Filament wound vessel and method of manufacture

Claim 2

A filament wound cylindrical vessel adapted to withstand internal pressure comprising: a. an outer shell having a full diameter opening at one end thereof and a closure at the other end thereof, and b. an inner shell disposed within the outer shell and having an external diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter of said outer shell, said inner shell having a closure at one end thereof adjacent to the opening of the outer shell and a full diameter opening adjacent to the closure of the outer shell, said inner shell having a hoop strength to axial strength ratio lower than that of said outer shell so that upon application of internal pressure, said inner shell expands more than the outer shell to form a strong frictional bond between the shells.

Claim 3

A filament wound cylindrical vessel adapted to withstand internal pressure comprising: a. an outer shell having a full diameter opening at the fore end thereof and having the aft end thereof adapted to include a rocket nozzle, and b. an inner shell disposed within the outer shell and having an external diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter of said outer shell, said inner shell having the fore end thereof forming a closure and having a full diameter opening at the aft end thereof adapted for loading rocket propellant into the inner shell, said inner shell having a hoop strength to axial strength ratio lower than that of said outer shell so that upon application of internal pressure, said inner shell expands more than the outer shell to form a strong frictional bond between the shells.

Claim 4

A filament wound cylindrical vessel adapted to withstand internal pressure comprising: a. an outer shell having a full diameter opening at the fore end thereof and having the aft end thereof adapted to include a rocket nozzle, and b. an inner shell disposed within the outer shell and having an external diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter of said outer shell, said inner shell having the fore end thereof forming a closure and having a full diameter opening at the aft end thereof adapted for loading rocket propellant into the inner shell, said inner shell having a hoop strength to axial strength ratio lower than that of said outer shell so that upon application of internal pressure, said inner shell expands more than the outer shell to form a strong frictional bond between the shells.

Claim 5

In the method for the manufacture of a filament wound cylindrical vessel, adapted to withstand internal pressure, the improvement which comprises a. forming an outer shell having one end open by winding filamentary material and providing a predetermined ratio of hoop strength to axial strength, b. forming an inner shell having an external diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of said outer shell and having one end open by winding filamentary material and providing a ratio of hoop strength to axial strength less than that of the outer shell, and c. sliding the open end of the inner shell into the open end of the outer shell so that upon the application of internal pressure to the vessel, the inner shell expands and a strong frictional bond between the shells is obtained.

Claim 6

In the method for the manufacture of a filament wound cylindrical vessel, adapted to withstand internal pressure, the improvement which comprises a. forming an outer shell having one end open by winding filamentary material and providing a predetermined ratio of hoop strength to axial strength, b. forming an inner shell having an external diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of said outer shell and having one end open by winding filamentary material and providing a ratio of hoop strength to axial strength less than that of the outer shell, and c. sliding the open end of the inner shell into the open end of the outer shell so that upon the application of internal pressure to the vessel, the inner shell expands and a strong frictional bond between the shells is obtained.

Claim 7

The method as in claim 3 in which a thin film of adhesive is applied to the inner shell prior to slidable engagement of the inner and outer shells.

Claim 8

The method as in claim 3 in which rocket propellant is loaded into the inner shell through its open end prior to slidable engagement of the inner and outer shells.