| 摘要 |
A method for making a pressure tank includes procuring a metallic feed pipe (12) with a substantially cylindrical outer surface (312), a bore (21), and, at an attachment end thereof, an annular ring (350) protruding from the cylindrical outer surface. A dissolvable mandrel (410) in the shape of the desired tank or pressure vessel is made. The mandrel includes a neck portion (412, 414) dimensioned to fit within the bore of the feed pipe. If necessary, the outer surface of the mandrel is rendered electrically conductive, as for example by metal sputtering or evaporation, or by electroless deposition. A thin layer (328) of ductile metal is then electrolytically deposited over the outer surface of the mandrel, extending onto the outer surface of the feed pipe in the pipe-to-tank coupling region, closely fitting over the annular ring, to thereby form a tank liner. A composite reinforcing shell (322) is formed around the liner, and extending over the liner in the coupling region. Thereafter, a solvent is applied to dissolve the mandrel. In a particular embodiment, the ductile metal is copper, the metallic pipe is steel, and the composite material is graphite-fiber reinforced epoxy, applied in the form of a yarn, tow or tape which may be preimpregnated with partially cured epoxy resin, or which if not preimpregnated, is impregnated during winding. The epoxy is cured to form the reinforcing shell. A spacecraft includes a thruster engine, a tank as described, and interconnecting plumbing. |
