SUPER ROBUST AND ULTRA-LIGHT PRESSURE VESSELS USING NEW TECHNOLOGY

Michael A. Olson
HyPerComp Engineering, Inc.,
Brigham City, UT 84302

Abstract

Super Pressure Vessels--Lightweight Robust Pressure Vessels Through New Technology. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the effectiveness and advantages of using the new super robust composite pressure vessel technology developed jointly by NASA and HyPerComp Engineering, Inc. Using proprietary design and process techniques in conjunction with special hybrid technology, very high strength carbon fibers are combined with the high-strain-to-failure Zylon made by Toyobo Inc. This results in a pressure vessel that is much less prone to impact damage, enabling production of an ultra-light, extreme robust pressure vessel. This paper will discuss the significance of this new technology and its potential applications and benefits. Testing of the new technology has been conducted on a 6.8-liter pressure vessel. The new technology has demonstrated increased damage resistance as verified by the stringent .30 caliber armor-piercing gunfire test as well as impact drop testing. The significance of this new technology is that safer, lighter-weight cylinders can be produced. This technology enables filament wound pressure vessels to be used in applications where lightweight pressure vessels are desired and robustness is critical.

KEY WORDS: Pressure Vessels, Hybrids, Applications-Compressed Gases

Copyright 2004 by HyPerComp Engineering, Inc. Published by Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering with permission.

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