Fiberglass is wound in three winding and cure sequences with first two followed by grit blasting of surface before final step. Result is uniformly stressed metal liner assembly with excellent structural characteristics

Dannenmueller, R. J.

Shuessler, J. F.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

Geodesic Winding Pattern Hoop Winding Pattern 
May 1973	 B73-10082 
NASA TECH BRIEF I Marshall Space Flight Center
-C 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Filament Winding Technique Produces 
Strong Lightweight Oxygen Tanks 
I
The problem: 
Tanks used for transportation and storage of gases 
are usually constructed from thick, heavy metal cylinders 
that are designed to prevent possible explosion. Because 
of their weight, they are difficult to handle and 
transport. Yet, if tanks are made lighter, their safety 
characteristics may be jeopardized. 
The solution: 
Lightweight oxygen tanks have been produced by 
wrapping stainless steel liners with Fiberglas filament. 
The resulting structure exhibits the strength charac-
teristics of much heavier metal cylinders. 
How it's done: 
In this process thin stainless steel tank liners (see fig.) 
are wrapped entirely with Fiberglas filament in a longi-
tudinal geodesic pattern that is alternated with hoop 
layers. The patterns cover the entire tank surface and 
are wound with uniform Fiberglas thickness to provide 
uniform stress over the entire cylinder area. 
The process is accomplished by internal pressuriza-
tion of the liner to assure sufficient rigidity. The liner is 
then installed on the wind axis adapter which is part of 
the winding apparatus. The apparatus uses fully ad-
justable longitudinal and circular arms designed for 
precise winding of polar and hoop layers of Fiberglas at 
prescribed angles, tensions, and locations. Both arms
supply pretensioned S-glass strands (magnesium-alumi-
num silicate composite) collected from the spools. 
• Fiberglas is wound in three winding and cure sequences 
with the first two followed by grit blasting of the surface 
before the final step. The result -is a uniformly stressed 
metal liner assembly with excellent structural charac-
teristics. 
Notes: 
1. The angles of winding are very important in this 
technique. They have been evaluated by a computer 
program and are dependent on the desired design 
characteristics. 
2.. Requests for further information may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
Code A&PS-TU 
Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama 35812 
Reference: B73-10082 
Patent status: 
NASA has decided not to apply for a patent. 
Source: J. F. Shuessler and R. J. Dannenmueller of 
McDonnell Douglas Corp.

under contract to
Marshall Space Flight Center
(MFS-22470) 
Category 08 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
• Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States 	 will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19730000082 2020-03-17T06:43:10+00:00Z


Filament winding technique produces strong lightweight oxygen tanks

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

NASA Technical Reports Server