US 12,253,212 B2
Support structure for manufacturing a pressure vessel
Andrew Sadler, Barrow-in-Furness (GB); Alan Phizacklea, Barrow-in-Furness (GB); Anthony Craig Robinson, Barrow-in-Furness (GB); James William Spain, Barrow-in-Furness (GB); and Adam William Rawlinson, Barrow-in-Furness (GB)
Assigned to BAE SYSTEMS PLC, London (GB)
Filed by BAE SYSTEMS plc, London (GB)
Filed on Mar. 22, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/613,462.
Application 18/613,462 is a division of application No. 18/004,518, granted, now 11,953,151, previously published as PCT/GB2021/051607, filed on Jun. 24, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 2010331 (GB), filed on Jul. 6, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0318779 A1, Sep. 26, 2024
Int. Cl. F17C 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC F17C 1/00 (2013.01) [F17C 2201/0104 (2013.01); F17C 2209/221 (2013.01); F17C 2209/228 (2013.01); F17C 2209/232 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A support structure for manufacturing a pressure vessel, the support structure configured to be carried on a supporting substrate, the support structure comprising:
a first segment support structure nestable within, and moveable relative to, a second segment support structure;
wherein the first segment support structure is configured to be raised and lowered relative to the second segment support structure to raise and lower the first segment support structure relative to the substrate;
wherein the first segment support structure is configured to move in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the pressure vessel between a nested position within side walls of the second segment support structure to a position spaced apart from the second segment support structure across a surface of the substrate; and
wherein the pressure vessel is a submarine, and
wherein the first segment support structure is supported by the second segment support structure while the first segment support structure is in the nested position within the side walls of the second segment support structure.