for inflatable spherical containers used to hold gas, particular gas under pressure.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTIONThere is a need for a lightweight, collapsible storage device that can be used to collect compressed gas, store the gas and tow it over the water surface to a collection point.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTIONThe invention pertains to a non-rigid inflatable gas storage apparatus preferably comprising a plurality of gas impermeable layers. In one embodiment, there are at least two layers comprising uniform aligned fibers and the separate layers are oriented in different directions. The apparatus also includes at least one controllable gas inlet and outlet component, and the apparatus is substantially spherical when inflated and, in one embodiment, has a diameter of approximately 10 ft to 40 ft. The apparatus may hold gas within a range of 140 psi to 500 psi. The apparatus is attachable to a gas outlet component of a gas compression system. The gas compression system may be located on the ocean surface utilizing compressors powered by wave motion. The filled gas storage apparatus can be towed across the ocean surface to the shore or other collection point. Reference
This disclosure incorporates application Ser. No. 11/473,357 entitled Ocean Wave Energy Converter filed Jun. 22, 2006.
In one embodiment of the invention, the gas storage apparatus comprises a single layer formed in a spherical shape. The spherical shape is selected because it can hold the greatest volume within a given surface area. The walls of the apparatus may be substantially inelastic. Some elasticity may be advantageous as the gas volume changes with temperature. The wall may be fiber reinforced. The fiber reinforcement may be in a single helical pattern or may comprise a second counter wound helical pattern.
The apparatus may be comprised of rubber or preferably a lightweight gas impermeable material such as a polymer.
The apparatus also includes a gas inlet port. This port may be sealably closed. It may also serve as an outlet port for the gas. It will be appreciated that the gas will be stored in the apparatus at a positive pressure.
In another embodiment, the walls of the apparatus will comprise multiple layers. Again, the layers will be non-rigid and inflatable. When inflated, the apparatus will form a spherical shape, although other shapes are contemplated by the invention.
At least one of the layers may be fiber reinforced.
The apparatus may also contain a pressure relief valve.
The walls of the apparatus may contain line attachment points or components for towing lines.
In another embodiment, a second layer, similarly configured, can be utilized. However, it may be appreciated that the orientation of the segments can be altered by rotating the poles 90°. In this manner, the segment junctures of the separate wall layers do not align. This enhances the strength of the combined wall system of the apparatus.
In one embodiment, the individual wall segments may comprise a tongue and groove construction. This is illustrated in
In one embodiment, each segment contains a fiber reinforcement component wherein the fibers for each segment are aligned in a single direction. The joined segments, forming the spherical shape, comprise fiber reinforced segments with differing orientations. A second wall can be constructed over the first wall wherein the segment junctures are not contiguous to or do not align with the segment junctures of the first inner layer. It will be appreciated that the orientation of the fiber reinforcement of the second layer will differ from the first inner layer.
In another embodiment, there may be an inner gas impermeable layer protected and reinforced by one or more layers described in the proceeding paragraph.
The apparatus is not limited in size. In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the inflated apparatus is suggested to be between 10 ft and 40 ft in diameter. An apparatus of larger diameters may be difficult to tow due to wind resistance.
Claims
1. A non-rigid inflatable gas storage apparatus comprising a plurality of gas impermeable layers and at least one controllable gas inlet and outlet component wherein the apparatus is substantially spherical when inflated and has a diameter of approximately 10 ft to 40 ft and can store gas at a range of pressure between 140 psi and 500 psi.
2. The gas storage apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of gas impermeable layers wherein at least two layers comprise uniform aligned fibers wherein the separate fiber layers are oriented in different directions.
3. The gas storage apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one layer is comprised of separate sections bound together by stitching, adhesive, tape or fused bonding, or riveting.
4. The gas storage apparatus of claim 3 wherein the sections include elongated pieces with narrow or tapered ends and wide middle portions.
5. The gas storage apparatus of claim 3 wherein the sections include 5 sided segments and 6 sided segments.
6. A non-rigid inflatable gas storage apparatus comprising:
- a) a first layer comprising multiple segmented sections bound together by stitching, adhesive, tape or fused bonding; and
- b) a second layer comprising multiple segmented sections bound together by stitching, adhesive, tape or fused bonding wherein the wherein the bound segmented sections of the second layer are not contiguous with the bound segmented sections of the first layer.
7. A non-rigid inflatable gas storage apparatus comprising multiple segmented sections connected together with tongue and groove edges wherein at least one segment has a grooved component at its edge and at least one counterpart segment has a tongue component at its edge and the segments are riveted together.
8. The gas storage apparatus of claim 7 further comprising metal or polymer strips contiguous to a juncture of two segment edges.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 31, 2006
Publication Date: Mar 13, 2008
Inventor: Chris Olson (Houston, TX)
Application Number: 11/513,770
International Classification: B65D 30/00 (20060101); B65D 33/00 (20060101);