Tank for storing liquefied fluid, adjustment device, apparatus and method for assembling such

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage tank for storing a liquefied fluid, comprising an inner shell for containing the liquefied fluid and an outer shell for protecting the inner shell, the inner shell and the outer shell being separated by a gap provided with a thermal insulation system, the inner shell and the outer shell respectively comprising an inner tubular central portion and an outer tubular central portion extending in the main direction of the storage tank, the inner shell and the outer shell respectively further comprise two opposite end caps, namely an inner end cap and an outer end cap, the storage tank further comprises a lug carried by the inner shell, the lug extends in a gap between the inner shell and the outer shell in a direction perpendicular to the main direction, the lug is accessible from a resealable opening in the outer shell, and the lug is connected to the inner shell and the outer shell. The protrusion is configured to cooperate with a third-party device so as to drive the inner shell and the outer shell to move relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the main direction. The invention also relates to an adjustment device intended for use in a storage tank for adjusting coaxial alignment, to an apparatus comprising said storage tank and said adjustment device, and to a method for assembling said storage tank.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a storage tank for storing liquefied cryogenic fluids. The fluid involved can be liquefied hydrogen.

[0002] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a device for adjusting the coaxial alignment of such a storage tank.

[0003] A third aspect of the present invention relates to an equipment comprising such a storage tank and such a device.

[0004] Finally, a fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a method of assembling such a storage tank using such an adjusting device. Background Art

[0005] Storage tanks for storing liquefied fluids generally include an inner shell intended to contain the fluid and an outer shell intended to protect the inner shell. The outer shell and the inner shell are separated from each other by a gap provided with an insulation system, for example the gap is under vacuum. Both the inner shell and the outer shell include tubular central portions, which are respectively an inner tubular central portion and an outer tubular central portion, and they extend in the main direction of the storage tank. In addition, both the inner shell and the outer shell have opposite end caps, which are respectively two inner end caps and two outer end caps.

[0006] To assemble the above storage tank, the first end of the outer shell is first closed by a first end cap to form an outer shell that is open at the opposite second end. Next, the semi-open outer shell is placed vertically so as to receive the inner shell inside it. Finally, the second end is itself closed by a second end cap, followed by the final step of permanently fixing the outer end caps to the outer tubular central portion of the outer shell.

[0007] To perform this fixing (for example, this fixing can be carried out by welding), the closed outer shell is held in a vertical position relative to the ground, with one outer end cap at the highest position and the other outer end cap at the lowest position. The vertical position is advantageous because it allows the inner shell to be centered relative to the outer shell before the outer end caps are welded to the outer central tubular portion of the outer shell.

[0008] Although the upper end cap can be welded to the tubular portion of the outer shell without much difficulty, welding the lower end cap is still a complex operation.

[0009] Therefore, it is necessary to reconsider the design of the storage tank to make it easier to assemble, especially to weld the outer end caps to the central cylindrical portion of the outer shell. Summary of the Invention

[0010] To this end, a first aspect of the present invention relates to a storage tank for storing liquefied fluids that conforms to the general definition given in the above preamble.

[0011] According to this first aspect of the invention, the storage tank is essentially characterized in that it comprises a raised portion, which is supported by the inner shell and extends into the gap between the inner shell and the outer shell in a direction perpendicular to the main direction of the storage tank. The raised portion can be accessed through a repeatedly sealable opening in the outer shell. Furthermore, the raised portion is configured to cooperate with a third-party device in order to drive the inner shell and the outer shell to move relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the main direction.

[0012] Thus, by providing the raised portion as described above, the invention provides the possibility of adjusting the position of the inner shell relative to the outer shell by working from the outside of the storage tank in a direction that makes the operator's operation easier. The invention also provides the possibility of maintaining the axial alignment of the inner shell and the outer shell through the cooperation between the raised portion and a third-party device with complementary geometry.

[0013] "Third-party device" refers to a device that does not form part of the storage tank but is capable of reversibly cooperating with the raised portion to make the storage tank easier to assemble. It can be a device for adjusting the relative coaxial alignment of the outer shell and the inner shell of the storage tank.

