A liquid hydrogen storage tank and an internal support assembly therefor

Abstract

The present invention provides a liquid hydrogen storage tank and an internal support assembly therefor, wherein the internal support assembly includes a first support seat and a second support seat configured to be installed on the inner container and the outer container of the liquid hydrogen storage tank, wherein a tie rod assembly is connected between the first support seat and the second support seat; the tie rod assembly includes a tie rod and a first ball head and a second ball head arranged at both ends of the tie rod, wherein the first ball head extends into the first support seat, and the second ball head extends into the second support seat; a plurality of bottom heat-insulating support balls are abutted between the side of the first ball head close to the tie rod and the bottom plate of the first support seat, and a plurality of bottom heat-insulating support balls are abutted between the side of the second ball head close to the tie rod and the bottom plate of the second support seat. The present invention converts the contact mode between the bottom plate of the support seat and the ball head into point contact, reduces the contact area between the two, thereby minimizing heat leakage and ensuring support strength.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of cryogenic medium storage, and in particular, relates to a liquid hydrogen storage tank and an internal support assembly therefor. Background Art

[0002] Hydrogen produces only water after combustion, and is currently the cleanest energy with the broadest application prospects. However, the storage of hydrogen is subject to limitations such as site and materials. After hydrogen is liquefied, its volume is greatly compressed, and the energy storage density is correspondingly improved, which is the prerequisite for the large-scale application of hydrogen energy.

[0003] Liquid hydrogen will vaporize when its temperature is higher than the liquid temperature (-253℃), resulting in loss and consumption. In order to reduce the storage loss of liquid hydrogen, liquid hydrogen is often stored in a double-layer vacuum insulated liquid hydrogen container. In addition to the pipeline, there are also insulation blankets and some types of support structures between the inner and outer containers of the double-layer vacuum insulated liquid hydrogen container. The support structure must not only bear the weight of the inner container, liquid hydrogen and some corresponding inertial loads, but also ensure that heat will not be transferred to the outer wall of the outer container through the support. Therefore, the design of the support structure is crucial for liquid hydrogen containers.

[0004] In view of this, the present invention is proposed. Summary of the invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to at least overcome some of the shortcomings of the prior art and provide an internal support assembly for a liquid hydrogen storage tank. By arranging a plurality of bottom insulating support balls in abutment between the bottom plate of the support seat and the ball heads at both ends of the pull rod, the contact mode between the bottom plate of the support seat and the ball heads is converted into point contact, thereby reducing the contact area between the two, thereby minimizing heat leakage and ensuring support strength.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0007] An inner support assembly for a liquid hydrogen storage tank, comprising a first support seat and a second support seat configured to be mounted on an inner container and an outer container of the liquid hydrogen storage tank, wherein a tie rod assembly is connected between the first support seat and the second support seat;

[0008] The pull rod assembly comprises a pull rod and a first ball head and a second ball head arranged at two ends of the pull rod, the first ball head extends into the first support seat, and the second ball head extends into the second support seat;

[0009] A plurality of bottom insulating support balls are abutted between the side of the first ball head close to the pull rod and the bottom plate of the first support seat, and a plurality of bottom insulating support balls are abutted between the side of the second ball head close to the pull rod and the bottom plate of the second support seat.

[0010] In some embodiments, a first insulating support plate is abutted between a side of the first ball head away from the pull rod and a top plate of the first support seat, and a second insulating support plate is abutted between a side of the second ball head away from the pull rod and a top plate of the second support seat.

[0011] In some embodiments, a plurality of annular grooves are formed on a side of the first insulation support plate away from the first ball head and / or a side of the second insulation support plate away from the second ball head.

[0012] In some embodiments, a plurality of top insulating support balls are abutted between the side of the first ball head away from the pull rod and the top plate of the first support seat, and a plurality of top insulating support balls are abutted between the side of the second ball head away from the pull rod and the top plate of the second support seat.

[0013] In some embodiments, a first through hole is formed on the bottom plate of the first support base and a second through hole is formed on the bottom plate of the second support base;

[0014] Two ends of the pull rod pass through the first through hole and the second through hole respectively;

[0015] The diameters R1 of the first through hole and the second through hole, the diameters R2 of the first ball head and the second ball head, and the diameter R3 of the pull rod satisfy the following relationship: 1.5R3≤R1≤0.8R2.

[0016] In some embodiments, a vacuum multi-layer insulation blanket is disposed on the outer sides of the first support base, the second support base, and the pull rod.

