Device for storing and transporting liquefied gas

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for storing and transporting a liquefied gas, in particular a cryogenic fluid such as helium or hydrogen, the device comprising a first reservoir of an interior extending in a longitudinal direction and intended for storing the liquefied gas, a second reservoir of an exterior arranged surrounding the first reservoir, there being a vacuum-insulated space between the first reservoir and the second reservoir, the device comprising a holding system for holding the first reservoir in the second reservoir, the holding system comprising a first rigid connection between the first reservoir and the second reservoir at a first longitudinal end of the device and a suspension mechanism for suspending the first reservoir within the second reservoir at a second longitudinal end of the device. The device comprises an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the end of the tie rod relative to the sheath before rigidly attaching the tie rod to the sheath, the adjustment mechanism comprising at least one of a ball joint and a positioning system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for storing and transporting liquefied gases, particularly cryogenic fluids such as helium or hydrogen.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus for storing and transporting liquefied gases, particularly cryogenic fluids such as helium or hydrogen, comprising a first reservoir extending longitudinally and intended for storing the liquefied gas, a second reservoir arranged around the first reservoir, a vacuum-insulated space between the first and second reservoirs, and a holding system for holding the first reservoir within the second reservoir, the holding system comprising: a first rigid connection, e.g., a welded connection, between the first and second reservoirs at a first longitudinal end of the apparatus; and a suspension mechanism located at a second longitudinal end of the apparatus for suspending the first reservoir within the second reservoir, the suspension mechanism comprising an assembly consisting of a pull rod, the pull rod being rigidly attached via respective / correspondingly Two sleeves attached to the first and second reservoirs connect the first reservoir to the second reservoir. A first end of the pull rod is attached to a sleeve fixed to the first reservoir via an assembly consisting of a nut and one or more washers fitted around the pull rod. A second end of the pull rod is attached to a sleeve fixed to the second reservoir via an assembly consisting of a nut and one or more washers fitted around the pull rod. Each nut is screwed onto a corresponding end of the pull rod and clamps a corresponding washer assembly consisting of the one or more washers against a corresponding sleeve. The pull rod is inclined relative to an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The device includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of at least one end of the pull rod relative to its sleeve before the pull rod is rigidly attached to the sleeve.

[0003] In particular, the present invention relates to a stationary or mobile (e.g., truck-transported) horizontal reservoir or container (especially an ISO container) for transporting fluids (especially cryogenic liquids or gases). Background Technology

[0004] During the manufacture of such a device, the adjustment of the connecting elements (suspension) must be carried out while hot (when the reservoir is not filled) and just before welding to avoid promoting the entry of heat that would impair the thermal performance of the product.

[0005] In known devices, adjusting the final orientation and position of the tie rod used to suspend the internal reservoir is inconvenient. In some cases, welding at the first longitudinal end of the reservoir can, for example, cause harmful contact between the tie rod and its sheath at the other longitudinal end (the second end). Additional shrinkage occurs as the reservoir cools. This shrinkage may vary depending on the welding parameters of the assembled parts. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One object of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the defects of the above-mentioned prior art components.

[0007] Therefore, the main feature of the device according to the invention—which in other respects is based on the general definition of the device given in the foregoing preamble—is that the adjusting mechanism comprises at least one of the following: a ball joint, wherein a washer assembly consisting of one or more washers at at least one end of the pull rod has a thickness that is not uniform in a direction parallel to the axis of the pull rod, thereby forming a non-planar support surface and constituting the ball joint, which allows the given angular orientation of the pull rod relative to the sheath to be achieved by rotational adjustment of the washer assembly about the pull rod before the pull rod is rigidly attached to the sheath in a given angular orientation relative to the sheath; a positioning system, wherein at least one end of the sheath in contact with the washer assembly and the washer assembly have mating shapes configured to allow: during the installation of the washer assembly, the pull rod, and the nut and before the pull rod is rigidly attached to the sheath in the given angular orientation, the washer assembly, the pull rod, and the nut to be laterally positioned relative to the sheath in a given position relative to the sheath.

[0008] In the example shown, the two ends of the pull rod are attached to the two reservoirs respectively by a system consisting of one or more sleeves, one or more washers, and nuts. However, only one end of the pull rod can be attached to its reservoir in this manner.