[0014] Other embodiments of the storage tank include the following features:

[0015] - The raised portion is configured to cooperate with the third-party device by screw fastening;

[0016] - The raised portion has an internal (or external) thread for cooperating with an external (or internal) thread belonging to the third-party device;

[0017] - The storage tank includes a container fixed to the inner shell;

[0018] - The container and the inner shell together form a chamber intended for receiving an adsorbent;

[0019] - The raised portion is formed on the container;

[0020] - The raised portion forms a passage for the adsorbent to enter the chamber from an opening in the outer shell;

[0021] - The container is positioned at one of the inner end caps of the inner shell;

[0022] - The container includes a side wall extending in the main direction and a base transverse to the side wall;

[0023] - The raised portion extends from the side wall of the container;

[0024] - Each inner end cap of the inner shell carries a first centering member extending in the main direction;

[0025] - Each outer end cap of the outer shell carries a second centering member extending in the main direction;

[0026] - One of the corresponding centering members of the inner end cap and the outer end cap located at the same end of the storage tank is assembled inside the other;

[0027] - The outer shell is provided with at least one protrusion designed to receive a third-party device;

[0028] - The at least one protrusion of the outer shell is formed on the outer shell near the opening;

[0029] - The at least one protrusion of the outer shell includes an outer branch and an inner branch, and the inner branch is shorter than the outer branch;

[0030] - The branches of the at least one protrusion of the outer shell are connected to each other by a bridging portion, and the bridging portion is formed with a flat seating surface designed to receive the third-party device.

[0031] The second aspect of the present invention relates to a device for adjusting the coaxial alignment of the storage tank defined above. The device includes:

[0032] - A support member extending in the main direction;

[0033] - A sleeve configured to be installed through a channel in the support member in a direction perpendicular to the main direction, and the sleeve includes a first end provided with an adjustment member (such as a thread);

[0034] - A handle fixed to the sleeve, and the handle is designed to rotate the sleeve relative to the support member when using the device, and the handle and the adjustment member are respectively located on both sides of the support member;

[0035] - A connecting member configured to reversibly fix the sleeve to the support member to facilitate storage and / or transportation of the device.

[0036] Other embodiments of the device for adjusting coaxial alignment include the following features:

[0037] - The sleeve has a second end provided with a plate;

[0038] - The connecting member is configured to fix the plate to the support member;

[0039] - The support member includes a main body, and the main body includes two opposite main surfaces: a first main surface and a second main surface;

[0040] - The channel designed to receive the sleeve extends between the two main surfaces of the support member.

[0041] The third aspect of the present invention relates to a device including the storage tank as described above and the adjustment device as described above.

[0042] The support member of the adjusting device is configured to rest on the outer shell of the storage tank. The sleeve of the adjusting device is configured to engage in an opening formed in the outer shell of the storage tank so as to cooperate with a projection carried by the inner shell of the storage tank. The handle of the adjusting device is configured to be used to drive the sleeve to perform relative movement with respect to the projection.

[0043] The fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a method for assembling a storage tank as described above. This method uses the device for adjusting coaxial alignment as described above. The method includes the following successive steps:

[0044] - A step of closing the first end of the outer shell by assembling the first outer end cap to form an outer shell that is open at the opposite second end;

[0045] - A step of inserting the inner shell into the open outer shell;

[0046] - A step of inserting the adjusting device through the opening in the outer shell, thereby causing a fit between the sleeve of the adjusting device and the projection carried by the inner shell;

[0047] - A step of adjusting the relative coaxial alignment of the inner shell and the outer shell by using the relative movement between the sleeve of the adjusting device and the projection carried by the inner shell;

[0048] - A step of closing the second end of the outer shell by assembling the second outer end cap. Description of the Drawings

[0049] Further specific features and advantages will become apparent by reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0050] Figure 1 is an isometric view showing a storage tank and a device for adjusting coaxial alignment according to the present invention, with the adjusting device mounted on the storage tank;

[0051] Figure 2 shows details from Figure 1 in an isometric view;