[0017] The present invention also provides a liquid hydrogen storage tank, comprising the internal support assembly for the liquid hydrogen storage tank according to the above.

[0018] In some embodiments, the liquid hydrogen storage tank further comprises:

[0019] An inner container having a storage space for storing liquid hydrogen;

[0020] An outer container is arranged outside the inner container, and a vacuum interlayer is formed between the outer container and the inner container;

[0021] The inner support components are evenly arranged in multiple groups along the circumference of the vacuum interlayer.

[0022] In some embodiments, the inner container includes an inner shell and inner heads disposed at both ends of the inner shell;

[0023] The outer container comprises an outer shell and outer heads arranged at both ends of the outer shell;

[0024] The first support seat is arranged on the outer side of the inner shell, and the second support seat is arranged on the inner side of the outer shell;

[0025] Wherein, the included angle α between the extension direction of the pull rod and the central axis direction of the inner container satisfies: 5°≤α≤15°.

[0026] In some embodiments, the first support seat is welded to the outer side of the inner shell, and the second support seat is welded to the inner side of the outer shell.

[0027] After adopting the above technical scheme, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art.

[0028] 1. The internal support assembly for a liquid hydrogen storage tank provided by the present invention converts the contact mode between the bottom plate of the support seat and the ball head into point contact by disposing a plurality of bottom insulating support balls abutting between the bottom plate of the support seat and the ball heads at both ends of the pull rod, thereby reducing the contact area between the two and minimizing heat leakage; and when the inner container of the liquid hydrogen storage tank shrinks and deforms due to cooling, a spherical pair can be formed between the bottom insulating support ball and the ball head, providing a movable space for the rotation of the pull rod, thereby effectively ensuring the support strength of the liquid hydrogen storage tank.

[0029] 2. The internal support assembly for a liquid hydrogen storage tank provided by the present invention converts the contact mode between the top plate of the support seat and the ball head into point contact by disposing an insulating support plate or a plurality of top insulating support balls between the top plate of the support seat and the ball head at both ends of the pull rod, thereby reducing the contact area between the two, thereby minimizing heat leakage and ensuring support strength.

[0030] 3. The inner support assembly for a liquid hydrogen storage tank provided by the present invention limits the diameter of the opening on the bottom plate of the support seat to a reasonable range. When the inner container of the liquid hydrogen storage tank contracts due to cooling, it ensures that the tie rod has sufficient swing space, thereby greatly reducing the damage to the tie rod caused by thermal stress.

[0031] 4. The internal support assembly for the liquid hydrogen storage tank provided by the present invention, while ensuring heat leakage and support strength, leaves enough space for the inner container to shrink and deform due to cooling, greatly reduces the structural damage caused by thermal stress, and ensures the safety of the liquid hydrogen storage tank.

[0032] The specific implementation modes of the present invention are further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The accompanying drawings are part of the present invention and are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention, but do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work. In the accompanying drawings:

[0034] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a liquid hydrogen storage tank provided according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 is another schematic diagram of the structure of a liquid hydrogen storage tank provided according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the external structure of an inner support assembly provided according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of an inner support assembly provided according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an installation state of an inner support assembly provided according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A local enlarged view of point A in FIG.

[0040] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure in the second support base provided according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 8 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a first insulation support plate and a second insulation support plate provided according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] In the figure: 100, liquid hydrogen storage tank;

[0043] 10. Inner container; 11. Inner shell; 12. Inner head;

[0044] 20. Outer container; 21. Outer shell; 22. Outer head; 23. Vacuum interlayer;

[0045] 30. Inner support assembly; 31. First support seat; 311. First insulation support plate; 312. First through hole; 313. Annular groove; 32. Second support seat; 321. Second insulation support plate; 323. Second through hole; 33. Tie rod assembly; 331. Tie rod; 332. First ball head; 333. Second ball head; 34. Bottom insulation support ball.

[0046] It should be noted that these drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the conceptual scope of the present invention in any way, but are intended to illustrate the concept of the present invention for those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention but are not used to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0048] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the directions or positional relationships indicated by terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “inside” and “outside” are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0049] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0050] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The structures of the liquid hydrogen storage tank 100 provided according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention are respectively shown. The liquid hydrogen storage tank 100 can be a container for statically storing liquid hydrogen, or a container for transporting liquid hydrogen, which is not limited by the present invention.

