Appeal 2007-1112
Application 10/692,116
natural gas and hydrogen vehicles, and with military and aerospace
applications.” (Specification at 2).
3. Caudill acknowledges that prior art cylinders include “metal shell
over-wrapped with composite materials” and “plastic shell over-
wrapped with composite materials.” (Specification at 1).
4. Caudill recognizes that “[s]teel cylinders have been wrapped with
composite materials to allow thinner, lighter shells while
maintaining their strength” and “steel cylinders have included
independent plastic linings to prevent reaction with stored fluids.”
(Specification at 1).
5. According to the Specification, “[i]t has been determined that
when an [sic] composite/aluminum cylinder is combined with a
plastic coating, the total weight of the cylinder is reduced,
compared with the all metal cylinders, and the cycle life is
significantly extended…between about 50% to 150%.”
(Specification at 1).
6. The composite is identified as being “typically carbon or aramid
and fiberglass filaments held within an epoxy resin matrix.”
(Specification at 2).
7. Claim 1, below, is representative of claims 1, 2, 6-9, and 14-16,
rejected over the combination of Haldenby and Seal.
1. A gas cylinder comprising:
an aluminum shell having an outer side and an inner side
defining a storage space;
a composite wrap disposed about said aluminum shell;
and
a plastic coating disposed on said inner side.
3
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