[0052] Figure 3 shows Figure 1 a two-dimensional cross-sectional view of the storage tank and the device, the storage tank including an outer shell and an inner shell;

[0053] Figure 4 shows details from Figure 3 in a cross-sectional view;

[0054] Figure 5 shows separately Figure 1 the storage tank in

[0055] Figure 6 shows separately Figure 1Isometric view of the device, without the storage tank;

[0056] Figure 7 Is an isometric view that shows Figure 2 the outer shell of in a partially open configuration and a vertical position;

[0057] Figure 8 Is an isometric view that shows the positioning of the inner shell above the open outer shell;

[0058] Figure 9 Is an isometric view that shows the start of inserting the inner shell into the open outer shell;

[0059] Figure 10 Is an isometric view showing the storage tank in a horizontal configuration. Detailed Description

[0060] As Figure 1 and Figure 3 shown, the present invention relates to a double-walled storage tank 1 for storing, for example, cryogenic fluids.

[0061] The storage tank 1 extends along a longitudinal main direction X. In addition, the storage tank 1 has a vertical transverse intermediate plane TV, a vertical longitudinal intermediate plane LV, and a horizontal longitudinal intermediate plane LH. The planes TV, LV, LH are defined when considering the main direction X to be parallel to the ground.

[0062] Referring to Figure 3 , the storage tank 1 includes an inner shell 11 intended to contain a liquefied fluid and an outer shell 12 covering the inner shell 11. The outer shell 12 is intended to protect the inner shell 11. The inner shell 11 and the outer shell 12 are spaced apart to form a gap 13 provided with a thermal insulation system.

[0063] The thermal insulation system can be formed by creating a vacuum in the gap 13, and / or can include thermal insulation structures, such as of the "multi-layer" insulation structure (MLI) type.

[0064] Each of the inner shell 11 and the outer shell 12 includes a cylindrical central portion having a circular cross-section, which are respectively an inner cylindrical central portion 111 and an outer cylindrical central portion 121 extending along the main direction X of the storage tank 1. In addition, each of the inner shell 11 and the outer shell 12 has opposite end caps, which are respectively inner end caps 112a, 112b and outer end caps 122a, 122b. These end caps 112a, 112b; 122a, 122b can be dome-shaped.

[0065] The inner central portion 111 of the inner shell 11 and the inner end caps 112a, 112b form a fluid-tight / fluid-impermeable cavity 113 intended to contain a fluid. Similarly, the outer central portion 121 of the outer shell 12 and the outer end caps 122a, 122b form a cavity in which the inner shell 11 is placed.

[0066] In Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiments, the inner end caps 112a, 112b have concave surfaces that are recessed towards the outside of the storage tank 1. One of the outer end caps 122a, 122b (in this example, the outer end cap 122b) has a concave surface that is recessed towards the inside of the storage tank 1. The other of the outer end caps 122a, 122b (in this example, the outer end cap 122a) has a concave surface that is recessed towards the outside of the storage tank 1.

[0067] According to the present invention, the storage tank 1 includes a raised portion 14 carried by the inner shell 11, and the raised portion 14 extends in the gap 13 between the inner shell 11 and the outer shell 12 in a direction perpendicular to the main direction X of the storage tank 1. The raised portion 14 is accessible through a repeatable sealable opening 15 formed in the outer shell 12. The opening 15 is visible in Figure 5 In addition, the raised portion 14 is configured to cooperate with a third-party device 2.

[0068] A "third-party device" refers to a device that does not form part of the storage tank 1 during its operation but can be reversibly coupled to the raised portion 14 carried by the inner shell 11. The third-party device 2 has a geometry complementary to that of the raised portion 14. It can be a device 2 for adjusting coaxial alignment, as described later in the specification.

[0069] Thus, by providing the raised portion 14 as described above, the present invention provides the possibility of adjusting the relative position of the inner shell 11 with respect to the outer shell 12 by an operation performed and monitored from the outside of the storage tank 1 and in a direction that makes the operator's manipulation easier. In addition, the present invention provides the possibility of using a part of the storage tank 1, namely the raised portion 14, to adjust the relative position of the inner shell 11 with respect to the outer shell 12, and the raised portion 14 is intended to be hidden in the gap 13 between the inner shell 11 and the outer shell 12.