[0051] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the liquid hydrogen storage tank 100 includes an inner container 10 and an outer container 20. The inner container 10 has a storage space for storing liquid hydrogen. The outer container 20 is arranged outside the inner container 10, and a vacuum interlayer 23 is formed between the outer container 20 and the inner container 10 to ensure the generation of a heat-insulating effect and reduce the loss of cold of the liquid hydrogen in the inner container 10.

[0052] The liquid hydrogen storage tank 100 further includes an inner support assembly 30 disposed in the vacuum interlayer 23 . The inner support assembly 30 refers to a structure connecting the inner container 10 and the outer container 20 of the liquid hydrogen storage tank 100 , and is used to support and fix the inner container 10 .

[0053] Figure 3The outer structure of the inner support assembly 30 provided according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 4 The internal structure of the inner support assembly 30 provided according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 5 An installation state of the inner support assembly 30 provided according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 6 Shows Figure 5 A partial enlarged view of point A in the figure. Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure inside the second support seat 32 provided according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0054] like Figures 3 to 7 As shown, the inner support assembly 30 includes a first support seat 31 and a second support seat 32 configured to be installed on the inner container 10 and the outer container 20 of the liquid hydrogen storage tank 100, and a tie rod assembly 33 is connected between the first support seat 31 and the second support seat 32. The tie rod assembly 33 includes a tie rod 331 and a first ball head 332 and a second ball head 333 arranged at both ends of the tie rod 331, the first ball head 332 extends into the first support seat 31, and the second ball head 333 extends into the second support seat 32, refer to Figure 4 A plurality of bottom heat-insulating support balls 34 abut against the bottom plate of the first support seat 31 on one side of the first ball head 332 close to the tie rod 331, and a plurality of bottom heat-insulating support balls 34 abut against the bottom plate of the second support seat 32 on one side of the second ball head 333 close to the tie rod 331.

[0055] In the above scheme, a plurality of bottom heat-insulating support balls are arranged between the bottom plate of the support seat and the ball heads at both ends of the pull rod, so that the contact mode between the bottom plate of the support seat and the ball heads is converted into point contact, and the contact area between the two is reduced, thereby minimizing heat leakage. When the inner container 10 of the liquid hydrogen storage tank 100 shrinks and deforms due to cold, a spherical pair can be formed between the bottom heat-insulating support balls and the ball heads, providing a movable space for the rotation of the pull rod, and effectively ensuring the support strength of the liquid hydrogen storage tank 100.

[0056] As an example, the bottom insulation support ball 34 can be made of epoxy board G11, G10 material, or can be made of epoxy resin, glass laminate and other materials. The diameter of the bottom insulation support ball 34 should match the ball head. The number of bottom insulation support balls 34 can be adaptively adjusted according to the size of the support seat. Optionally, six bottom insulation support balls 34 are abutted between the side of the first ball head 332 close to the pull rod 331 and the bottom plate of the first support seat 31, and six bottom insulation support balls 34 are abutted between the side of the second ball head 333 close to the pull rod 331 and the bottom plate of the second support seat 32.

[0057] In some embodiments, the pull rod 331 is a hollow steel tube, and the first ball head 332 and the second ball head 333 are stainless steel balls. The first ball head 332 and the second ball head 333 are welded to both ends of the pull rod 331.

[0058] In some embodiments, the inner support assembly 30 is evenly arranged in multiple groups along the circumference of the vacuum interlayer 23. Multiple groups of support assemblies jointly support the inner container 10 to improve the safety performance of the liquid hydrogen storage tank 100. Optionally, three groups of support assemblies are evenly arranged in the circumference of the vacuum interlayer 23, referring to Figure 2 As shown, the angle between two adjacent support assemblies is 120°.

[0059] In some embodiments, the inner container 10 includes an inner shell 11 and inner heads 12 disposed at both ends of the inner shell 11; the outer container 20 includes an outer shell 21 and outer heads 22 disposed at both ends of the outer shell 21. The first support seat 31 is disposed on the outer side of the inner shell 11, and the second support seat 32 is disposed on the inner side of the outer shell 21. Figure 1 The angle α between the extension direction of the pull rod 331 and the central axis direction of the inner container 10 satisfies: 5°≤α≤15°.

[0060] In the above scheme, the first support seat 31 is arranged on the outer side of the inner shell 11 of the inner container 10 at one end of the liquid hydrogen storage tank 100, and the second support seat 32 is arranged on the inner side of the outer shell 21 of the outer container 20 at the other end of the liquid hydrogen storage tank 100, so that the support assembly covers the inner container 10 as much as possible in the direction of the central axis of the inner container 10, thereby improving the support effect on the inner container 10.

