Pressure vessel

Claim 2

A pressure vessel for containing a fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined level, comprising: an array of radially disposed segmented blocks for supporting said fluid; and means for supplying compressional axial and tangential support stresses to said array such that when said fluid is pressurized to said predetermined level the working stress across at least a portion of said array is a predetermined ratio of the fatigue stress of the material of which said blocks are made.

Claim 3

A pressure vessel according to claim 1 wherein said predetermined ratio is such that said working stress is substantially equal to the fatigue stress of the material of which said blocks are made.

Claim 4

A pressure vessel according to claim 1 wherein said predetermined ratio is such that said working stress is less than the fatigue stress of the material of which said segmented blocks are made.

Claim 5

A pressure vessel for containing a fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined level, comprising: an array of radially disposed segmented blocks for supporting said fluid; means for supplying compressional axial support stress to said array; and means for supplying compressional tangential support stress to said array, said applied support stresses being of predetermined values such that when said fluid is pressurized to said predetermined level, the working stress across said array does not exceed the fatigue stress of the material of which said blocks are made.

Claim 6

A pressure vessel for containing a fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined level, comprising: an array of radially disposed segmented blocks for supporting said fluid; means for supplying compressional axial support stress to said array; and means for supplying compressional tangential support stress to said array, said applied support stresses being of predetermined values such that when said fluid is pressurized to said predetermined level, the working stress across said array does not exceed the fatigue stress of the material of which said blocks are made.

Claim 7

A pressure vessel for containing a fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined operating level, comprising: an array of radially disposed segmented blocks for supporting said fluid and which experience working stress upon said fluid being pressurized to said predetermined operating level; means for applying compressional axial support stress to said array; and means for applying compressional tangential support stress to said array, said support stresses being of predetermined values for making said working stress across at least a portion of said array a predetermined ratio of the fatigue stress of the material of which said segmented blocks are made.

Claim 8

A pressure vessel for containing a fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined operating level, comprising: an array of radially disposed segmented blocks for supporting said fluid and which experience working stress upon said fluid being pressurized to said predetermined operating level; means for applying compressional axial support stress to said array; and means for applying compressional tangential support stress to said array, said support stresses being of predetermined values for making said working stress across at least a portion of said array a predetermined ratio of the fatigue stress of the material of which said segmented blocks are made.

Claim 9

A pressure vessel according to claim 5 wherein said predetermined ratio is substantially equal to the fatigue stress of the material of which said segmented blocks are made.

Claim 10

A pressure vessel according to claim 5 wherein said predetermined ratio is such that said working stress is less than the fatigue stress of the material of which said segmented blocks are made.

Claim 11

A pressure vessel according to claim 5 wherein said compressional axial support stress is provided by opposed pistons engageabLe with at least a portion of said array.

Claim 12

A pressure vessel according to claim 5 wherein said compressional tangential support stress is provided by a body of pressurized support fluid to be contained in an annular pressure chamber concentrically surrounding said array.

Claim 13

A pressure vessel according to claim 5 wherein said array is surrounded by a chamber for receiving a body of pressurized support fluid for providing said compressional tangential support stress.

Claim 14

In a pressure vessel including a central chamber for containing a body of operating fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined operating level Po , the improvement comprising: an array of radially disposed segmented blocks surrounding and supporting the chamber, said blocks experiencing working stress Sw upon said operating fluid being pressurized to said operating level Po ; and means for supplying compressional axial Sa and tangential St support stresses to said array such that when said operating fluid is pressurized to said predetermined operating level Po , the working stress Sw across at least a portion of said array is a predetermined ratio of the fatigue stress of the material of which said segmented blocks are made.

Claim 15

In a pressure vessel including a central chamber for containing a body of operating fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined operating level Po , the improvement comprising: an array of radially disposed segmented blocks surrounding and supporting the chamber, said blocks experiencing working stress Sw upon said operating fluid being pressurized to said operating level Po ; and means for supplying compressional axial Sa and tangential St support stresses to said array such that when said operating fluid is pressurized to said predetermined operating level Po , the working stress Sw across at least a portion of said array is a predetermined ratio of the fatigue stress of the material of which said segmented blocks are made.

Claim 16

In a pressure vessel the combination according to claim 11 wherein said compressional axial Sa and tangential St support stresses at the bore of said central chamber are substantially equal to the operating fluid pressure Po of said operating fluid minus the fatigue stress Sf of the material of which said segmented blocks are made.

Claim 17

In a pressure vessel the combination according to claim 11 wherein said compressional axial and tangential support stresses applied to said array are average compressional support stresses substantially equal to ((Dw-D1) (Po-Sw/2)).