[0009] Therefore, at least one heart-shaped portion / at least one end of these pull rods can be attached to its reservoir (first or second reservoir) via a sheath fixed to the reservoir and an assembly consisting of one or more washers and one or more nuts, the sheath, washers and nuts being mounted around the pull rod and providing positioning and retention of the end of the pull rod relative to the reservoir.

[0010] A connection system with a sleeve, washer, and nut allows the tie rod to be positioned in a given manner (the angular position of the tie rod) before it is rigidly attached, for example, by welding (fixed angular position).

[0011] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may include one or more of the following features:

[0012] - The washer assembly, the pull rod, and the nut, which belong to the positioning system, can be laterally positioned / adjusted / positioned relative to the sheath within a distance of a few millimeters;

[0013] - The mating shape portion of the positioning system is formed at the end of the sheath that contacts the washer assembly and at the washer assembly, respectively. The mating shape portion includes at least one notch and at least one complementary protrusion received in the notch. The notch and the protrusion are configured to guide the washer assembly, the pull rod and the nut to move laterally relative to the sheath.

[0014] -The washer assembly includes two washers stacked between the nut and the sheath;

[0015] -The one or more gaskets are made of at least one of the following materials: austenitic stainless steel, duplex stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, or epoxy resin laminate;

[0016] - The first end of the pull rod is attached to a sleeve fixed to a collar, which is fixed to one end of the first reservoir;

[0017] -The pull rod assembly includes four, six, or eight pull rods;

[0018] - The washer assembly of the ball joint is configured to rotate around the pull rod to change the angular orientation of the pull rod relative to the sheath by several degrees.

[0019] The present invention may also relate to any alternative means or methods that fall within the scope of the claims and include any combination of the features described above or below. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Further specific features and advantages will become apparent after reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic partial longitudinal sectional view is shown, illustrating an example of the structure of the device according to the invention;

[0022] Figure 2 A schematic partial perspective view is shown, illustrating details of the device, particularly at one end of the suspension rod;

[0023] Figure 3 Another schematic partial perspective view is shown, illustrating the details of the device, particularly at one end of the suspension rod;

[0024] Figure 4 Another schematic partial front view is shown, illustrating details of the longitudinal end of the device;

[0025] Figure 5 Another schematic partial perspective view is shown, illustrating details of the device, particularly the end of the sheath designed to receive the suspension rod. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The illustrated device 1 for storing and transporting liquefied gas includes an internal first reservoir 2, which is, for example, generally cylindrical and extends along a longitudinal direction A. This longitudinal direction A is horizontal in the position of use (horizontal type reservoir).

[0027] The first reservoir 2 inside is designed for storing liquefied gases.

[0028] A second storage unit 3 is provided to surround the first storage unit 2, and a vacuum insulation space exists between the first storage unit 2 and the second storage unit 3.

[0029] The device 1 includes a holding system for holding a first reservoir 2 within a second reservoir 3. The holding system includes a first rigid connection 4, for example a welded connection, located at a first longitudinal end of the device 1 between the first reservoir 2 and the second reservoir 3. For example, the two adjacent ends are welded together by a tubular component such as a collar.

[0030] The device 1 includes a suspension mechanism at its second longitudinal end for suspending the first reservoir 2 within the second reservoir 3.

[0031] The suspension mechanism includes an assembly consisting of a tie rod 5, which connects the first reservoir 2 to the second reservoir 3 via sleeves 6, 16 respectively / correspondingly rigidly attached to the first reservoir 2 and / or the second reservoir 3. That is, in the final rigid connection position (e.g., after welding), the tie rod is fixed in a given position (tilt) relative to the two reservoirs.

[0032] For example, device 1 includes a plurality of pull rods 5, the two ends of which are connected to one of the reservoirs via sleeves 6 and 16.

[0033] The first end of the pull rod 5 is attached to a sleeve 6 fixed to the first reservoir 2 via an assembly consisting of a nut 9 and washers 7 and 8 fitted around the pull rod 5. The sleeve 6 is a tubular component that is, for example, welded to a cylindrical collar 13 fixed to the second longitudinal end of the first reservoir 2. For example, the collar 13 is welded to the end of the first reservoir 2.