[0061] In some embodiments, the first support seat 31 is welded to the outer side of the inner shell 11 , and the second support seat 32 is welded to the inner side of the outer shell 21 , so as to further ensure the supporting strength of the support assembly for the liquid hydrogen storage tank 100 .

[0062] As an example, the inner container 10, the outer container 20, the first support base 31, and the second support base 32 can be made of low-temperature resistant metals such as stainless steel.

[0063] In order to further improve the safety performance of the liquid hydrogen storage tank 100, the above-mentioned components made of stainless steel forgings are all made of three-level forgings.

[0064] In some embodiments, Figure 5As shown, a first heat-insulating support plate 311 is abutted between the side of the first ball head 332 away from the tie rod 331 and the top plate of the first support seat 31, and a second heat-insulating support plate 321 is abutted between the side of the second ball head 333 away from the tie rod 331 and the top plate of the second support seat 32. Optionally, the first heat-insulating support plate 311 and the second heat-insulating support plate 321 can be made of epoxy board G11, G10, or can be made of epoxy resin, glass laminate and other materials.

[0065] In the above scheme, by setting an insulating support plate between the top plate of the support seat and the ball heads at both ends of the pull rod, the contact mode between the top plate of the support seat and the ball heads is converted into point contact, reducing the contact area between the two and further reducing heat leakage.

[0066] In some embodiments, Figure 8 As shown, a plurality of annular grooves 313 are provided on the side of the first insulation support plate 311 away from the first ball head 332 and / or on the side of the second insulation support plate 321 away from the second ball head 333 to reduce the contact area between the top plate of the support seat and the support plate and reduce the heat transfer between the two.

[0067] It should be noted that the number of the annular grooves 313 and the groove widths etc. can be adaptively adjusted according to the size of the first thermal insulation support plate 311 and / or the second thermal insulation support plate 321 .

[0068] In a replaceable embodiment, a plurality of top insulating support balls are abutted between the side of the first ball head 332 away from the pull rod 331 and the top plate of the first support seat 31, and a plurality of top insulating support balls are abutted between the side of the second ball head 333 away from the pull rod 331 and the top plate of the second support seat 32.

[0069] In the above scheme, by setting a plurality of top insulating support balls between the top plate of the support seat and the ball heads at both ends of the pull rod 331, the contact mode between the top plate of the support seat and the ball heads is converted into point contact, thereby reducing the contact area between the two and further reducing heat leakage.

[0070] Optionally, the top insulation support ball can be made of epoxy board G11, G10 material, or can be made of epoxy resin, glass laminate and other materials. The diameter of the top insulation support ball should match the ball head. The number of top insulation support balls can be adaptively adjusted according to the size of the support seat. Optionally, six top insulation support balls are abutted between the side of the first ball head 332 away from the pull rod 331 and the top plate of the first support seat 31, and six top insulation support balls are abutted between the side of the second ball head 333 away from the pull rod 331 and the top plate of the second support seat 32.

[0071] It can be understood that the number of the top insulation support balls can be the same as the number of the bottom insulation support balls 34 or can be different.

[0072] In some embodiments, Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, a first through hole 312 is formed on the bottom plate of the first support seat 31, and a second through hole 323 is formed on the bottom plate of the second support seat 32; both ends of the pull rod 331 pass through the first through hole 312 and the second through hole 323 respectively. The diameter R1 of the first through hole 312 and the second through hole 323, the diameter R2 of the first ball head 332 and the second ball head 333, and the diameter R3 of the pull rod 331 satisfy: 1.5R3≤R1≤0.8R2.

[0073] In the above scheme, by limiting the diameter of the opening on the bottom plate of the support base within a reasonable range, when the inner container 10 of the liquid hydrogen storage tank 100 contracts due to cooling, it is ensured that the pull rod 331 has sufficient swing space, which greatly reduces the damage to the pull rod 331 caused by thermal stress.

[0074] In some embodiments, a vacuum multi-layer insulation blanket (not shown) is disposed outside the first support base 31, the second support base 32, and the pull rod 331. Optionally, the number of layers of the vacuum multi-layer insulation blanket ranges from 80 to 120.

[0075] It should be pointed out that the vacuum multi-layer insulation herein refers to a thermal insulation material fixed to the outer surface of the inner container 10 or the inner surface of the outer container 20 and formed by cross-stacked and sewn aluminum foil and thermal insulation paper.

