A contactless supported, levitated liquid hydrogen tank

Abstract

The application provides a kind of contactless support's suspended liquid hydrogen storage tank, using contactless support's mode, through strong magnetic support piece makes the content container of storing liquid hydrogen be suspended in outer container, avoid the formation of "thermal bridge" between content container and external environment, reduce external heat conduction.Liquid hydrogen is stored in the content container;The space between the inner wall of the outer container and the outer wall of the content container is a vacuum state, and the outer container and the content container are connected by the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid outlet pipe;A plurality of strong magnetic support pieces are arranged between the inner wall of the bottom of the outer container and the outer wall of the bottom of the content container for radial support between the outer container and the content container;The axial ends of the outer container and the content container are connected by a plurality of heat insulation wires for limiting the axial movement of the content container.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of cryogenic energy storage technology, specifically relating to a contactless support suspended liquid hydrogen storage tank. Background Technology

[0002] In the storage of liquid hydrogen, the design purpose of vacuum-insulated cryogenic tanks is to minimize the conduction of external heat to the internal liquid in order to maintain the liquid's cryogenic state. Existing vacuum-insulated cryogenic tanks all employ metal or fiberglass support structures. However, due to the thermal bridging effect, the support structure itself, acting as a bridge between the tank and the external environment, inevitably becomes a path for heat transfer. Metal support structures, in particular, have high thermal conductivity, making them prone to forming thermal bridges, causing external heat to be transferred to the internal liquid storage area through the support structure. While fiberglass support structures have a lower thermal conductivity, they still possess some thermal conductivity; when the external ambient temperature is higher than the internal temperature of the tank, heat will be conducted through the material of the support structure itself. Overcoming the heat leakage phenomenon caused by the tank's support structure is a problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a non-contact support suspended liquid hydrogen storage tank. By using a non-contact support method, the inner container for storing liquid hydrogen is suspended and supported inside the outer container through a strong magnetic support component, which avoids the formation of a "thermal bridge" between the inner container and the external environment and reduces external heat conduction.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is as follows:

[0005] A contactless, suspended liquid hydrogen storage tank includes an outer container and an inner container installed inside the outer container, where liquid hydrogen is stored. A vacuum space is formed between the inner wall of the outer container and the outer wall of the inner container. The outer container and the inner container are connected by an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe. Several strong magnetic supports are provided between the bottom inner wall of the outer container and the bottom outer wall of the inner container for radial support between the two. The outer container and the inner container are connected at both axial ends by multiple insulating wires to restrict the axial movement of the inner container.

[0006] Furthermore, the strong magnetic support includes a first support frame fixedly connected to the inner wall of the bottom of the outer container and a second support frame fixedly connected to the outer wall of the bottom of the inner container; both the first support frame and the second support frame have at least two walls, which correspond one-to-one, and at least one strong magnet is fixedly installed on each wall, and the strong magnets installed on the opposite walls of the first support frame and the second support frame repel each other.

[0007] Furthermore, an insulation plate is provided between both ends of the outer container and the inner container along the axial direction. The insulation wires include a number of outer insulation wires connected between the end sidewall of the outer container and the insulation plate, and a number of inner insulation wires connected between the end sidewall of the inner container and the insulation plate. The outer insulation wires and the inner insulation wires are arranged alternately.

[0008] Furthermore, connectors with internal threaded holes are fixedly installed on the end side walls of both the outer container and the inner container. The ends of the outer and inner insulation wires that connect to the container are provided with mounting rings, and bolts are sleeved inside the mounting rings. The bolts are tightened to the corresponding internal threaded holes of the connectors.

[0009] Furthermore, the interlayer space is provided with circumferentially arranged heat insulation screens to resist heat radiation, the heat insulation screens being made of aluminum foil.

[0010] Furthermore, the heat insulation screen is attached between the outer container and the inner container by heat insulation wire, or is fixedly connected to the first support frame or the second support frame, or is fixedly connected to the heat insulation board; or any combination of two or three of the above fixing methods.

[0011] Furthermore, both the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are flexible pipes.

[0012] Furthermore, the inlet tube is wound multiple times around the outer wall of the inner container.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this invention include:

[0014] By employing strong magnetic supports to achieve levitation support of the inner container within the outer container, the contactless support design eliminates direct physical contact between the inner container and the external environment, avoiding the "thermal bridge" effect caused by traditional support structures. This significantly reduces the conduction of external heat to the inner container, which is beneficial for maintaining the cryogenic state of liquid hydrogen. By installing insulating wires at both axial ends of the outer container and the inner container, the axial movement of the inner container is effectively restricted. Furthermore, the cooperation between the insulating wires and the strong magnets further limits the rotation of the inner container, ensuring the stability and safety of the storage tank. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 AA section view;

[0017] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of the image;

[0018] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A magnified view of a portion of the image;

[0019] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 BB cross-sectional view;

[0020] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the insulation wire and the container.