Claim 18

A pressure vessel for containing a body of fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined level; comprising: a multiring assembly including a plurality of rings for supporting said fluid, said rings being provided with radial interferences such that when said fluid is pressurized to said predetermined level the working stress at each radius, except the outermost, is a predetermined ratio of the fatigue stress of the material of which the rings are made.

Claim 19

A pressure vessel for containing a body of fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined level; comprising: a multiring assembly including a plurality of rings for supporting said fluid, said rings being provided with radial interferences such that when said fluid is pressurized to said predetermined level the working stress at each radius, except the outermost, is a predetermined ratio of the fatigue stress of the material of which the rings are made.

Claim 20

A pressure vessel according to claim 14 wherein said predetermined ratio is such that said working stress is equal to the fatigue stress of the material of which said rings are made.

Claim 21

A pressure vessel according to claim 14 wherein said predetermined ratio is such that said working stress is less than the fatigue stress of the material of which rings are made.

Claim 22

A pressure vessel for containing a body of fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined level, comprising: a multiring assembly including a plurality of rings for supporting said fluid; said rings fitted together and having radial interferences at the inner radii thereof; and said interferences being such that, when said fluid is pressurized to said predetermined level, said radial interferences are such that the working stress at said inner radii are equal to each other and equal to the fatigue stress of the material of which said rings are made.

Claim 23

A pressure vessel for containing a body of fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined level, comprising: a multiring assembly including a plurality of rings for supporting said fluid; said rings fitted together and having radial interferences at the inner radii thereof; and said interferences being such that, when said fluid is pressurized to said predetermined level, said radial interferences are such that the working stress at said inner radii are equal to each other and equal to the fatigue stress of the material of which said rings are made.

Claim 24

A pressure vessel for containing a body of fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined level, comprising: a multiring assembly including a plurality of rings for supporting said fluid; said rings being press fitted together and having radial interferences at the inner radii thereof; and said interferences being such that, when said fluid is pressurized to said predetermined level, said stress at said inner radii are substantially equal to each other and less than the fatigue stress of the material of which said rings are made.

Claim 25

A pressure vessel for containing a body of fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined level, comprising: a multiring assembly including a plurality of rings for supporting said fluid; said rings being press fitted together and having radial interferences at the inner radii thereof; and said interferences being such that, when said fluid is pressurized to said predetermined level, said stress at said inner radii are substantially equal to each other and less than the fatigue stress of the material of which said rings are made.

Claim 26

A pressure vessel for containing a body of fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined level, comprising: a multiring assembly including a plurality of rings for supporting said fluid; said rings being press fitted together and having radial interferences at the inner radii thereof; and said interferences being such that when said fluid is pressurized to said predetermined level, the stresses experienced by said assembly at said inner radii are defined by:

Claim 27

A pressure vessel for containing a body of fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined level, comprising: a multiring assembly including a plurality of rings for supporting said fluid; said rings being press fitted together and having radial interferences at the inner radii thereof; and said interferences being such that when said fluid is pressurized to said predetermined level, the stresses experienced by said assembly at said inner radii are defined by:

Claim 28

A pressure vessel, comprising: an array of radially disposed segmented blocks for supporting a first body of fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined level, means for supplying a compressional axial and tangential support stresses to said array such that when said fluid is pressurized to said predetermined level the working stress across at least a portion of said array is a predetermined ratio of the fatigue stress of the material of which said blocks are made; a multiring assembly including a plurality of press fitted rings for supporting a second body of fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined level, said rings having radial interferences at the inner radii thereof such that when said second body of fluid is pressurized to said predetermined level, the working stresses at said inner radii are substantially equal to each other and substantially equal to the fatigue stress of the material of which said rings are made.

Claim 29

A pressure vessel, comprising: an array of radially disposed segmented blocks for supporting a first body of fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined level, means for supplying a compressional axial and tangential support stresses to said array such that when said fluid is pressurized to said predetermined level the working stress across at least a portion of said array is a predetermined ratio of the fatigue stress of the material of which said blocks are made; a multiring assembly including a plurality of press fitted rings for supporting a second body of fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined level, said rings having radial interferences at the inner radii thereof such that when said second body of fluid is pressurized to said predetermined level, the working stresses at said inner radii are substantially equal to each other and substantially equal to the fatigue stress of the material of which said rings are made.

Claim 30

A pressure vessel, comprising: an array of radially disposed segmented blocks for supporting a body of operating fluid to be contained within such vessel and to be pressurized to a predetermined level; a multiring assembly including a plurality of press fitted rings for supporting a body of support fluid to be received within said vessel and to be pressurized to a predetermined level, said support fluid for supplying compressional tangential support stress to said array; and means for supplying compressional axial support stress to said array; said axial and tangential support stresses being of predetermined magnitudes such that when said operating fluid is pressurized to said predetermined level the working stress across at least a portion of said array is a predetermined ratio of the fatigue stress of the material of which said blocks are made; said plurality of press fitted rings having radial interferences between the inner radii thereof of predetermined magnitudes such that when said body of support fluid is pressurized to said predetermined level the working stresses at said inner radii are substantially equal to each other and substantially equal to the fatigue stress of the material of which said rings are made.

