EP1028283A2 - Improved metal foam containers - Google Patents

Improved metal foam containers Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1028283A2
EP1028283A2 EP00300802A EP00300802A EP1028283A2 EP 1028283 A2 EP1028283 A2 EP 1028283A2 EP 00300802 A EP00300802 A EP 00300802A EP 00300802 A EP00300802 A EP 00300802A EP 1028283 A2 EP1028283 A2 EP 1028283A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
metal foam
container
extraction tube
improved metal
gas
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00300802A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1028283A3 (en
Inventor
Michael Ernest Garrett
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BOC Group Ltd
Original Assignee
BOC Group Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by BOC Group Ltd filed Critical BOC Group Ltd
Publication of EP1028283A2 publication Critical patent/EP1028283A2/en
Publication of EP1028283A3 publication Critical patent/EP1028283A3/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C11/00—Use of gas-solvents or gas-sorbents in vessels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C1/00—Pressure vessels, e.g. gas cylinder, gas tank, replaceable cartridge

Definitions

  • Foam structures are known in industry and the number of applications for metallic foam structures is continually increasing.
  • aluminium foam metal having a continuously connected, open celled (reticulated) geometry is available and employed in:-
  • the high surface to volume ratio allows for a compact design and the high specific stiffness, that is, high strength to weight ratio makes the material useful in aerospace and car applications.
  • Foam structures are now proposed for high pressure gas containers and in particular high pressure gas containers having an irregular shape for example a non-cylindrical or spherical shape.
  • foam material such as metal foams are formed typically by mixing small quantities of a gasifier e.g. titanium hydride with aluminium powder and subjecting the mixture to heat and pressure to form a sintered sheet.
  • the sintered sheet or a portion thereof is then placed in a mould which is then heated to higher temperature at which the metal melts and hydrogen is released from the titanium hydride to provide an even dispersion of bubbles.
  • a fluid extraction tube is cast into the container and the moulded object is then allowed to solidify and subsequently shock quenched in a cryogen, for example, liquid nitrogen.
  • the extraction tube normally penetrates far enough into the metal foam container to provide a mechanically firm anchor but fluid access to it is limited by the diameter by the extraction tube.
  • a gas container made from metal foam includes at least one extraction tube a portion of which extends into the container said portion being formed with a plurality of perforations or slots.
  • a plurality of perforated extraction tubes are provided each being connected to a common manifold.
  • a gas container 2 made from metal foam includes an extraction tube 4.
  • the extraction tube 4 is cast deeply into the container 2 and the portion of the tube, where it is cast within the container 2 includes a plurality of perforations 6.
  • the function of the extraction tube 4 with the perforations 6 is to collect and convey gas from all parts of the container 2 and thereby enable extraction of the gas to take place at a fast rate.
  • the gas container 2 may be provided with two or more extraction tubes each of which is connected to a common manifold.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

Abstract

A gas container made from metal foam material comprising at least one extraction tube a portion of which extends into the container said portion being formed with a plurality of perforations.