[0021] In the diagram: 1. Inner container; 2. Outer container; 3. Interlayer space; 4. Strong magnetic support; 5. Insulation wire; 6. Insulation board; 7. Insulation screen; 8. Connector; 9. Mounting ring; 10. Bolt; 4-1. First support frame; 4-2. Second support frame; 4-3. Strong magnet; 5-1. Outer insulation wire; 5-2. Inner insulation wire. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "inner" and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish components and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0024] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0025] Example 1

[0026] A contactless, support-free suspended liquid hydrogen storage tank, such as Figure 1 As shown, it includes an outer container 2 and an inner container 1 installed inside the outer container 2, with liquid hydrogen stored inside the inner container 1; an interlayer space 3 is formed between the inner wall of the outer container 2 and the outer wall of the inner container 1, and the interlayer space 3 is evacuated.

[0027] Four strong magnetic supports 4 are provided between the bottom inner wall of the outer container 2 and the bottom outer wall of the inner container 1, located at the four corners respectively. (Reference) Figure 3The strong magnetic support 4 includes a first support frame 4-1 fixedly connected to the inner wall of the bottom of the outer container 2 and a second support frame 4-2 fixedly connected to the outer wall of the bottom of the inner container 1. In this embodiment, both the first support frame 4-1 and the second support frame 4-2 are made of angle steel and are fixed to the container wall by welding. Specifically, to ensure welding stability, the first support frame 4-1 is made of two angle steels welded into a stepped shape, with strong magnets 4-3 installed on one vertical and one horizontal plane where they meet; the second support frame 4-2 is made of one angle steel, also with one vertical and one horizontal plane, and strong magnets 4-3 are installed on both planes. The vertical planes of the two (referring to the first support frame 4-1 and the second support frame 4-2) and the strong magnets 4-3 installed on the vertical plane are opposite to each other and have gaps, and the horizontal planes of the two (referring to the first support frame 4-1 and the second support frame 4-2) and the strong magnets 4-3 installed on the horizontal plane are opposite to each other and have gaps. The strong magnets 4-3 on the two horizontal planes repel each other to provide levitation repulsion, and the strong magnets 4-3 on the two vertical planes repel each other to provide positioning repulsion. The inner container 1 is supported by magnetic repulsion.

[0028] It should be noted that the two plates of the angle steel are perpendicular to each other because, in this embodiment, the mounting surfaces of the strong magnets 4-3 on the first support frame 4-1 or the second support frame 4-2 are perpendicular to each other. However, the included angle of the mounting surfaces of the strong magnets 4-3 on the first support frame 4-1 or the second support frame 4-2 is not limited to 90° and can be other angles. The radial movement of the inner container 1 is restricted by the two mounting surfaces with included angles. The included angles of the mounting surfaces of the strong magnets 4-3 of the four strong magnetic support members 4 can be different, as long as the included angles of the mounting surfaces of the strong magnets 4-3 on the first support frame 4-1 and the second support frame 4-2 of each strong magnetic support member 4 are the same. In practical applications, angle steel is readily available and does not require separate processing of support frames. Therefore, angle steel is selected as the support frame for the strong magnets 4-3 in this embodiment.

[0029] Preferably, the strong magnet 4-3 is installed by welding a steel plate onto an angle steel to form an installation groove, placing the strong magnet 4-3 inside the installation groove, and welding a baffle to the opening of the installation groove to confine the strong magnet 4-3 within the installation groove.

[0030] The outer container 2 and the inner container 1 are connected at both axial ends by multiple insulating wires 5 to restrict the axial movement of the inner container 1. The insulating wires 5, in conjunction with strong magnets 4-3, restrict the rotation of the inner container 1. (Reference) Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5The same insulating wire 5 is not directly connected to the inner and outer containers. Specifically, an insulating plate 6 is provided between the two axial ends of the outer container 2 and the inner container 1. The insulating wire 5 includes several outer insulating wires 5-1 connected between the end side wall of the outer container 2 and the insulating plate 6, and several inner insulating wires 5-2 connected between the end side wall of the inner container 1 and the insulating plate 6. The outer insulating wires 5-1 and the inner insulating wires 5-2 are arranged alternately to block thermal bridges and further insulate the heat.

