Composite number

Manufacturing engineering

Engineering

Composite material

Materials science

Engineering drawing

Mechanical engineering

A titanium-lined, composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV) for helium pressurant storage was designed for a commercial spacecraft. This tank has a nominal propellant volume of 81.4 liters (4,967 cubic inches) and a nominal weight of 11.7 kg (25.8 pounds). The maximum expected operating pressure is 331 bar (4,800 psi). Proof pressure requirement is 414 bar (6,000 psi), and the minimum burst pressure is 497 bar (7,200 psi). The pressurant tank design is based on a flightqualified pressurant tank to take advantage of its design and flight heritage. To minimize risk, the pressurant tank is designed to use only existing manufacturing technology, processes, and procedures. Manufacturing cost is minimized by using existing tooling to the fullest extent.

Design and Manufacture of a Composite Overwrapped Pressurant Tank Assembly