[0070] Advantageously, after the installation and adjustment operations, the opening 15 in the outer shell 12 is resealed in a fluid-tight manner by a cover, so that once the opening 15 is closed, the raised portion 14 is not visible and inaccessible from the outside of the storage tank 1.

[0071] Advantageously, as Figure 3 Best shown, the inner end caps 112a, 112b may each be provided with centering members 114a, 114b that extend inwardly into the interior of the inner shell 11 along the main direction X of the storage tank 1. Thus, the centering members 114a, 114b (which are the first centering member 114a and the second centering member 114b respectively) are arranged to face each other, and more particularly, are symmetric about the vertical lateral intermediate plane TV of the storage tank 1.

[0072] Note that the members 114a of the first pair and the members 114b of the second pair can be fixed or fastened to the inner end caps 112a, 112b of the inner shell 11 by mounting brackets, which are the first mounting bracket 115a and the second mounting bracket 115b, respectively.

[0073] Still referring to Figure 3 , the outer end caps 122a, 122b of the outer shell 12 are each provided with centering members 124a, 124b, which extend towards the interior of the storage tank 1 in the longitudinal main direction X of the storage tank 1. These centering members, which are the third centering member 124a and the fourth centering member 124b respectively, are arranged to face each other and are preferably symmetric about the vertical transverse middle plane TV of the storage tank 1.

[0074] Note that the third centering member 124a and the fourth centering member 124b can be fixed to the outer end caps 122a, 122b of the outer shell 12 by mounting brackets, which are the third mounting bracket 125a and the fourth mounting bracket 125b respectively.

[0075] The centering members 114a, 114b fixed to the inner end caps 112a, 112b of the inner shell 11 cooperate with the centering members 124a, 124b fixed to the outer end caps 122a, 122b of the outer shell 12, respectively, so as to center the inner shell 11 relative to the outer shell 12. In other words, the centering members 114a, 114b; 124a, 124b cooperate to ensure the coaxial alignment between the inner shell 11 and the outer shell 12.

[0076] More specifically, the first centering member 114a fixed to the inner end cap 112a of the inner shell 11 cooperates with the third centering member 124a fixed to the outer end cap 122a of the outer shell 12. The second centering member 112b fixed to the inner end cap 112b of the inner shell 11 cooperates with the fourth centering member 124b fixed to the outer end cap 122b of the outer shell 12.

[0077] The centering members 114a, 114b; 124a, 124b also help to hold the inner shell 11 in the outer shell 12.

[0078] Advantageously, the inner shell 11 can be provided with at least one lifting lug 116, which is configured to receive a handling cable. In addition, the inner shell 11 can be covered with a heat insulating layer 117.

[0079] Advantageously, as Figure 3As shown, the storage tank 1 may further include a container 16 fixed to the inner shell 11 to form a chamber 17 designed to receive the adsorbent. In particular, the container 16 is fixed to one of the inner end caps 112a, 112b of the inner shell 11. In this example, it is fixed to the inner end cap 112b. The inner shell 11 and the container 16 can thus form a compact sub-assembly that can be covered by the same insulating layer 117.

[0080] Referring to Figure 4 , the container 16 includes a side wall 161 extending along the main direction X of the storage tank 1. The container 16 further includes a base 162 transverse to the side wall 161. The side wall 161 supports the raised portion 14.

[0081] When the container 16 is present inside the storage tank 1, the opening 15 in the outer shell 12 can perform an additional function, namely receiving the adsorbent. In addition, the raised portion 14 can perform an additional function, that is, transferring the adsorbent from the opening 15 in the outer shell 12 to the chamber 17.

[0082] In other words, arranging the container 16 on the inner shell 11 on the one hand and arranging the raised portion 14 on the container 16 on the other hand simplifies the structure of the storage tank 1 by endowing the raised portion 14 with the following dual functions: the function of receiving the device 2 for adjusting the coaxial alignment and the function of allowing the adsorbent to pass through and enter the chamber 17.