[0076] When assembling the liquid hydrogen storage tank 100, the inner support assembly 30 is assembled first, and after the inner container 10 and the outer container 20 are fitted and positioned, the first support seat 31 and the second support seat 32 of the inner support assembly 30 are welded to the inner container 10 and the outer container 20 respectively.

[0077] When the inner container 10 is filled with liquid hydrogen, the temperature of the inner container 10 is substantially the temperature of liquid hydrogen (-253° C.), and the temperature of the first support base 31 and the second support base 32 welded to the inner container 10 is also the temperature of liquid hydrogen. Figure 7As shown, a plurality of bottom insulating support balls 34 are disposed in contact with each other between the bottom plates of the first support seat 31 and the second support seat 32 and the first ball heads 332 and the second ball heads 333 at both ends of the pull rod 331, and an insulating support plate or a plurality of top insulating support balls are disposed in contact with each other between the top plates of the first support seat 31 and the second support seat 32 and the first ball heads 332 and the second ball heads 333 at both ends of the pull rod 331, so that the contact mode between the support seat and the ball heads is converted into point contact, the contact area is reduced, and the cold amount of the inner container 10 is transferred to the outer container 20 as little as possible, thereby achieving the purpose of reducing heat leakage.

[0078] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention in any form. Although the present invention has been disclosed as a preferred embodiment, it is not used to limit the present invention. Any technician familiar with this patent can make some changes or modify the technical contents suggested above into equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. However, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention still fall within the scope of the solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. An internal support assembly for a liquid hydrogen storage tank, characterized in that: It includes a first support seat and a second support seat configured to be installed on the inner container and the outer container of the liquid hydrogen storage tank, and a pull rod assembly is connected between the first support seat and the second support seat; The pull rod assembly comprises a pull rod and a first ball head and a second ball head arranged at two ends of the pull rod, the first ball head extends into the first support seat, and the second ball head extends into the second support seat; A plurality of bottom heat-insulating support balls are abutted between a side of the first ball head close to the pull rod and a bottom plate of the first support seat, and a plurality of bottom heat-insulating support balls are abutted between a side of the second ball head close to the pull rod and a bottom plate of the second support seat; A first through hole is formed on the bottom plate of the first support base, and a second through hole is formed on the bottom plate of the second support base; Two ends of the pull rod pass through the first through hole and the second through hole respectively; The diameters R1 of the first through hole and the second through hole, the diameters R2 of the first ball head and the second ball head, and the diameter R3 of the pull rod satisfy the following relationship: 1.5R3≤R1≤0.8R2; A first heat-insulating support plate is abutted between a side of the first ball head away from the pull rod and a top plate of the first support seat, and a second heat-insulating support plate is abutted between a side of the second ball head away from the pull rod and a top plate of the second support seat; A plurality of annular grooves are formed on a side of the first heat-insulating support plate away from the first ball head and / or a side of the second heat-insulating support plate away from the second ball head.

2. The inner support assembly for a liquid hydrogen storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of top insulating support balls are abutted between the side of the first ball head away from the pull rod and the top plate of the first support seat, and a plurality of top insulating support balls are abutted between the side of the second ball head away from the pull rod and the top plate of the second support seat.

3. The inner support assembly for a liquid hydrogen storage tank according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Vacuum multi-layer heat-insulating blankets are arranged on the outer sides of the first supporting seat, the second supporting seat and the pull rod.

4. A liquid hydrogen storage tank, characterized in that: The invention comprises an inner support assembly for a liquid hydrogen storage tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The liquid hydrogen storage tank according to claim 4, characterized in that: Also includes: An inner container having a storage space for storing liquid hydrogen; An outer container is arranged outside the inner container, and a vacuum interlayer is formed between the outer container and the inner container; The inner support components are evenly arranged in multiple groups along the circumference of the vacuum interlayer.

6. The liquid hydrogen storage tank according to claim 5, characterized in that: The inner container comprises an inner shell and inner heads arranged at both ends of the inner shell; The outer container comprises an outer shell and outer heads arranged at both ends of the outer shell; The first support seat is arranged on the outer side of the inner shell, and the second support seat is arranged on the inner side of the outer shell; Wherein, the included angle α between the extension direction of the pull rod and the central axis direction of the inner container satisfies: 5°≤α≤15°.

7. The liquid hydrogen storage tank according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first support seat is welded to the outer side of the inner shell, and the second support seat is welded to the inner side of the outer shell.

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