[0031] The insulation wire 5 can be made of high-strength glass fiber or other high-strength insulation materials, and the insulation board 6 can be made of PA66 material or other high-strength insulation materials.

[0032] refer to Figure 6 The connection method between the insulation wire 5 and the container is as follows: the outer container 2 and the inner container 1 are both fixedly installed with connectors 8 with internal thread holes. The outer insulation wire 5-1 and the inner insulation wire 5-2 are both provided with mounting rings 9 at the end connected to the container. The mounting rings 9 are fitted with bolts 10, and the bolts 10 are screwed into the internal thread holes of the connectors 8.

[0033] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 4 The interlayer space 3 is equipped with circumferentially arranged heat insulation screens 7 to resist heat radiation, further improving the heat insulation performance of the storage tank. The heat insulation screens 7 are made of aluminum foil. The heat insulation screens 7 can be connected by hanging them between the outer container 2 and the inner container 1 through heat insulation wires 5, or by fixing them to the first support frame 4-1 or the second support frame 4-2, or by fixing them to the heat insulation plate 6; or by any combination of two or three of the above fixing methods.

[0034] The outer container 2 is connected to the inner container 1 via an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe. Both the inlet and outlet pipes are flexible, which not only enhances the flexibility and durability of the pipeline but also facilitates installation and adaptation to minor changes in the internal structure of the storage tank. Preferably, since the liquid hydrogen that just enters is relatively cold, the inlet pipe is wrapped around the outer wall of the inner container 1 multiple times to cool the inner container 1 and further insulate it.

[0035] In summary, the liquid hydrogen storage tank of this invention adopts non-contact magnetic levitation support, which eliminates the "thermal bridge" phenomenon and greatly reduces heat conduction. It can minimize external heat conduction, which is of great significance for the storage of liquid hydrogen.

[0036] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely illustrative examples for clear explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations here. However, obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A contactless, supported, suspended liquid hydrogen storage tank, characterized in that, The container includes an outer container (2) and an inner container (1) installed inside the outer container (2), with liquid hydrogen stored inside the inner container (1). A sandwich space (3) is formed between the inner wall of the outer container (2) and the outer wall of the inner container (1). The sandwich space (3) is in a vacuum state. The outer container (2) and the inner container (1) are connected by an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe. Several strong magnetic support members (4) are provided between the bottom inner wall of the outer container (2) and the bottom outer wall of the inner container (1) for radial support between the outer container (2) and the inner container (1). The outer container (2) and the inner container (1) are connected at both ends of the axial direction by multiple insulating wires (5) to restrict the axial movement of the inner container (1). Insulation plates (6) are provided between the outer container (2) and the inner container (1) at both axial ends. The insulation wires (5) include a number of outer insulation wires (5-1) connected between the end side wall of the outer container (2) and the insulation plate (6) and a number of inner insulation wires (5-2) connected between the end side wall of the inner container (1) and the insulation plate (6), and the outer insulation wires (5-1) and the inner insulation wires (5-2) are arranged alternately. The interlayer space (3) is provided with a circumferentially arranged heat insulation screen (7) to resist heat radiation, and the heat insulation screen (7) is made of aluminum foil. The heat insulation screen (7) is hung between the outer container (2) and the inner container (1) by heat insulation wire (5), or is fixedly connected to the first support frame (4-1) or the second support frame (4-2), or is fixedly connected to the heat insulation board (6); or any two or three of the above fixing methods are combined.

2. The contactless support suspended liquid hydrogen storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The strong magnetic support (4) includes a first support frame (4-1) fixedly connected to the inner wall of the bottom of the outer container (2) and a second support frame (4-2) fixedly connected to the outer wall of the bottom of the inner container (1); the first support frame (4-1) and the second support frame (4-2) each have at least two walls, the two walls correspond one to one, and at least one strong magnet (4-3) is fixedly installed on each wall, and the strong magnets (4-3) installed on the opposite walls of the first support frame (4-1) and the second support frame (4-2) repel each other.

3. The contactless support suspended liquid hydrogen storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the outer container (2) and the inner container (1) are fixedly installed with connectors (8) with internal threaded holes. The outer insulation wire (5-1) and the inner insulation wire (5-2) are provided with mounting rings (9) at the ends connected to the container. Bolts (10) are sleeved inside the mounting rings (9), and the bolts (10) are screwed into the internal threaded holes of the connectors (8).

4. The contactless support suspended liquid hydrogen storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the inlet and outlet pipes are flexible.

5. A contactless supported suspended liquid hydrogen storage tank according to claim 4, characterized in that, The liquid inlet tube is wound around the outer wall of the inner container (1) multiple times.

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