[0034] The second end of the pull rod 5 is attached to a sleeve 16 fixed to the second reservoir 3 via an assembly consisting of washers 7 and 8 and a nut 9 fitted around the pull rod 5 (for example, the sleeve 16 is welded to the reservoir).

[0035] Each nut 9 can be screwed onto the threaded end of the pull rod 5 to clamp the assembly of washers 7 and 8 against the sheath 6.

[0036] The tie rod 5 is tilted relative to the axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0037] According to an advantageous feature, the device 1 includes a mechanism by which the position of at least one end of the pull rod 5 relative to its sheaths 6, 16 can be adjusted before the pull rod 5 is rigidly attached to the sheaths 6, 16.

[0038] The adjustment mechanism includes a ball joint and / or a positioning system.

[0039] like Figure 2 or Figure 3 As shown, the ball joint can be formed by at least one washer 8 from an assembly consisting of washers 7 and 8 at at least one end of the tie rod 5, the at least one washer having a non-planar thickness measured in the axial direction of the tie rod 5. This non-planar thickness is formed at the non-planar support surface constituting the ball joint at the connection, thus allowing the angular orientation of the tie rod 5 relative to the sheath 6 by rotational positioning of the washer 7 in the positioning groove. This allows for fine-tuning of the given orientation of the tie rod 5 during assembly and before the tie rod 5 is rigidly attached (welded) to the sheath 6 in said orientation. After positioning, the final position of the tie rod is secured by welding the washer 7 to the sheath 16.

[0040] In this non-limiting example, the assembly consisting of washers 7 and 8 includes two washers stacked between the nut 9 and the sheath 6. Washers 7 and 8 may be made of at least one of the following materials: austenitic stainless steel, duplex stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, or epoxy resin laminate.

[0041] The positioning system can be configured such that, at at least one end of the pull rod 5, the end of the sheath 6 that contacts the assembly consisting of washers 7 and 8, and the assembly consisting of washers 7 and 8, preferably have mating shapes 11 and 12, which are configured to allow the assembly consisting of washers 7 and 8, the pull rod 5, and the nut 9 to be laterally positioned relative to the sheath 6. This positioning (which can vary, for example, by a few millimeters) allows for selection of a given position of the pull rod 5 relative to the sheath 6 during assembly installation and before rigid attachment (welding) in the stated orientation. In particular, this positioning system allows for adjustment of the angular position of the pull rod (before fixing).

[0042] This allows for alternative or additional adjustments to the suspension mechanism to adjust the longitudinal position of the tie rod, particularly its longitudinal position relative to the external reservoir 3.

[0043] This allows for adjustment of the angle and / or position of the lever 5 in question.

[0044] An example of fitting shape parts 11 and 12 in Figure 3 and Figure 5As shown in the figure, these mating shapes are located at the end of the sheath 6 that contacts the washer 7 and at the washer 7 itself. As illustrated, these mating shapes may include at least one notch 11 (or cut or groove) (e.g., at the sheath 6) and at least one complementary protrusion 12 (e.g., at the washer 7), the protrusion 12 being received in the notch 11. Figure 5 As shown, the ends of the sheaths 6 and 16 may in particular have two notches 11, which are radially oppositely positioned on the end edges of the sheaths 6 and 16. This forms a system for guiding along a direction passing through the two notches 11.

[0045] The notch 11 and the protrusion 12 are configured to guide the assemblies consisting of washers 7 and 8, the pull rod 5, and the nut 9 to move laterally relative to the sheath 6, particularly along the longitudinal direction A. This also allows for the selection of a suitable tilt angle after welding 4 to the first end of the device, and then welding the second end to that suitable position.

[0046] Of course, alternatively or additionally, the suspension mechanism may include a pull rod with only one end connected to the reservoir via a sheath (see...). Figure 4 ).

[0047] exist Figure 4 In the example, the suspension mechanism includes four tie rods 5, the ends of which are connected to two reservoirs via sleeves 6 and 16, respectively. The four tie rods 5 are distributed, for example, in such a way that one pair is at the top and another pair is at the bottom (for example, the angle between two tie rods in one pair in the plane transverse to longitudinal direction is less than 90 degrees, and the angle between two adjacent tie rods 5 in the two pairs of tie rods is greater than 90 degrees).