Claim 31

A pressure vessel, comprising: an array of radially disposed segmented blocks for supporting a body of operating fluid to be contained within such vessel and to be pressurized to a predetermined level; a multiring assembly including a plurality of press fitted rings for supporting a body of support fluid to be received within said vessel and to be pressurized to a predetermined level, said support fluid for supplying compressional tangential support stress to said array; and means for supplying compressional axial support stress to said array; said axial and tangential support stresses being of predetermined magnitudes such that when said operating fluid is pressurized to said predetermined level the working stress across at least a portion of said array is a predetermined ratio of the fatigue stress of the material of which said blocks are made; said plurality of press fitted rings having radial interferences between the inner radii thereof of predetermined magnitudes such that when said body of support fluid is pressurized to said predetermined level the working stresses at said inner radii are substantially equal to each other and substantially equal to the fatigue stress of the material of which said rings are made.

Claim 32

A pressure vessel, comprising: a central chamber for receiving a body of operating fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined level; an array of radially disposed segmented blocks for supporting said central chamber; means for supplying compressional axial support stress to at least a portion of said array; an outer annular chamber for receiving a body of support fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined level; when said operating fluid and said support fluid are pressurized to their respective predetermined levels, said support fluid supplies compressional tangential support stress to said array and cooperates with said axial support means to maintain the working stress across at least a portion of said array at a level substantially equal to the fatigue stress of the material of which said segmented blocks are made; and a multiring assembly including a plurality of press fitted rings for supporting said annular chamber, said rings having radial interferences at the inner radii thereof such that, when said support fluid is pressurized to its predetermined level, the working stresses at the inner radii are substantially equal and substantially equal to the fatigue stress of the material of which said rings are made.

Claim 33

A pressure vessel, comprising: a central chamber for receiving a body of operating fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined level; an array of radially disposed segmented blocks for supporting said central chamber; means for supplying compressional axial support stress to at least a portion of said array; an outer annular chamber for receiving a body of support fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined level; when said operating fluid and said support fluid are pressurized to their respective predetermined levels, said support fluid supplies compressional tangential support stress to said array and cooperates with said axial support means to maintain the working stress across at least a portion of said array at a level substantially equal to the fatigue stress of the material of which said segmented blocks are made; and a multiring assembly including a plurality of press fitted rings for supporting said annular chamber, said rings having radial interferences at the inner radii thereof such that, when said support fluid is pressurized to its predetermined level, the working stresses at the inner radii are substantially equal and substantially equal to the fatigue stress of the material of which said rings are made.

Claim 34

A pressure vessel for containing a fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined operating Level, comprising: an array of radially disposed segmented blocks for supporting said fluid and which experience working stress upon said fluid being pressurized to said predetermined operating level; means for applying variable compressional axial support stress to said array; means for applying variable compressional tangential support stress to said array; said support stresses being of predetermined values for making said working stress across at least a portion of said array a predetermined ratio of the fatigue stress of the material of which said segmented blocks are made; and said means for applying variable compressional axial support stress being operable independently of said means for applying compressional tangential support stress.

Claim 35

A pressure vessel for containing a fluid to be pressurized to a predetermined operating Level, comprising: an array of radially disposed segmented blocks for supporting said fluid and which experience working stress upon said fluid being pressurized to said predetermined operating level; means for applying variable compressional axial support stress to said array; means for applying variable compressional tangential support stress to said array; said support stresses being of predetermined values for making said working stress across at least a portion of said array a predetermined ratio of the fatigue stress of the material of which said segmented blocks are made; and said means for applying variable compressional axial support stress being operable independently of said means for applying compressional tangential support stress.

Claim 36

A pressure vessel according to claim 23 wherein said predetermined ratio is substantially equal to the fatigue stress of the material of which said segmented blocks are made.

Claim 37

A pressure vessel according to claim 23 wherein said predetermined ratio is such that said working stress is less than the fatigue stress of the material of which said segmented blocks are made.

Claim 38

A pressure vessel according to claim 23 wherein said compressional axial support stress is provided by opposed pistons engageable with at least a portion of said array.

Claim 39

A pressure vessel according to claim 23 wherein said compressional tangential support stress is provided by a body of pressurized support fluid to be contained in an annular pressure chamber concentrically surrounding said array.

Claim 40

A pressure vessel according to claim 23 wherein said array is surrounded by a chamber for receiving a body of pressurized support fluid for providing said compressional tangential support stress.