CPC F17C 1/16 (2013.01) [F17C 2201/0104 (2013.01); F17C 2201/056 (2013.01); F17C 2203/0604 (2013.01); F17C 2203/0631 (2013.01); F17C 2203/0636 (2013.01); F17C 2203/066 (2013.01); F17C 2203/0663 (2013.01); F17C 2203/0673 (2013.01); F17C 2205/0305 (2013.01); F17C 2221/014 (2013.01); F17C 2221/017 (2013.01); F17C 2221/033 (2013.01); F17C 2221/035 (2013.01); F17C 2270/0168 (2013.01)] | 22 Claims |
1. A pressure vessel for containing liquids and/or gases under pressure, said pressure vessel comprising:
a polymeric liner comprising a hollow body defined by an elongated cylindrical wall having an outer surface extending between a first terminal end and a second terminal end of said liner;
a breather layer surrounding said outer surface of said cylindrical wall and extending between said first terminal end and said second terminal end of said liner, said breather layer being gas permeable and impermeable to liquids, said breather layer providing a flow passageway for gas permeating through said cylindrical wall collected by said breather layer; and
an outer composite shell comprising resin and fibers of a first fiber type, said outer composite shell surrounding an outer periphery of said breather layer and extending between said first terminal end and said second terminal end of said liner;
said liner including an inlet opening near said first terminal end of said liner;
said pressure vessel including a stem and a ferrule;
said stem having a cylindrical boss extending in a longitudinal direction and configured to be inserted into said inlet opening of said liner, said stem including a mounting ridge projecting from said cylindrical boss and extending circumferentially around an outer periphery of said stem;
said stem being inserted into said inlet opening of said liner such that said inlet opening of said liner circumferentially surrounds said cylindrical boss adjacent said mounting ridge; and
said ferrule fixedly coupling said mounting ridge to said outer composite shell;
wherein said gas permeating through said cylindrical wall collected by said breather layer is directed to a predetermined exit location on said pressure vessel.
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