[0048] In this non-limiting example, four additional pull rods (not shown in the figures) may be provided to hold the heat shield (not depicted in detail for simplicity), and one end of each additional pull rod is connected to the shield via a sheath, while the other end is connected to the external reservoir 3 without the sheath. The pull rods used to suspend the heat shield disposed between the two reservoirs 2 and 3 may also have the adjustment mechanism described above.

[0049] Therefore, the aforementioned adjustment mechanism can be applied to one or more pull rods and to the (inner / outer) ends or both ends of the pull rod 5. Similarly, the number and orientation of the pull rods 5 are not limited.

[0050] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the examples described above. For example, the external second reservoir 3 may surround more than one reservoir for cryogenic fluids and / or surround other components, particularly a thermal shield disposed between the two reservoirs.

Claims

1. An apparatus for storing and transporting liquefied gas, the apparatus comprising a first reservoir (2) extending in a longitudinal direction (A) and intended for storing liquefied gas, and a second reservoir (3) arranged surrounding the first reservoir (2), with a vacuum-insulated space between the first reservoir (2) and the second reservoir (3), the apparatus (1) comprising a holding system for holding the first reservoir (2) in the second reservoir (3), the holding system comprising: A first rigid connector (4) located at the first longitudinal end of the device (1) between the first reservoir (2) and the second reservoir (3); and a suspension mechanism at the second longitudinal end of the device (1) for suspending the first reservoir (2) within the second reservoir (3), the suspension mechanism comprising a pull rod assembly consisting of a pull rod (5) that connects the first reservoir (2) to the second reservoir (3) via a sheath (6, 16) rigidly attached to the first reservoir (2) and / or attached to the second reservoir (3), the first end and / or the second end of the pull rod (5) being secured by a nut (9) and one or more washers ( The assembly consisting of 7, 8) is attached to a sleeve (6, 16) fixed to the reservoir in question. The nut (9) and the one or more washers (7, 8) are fitted around the pull rod (5). Each nut (9) is screwed onto one end of the pull rod (5) and the washer assembly consisting of the one or more washers (7, 8) is clamped against the corresponding sleeve (6). The pull rod (5) is inclined relative to an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The device includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of at least one end of the pull rod (5) relative to its sleeve (6, 16) before the pull rod (5) is rigidly attached to the sleeve (6, 16). The adjustment mechanism is characterized by comprising a positioning system, wherein at least one end of the sleeve (6, 16) that contacts the washer assembly and the washer assembly have mating shapes (11, 12) configured to allow: during installation of the washer assembly and before the pull rod (5) is rigidly attached to the sleeve (6) at a given angular orientation, the washer assembly, the pull rod (5), and the nut (9) to be laterally positioned relative to the sleeve (6, 16) relative to the sleeve. In a given position (6, 16), the mating shape portion (11, 12) of the positioning system is formed at the end of the sleeve (6) that contacts the washer assembly and at the washer assembly, respectively. The mating shape portion includes at least one notch (11) and at least one complementary protrusion (12) received in the notch (11). The notch (11) and the protrusion (12) are configured to guide the washer assembly, the pull rod (5) and the nut (9) to move laterally relative to the sleeve (6).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjusting mechanism includes a ball joint, wherein a washer assembly consisting of one or more washers (7, 8) at at least one end of the pull rod (5) has a thickness that is not uniform in a direction parallel to the axis of the pull rod (5), thereby forming a non-planar support surface and constituting the ball joint, which allows the given angular orientation of the pull rod (5) relative to the sheath (6, 16) to be achieved by rotational adjustment of the washer assembly about the pull rod (5) before the pull rod (5) is rigidly attached to the sheath (6) at a given angular orientation relative to the sheath (6, 16).

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquefied gas is a cryogenic fluid.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The liquefied gas is helium or hydrogen.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first rigid connector is a welded connector.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The washer assembly includes two washers stacked between the nut (9) and the sleeve (6).

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The gaskets (7, 8) are made of at least one of the following materials: austenitic stainless steel, duplex stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, or epoxy resin laminate.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first end of the pull rod (5) is attached to a sleeve (6) fixed on a collar (13), which is fixed to one end of the first reservoir (2).

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The lever assembly includes four, six, or eight levers.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The tie rod is rigidly attached to the sheath by welding.

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