Method of producing metal encapsulated plastic tank systems

摘要

A method of forming a tank system and a tank system formed thereby wherein the tank system comprises a plastic tank covered by a metal shell. The inventive method comprises the steps of: (a) covering a first portion of the plastic tank with a first metal shell piece having a first edge wherein the interior shape of the first metal shell piece corresponds to the exterior shape of the first portion of the plastic tank such that the exterior surface of the plastic tank is positioned in close proximity to the interior surface of the first metal shell piece; (b) covering a second portion of the plastic tank with a second metal shell wherein the interior shape of the second metal shell piece corresponds to the exterior shape of the second portion of the plastic tank such that the exterior surface of the plastic tank is positioned in close proximity to the interior surface of the second metal shell piece, and wherein the second metal shell piece has a second edge corresponding to the first edge of the first metal shell piece such that, when the first and second shell pieces are placed over the plastic tank, the second edge is positioned adjacent the first edge; and (c) welding the first and second shell pieces together along the first and second edges.