Description

Foam structures are known in industry and the number of applications for metallic foam structures is continually increasing. For example, aluminium foam metal having a continuously connected, open celled (reticulated) geometry is available and employed in:-
  • a) energy/ impact absorbers;
  • b) heat exchangers; and
  • c) lightweight composite panels.
    • When used with heat exchangers the high surface to volume ratio allows for a compact design and the high specific stiffness, that is, high strength to weight ratio makes the material useful in aerospace and car applications.
    Foam structures are now proposed for high pressure gas containers and in particular high pressure gas containers having an irregular shape for example a non-cylindrical or spherical shape. When irregular or complex shapes are required then foam material such as metal foams are formed typically by mixing small quantities of a gasifier e.g. titanium hydride with aluminium powder and subjecting the mixture to heat and pressure to form a sintered sheet.
    The sintered sheet or a portion thereof is then placed in a mould which is then heated to higher temperature at which the metal melts and hydrogen is released from the titanium hydride to provide an even dispersion of bubbles. During the foaming process a fluid extraction tube is cast into the container and the moulded object is then allowed to solidify and subsequently shock quenched in a cryogen, for example, liquid nitrogen.
    The extraction tube normally penetrates far enough into the metal foam container to provide a mechanically firm anchor but fluid access to it is limited by the diameter by the extraction tube.
    It is an aim of the present invention to provide at least one extraction tube for a gas container made from metal foam which will allow the collection of gas from all parts of the metal foam container an enable extraction to take place at faster rates than currently are possible.
    According to the present invention, a gas container made from metal foam includes at least one extraction tube a portion of which extends into the container said portion being formed with a plurality of perforations or slots.
    In a preferred embodiment a plurality of perforated extraction tubes are provided each being connected to a common manifold.
    An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example reference being made to the Figure of the accompanying drawing which is a schematic sketch of a gas container made from metal foam including at least one extraction tube.
    As shown a gas container 2 made from metal foam includes an extraction tube 4. As illustrated, the extraction tube 4 is cast deeply into the container 2 and the portion of the tube, where it is cast within the container 2 includes a plurality of perforations 6. The function of the extraction tube 4 with the perforations 6 is to collect and convey gas from all parts of the container 2 and thereby enable extraction of the gas to take place at a fast rate.
    In a further embodiment the gas container 2 may be provided with two or more extraction tubes each of which is connected to a common manifold.

    Claims (2)

    1. A gas container made from metal foam material comprising at least one extraction tube a portion of which extends into the container said portion being formed with a plurality of perforations.
    2. A gas container as claimed in claim 1, in which a plurality of perforated extraction tubes are provided and connected to a common manifold.
    EP00300802A 1999-02-09 2000-02-02 Improved metal foam containers Withdrawn EP1028283A3 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (2)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    GBGB9902925.8A GB9902925D0 (en) 1999-02-09 1999-02-09 Improved metal foam containers
    GB9902925 1999-02-09

    Publications (2)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP1028283A2 true EP1028283A2 (en) 2000-08-16
    EP1028283A3 EP1028283A3 (en) 2001-06-06

    Family

    ID=10847430

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP00300802A Withdrawn EP1028283A3 (en) 1999-02-09 2000-02-02 Improved metal foam containers

    Country Status (2)

    Country Link
    EP (1) EP1028283A3 (en)
    GB (1) GB9902925D0 (en)

    Cited By (2)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    EP1106942A3 (en) * 1999-12-08 2001-06-20 The BOC Group plc Containers for perishable produce
    CN102563339A (en) * 2011-12-31 2012-07-11 北京浩运金能科技有限公司 Metal hydride hydrogen storing device

    Family Cites Families (4)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US6015041A (en) * 1996-04-01 2000-01-18 Westinghouse Savannah River Company Apparatus and methods for storing and releasing hydrogen
    DE19704968C2 (en) * 1997-01-28 1999-06-02 Mannesmann Ag Container for storing compressed gas
    US5851270A (en) * 1997-05-20 1998-12-22 Advanced Technology Materials, Inc. Low pressure gas source and dispensing apparatus with enhanced diffusive/extractive means
    GB9912215D0 (en) * 1999-05-26 1999-07-28 Boc Group Plc Reticulated foam structures

    Cited By (4)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    EP1106942A3 (en) * 1999-12-08 2001-06-20 The BOC Group plc Containers for perishable produce
    US6401479B2 (en) 1999-12-08 2002-06-11 The Boc Group, Plc Containers for perishable produce
    CN102563339A (en) * 2011-12-31 2012-07-11 北京浩运金能科技有限公司 Metal hydride hydrogen storing device
    CN102563339B (en) * 2011-12-31 2015-09-09 北京浩运金能科技有限公司 A kind of metal hydride hydrogen storage unit

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    EP1028283A3 (en) 2001-06-06
    GB9902925D0 (en) 1999-03-31

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