[0083] Advantageously, the inner shell 11 is equipped with a pipe 118 for supplying fluid to and / or extracting fluid from the storage cavity 113. The pipe 118 can be installed through one of the inner end caps 112a, 112b. In this example, it is installed through the inner end cap 112a. In addition, the pipe 118 includes, for example, an internal portion extending inside the cavity 113 and an external portion extending outside the cavity 113 in each case.

[0084] It should be noted that the external portion of the pipe 118 can also be installed through one of the outer end caps 122a, 122b of the outer shell 12. In this example, it is installed through the outer end cap 122a.

[0085] Advantageously, the storage tank 1 is preferably equipped with a coupler and / or a valve 18, which is designed to create a vacuum in the gap 13 between the inner shell 11 and the outer shell 12. The valve 18 is located, for example, on one of the outer end caps 122a, 122b of the outer shell 12. In this example, it is located on the outer end cap 122a.

[0086] Advantageously, referring again to Figure 1 , the outer shell 12 may include at least a pair of lugs 127a, 127b located at the outer central portion 121. The lugs 127a, 127b are configured to receive the cables for handling the storage tank 1.

[0087] In the example shown, the outer shell 12 is provided with two pairs of lifting lugs 127a, 127b. These pairs of lifting lugs are located on each side / both sides of the vertical longitudinal central plane LV of the storage tank 1. In each pair of lifting lugs, the lifting lugs 127a, 127b are arranged on each side / both sides of the vertical transverse central plane TV.

[0088] Advantageously, referring to Figure 1 , the outer shell 12 has at least one pair of feet 128a, 128b located in the outer central portion 121. The feet 128a, 128b allow the storage tank 1 to be placed / stationed horizontally on a planar support.

[0089] In the example shown, the outer shell 12 is provided with two pairs of feet 128a, 128b. These pairs of feet are located on each side / both sides of the vertical longitudinal central plane LV. In each pair of feet, the feet 128a, 128b are arranged on each side / both sides of the vertical transverse central plane TV.

[0090] Advantageously, referring to Figure 1 , the outer shell 12 has at least one pair of handling trunnions 129 such that the storage tank 1 can be pivoted from a vertical position to a horizontal position, or vice versa. The trunnions 129 are located at the vertical transverse central plane TV and on each side / both sides of the vertical longitudinal central plane LV.

[0091] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a device 2 for adjusting the relative coaxial alignment of the inner shell 11 and the outer shell 12 of the above-mentioned storage tank 1.

[0092] Referring to Figure 6 , the adjusting device 2 includes a support member 21 extending along the main direction Z. The adjusting device 2 further includes a sleeve 22 mounted through the support member 21 in a direction perpendicular to the main direction Z of the support member 21. Finally, the device 2 includes a handle 23 fixed to the sleeve 22, which handle 23 is intended to be able to rest on the support member 21.

[0093] In particular, the support member 21 is intended to be fixed to the central portion 121 of the outer shell 12 of the storage tank 1. After the support member 21 has been fixed to the central portion 121 of the outer shell 12, the main direction Z of the support member 21 is perpendicular to the main direction X of the storage tank 1 (see Figure 1 ).

[0094] Furthermore, the support member 21 includes a body 211 having two opposite main faces: a first main face 211a is intended for supporting the handle 23, and a second main face 211b is intended for fixing to the central portion 121 of the outer shell 12 of the storage tank 1.

[0095] Finally, the support member 21 includes a passage formed through the body 211 of the support member 21, and the passage is perpendicular to the main direction Z of the support member 21. The passage extends between the main surfaces 211a, 211b of the body 211 of the support member 21. This passage is intended to receive the sleeve 22.

[0096] The sleeve 22 is intended to engage with an opening 15 formed in the outer shell 12 of the storage tank 1 so as to cooperate with the protrusion 14 carried by the inner shell 11.

[0097] The so-called "cooperate" means that the sleeve 22 can be assembled into the protrusion 14 or can slide on the protrusion 14 to achieve relative movement between the sleeve 22 and the protrusion 14 carried by the inner shell 11.

[0098] The relative movement between the sleeve 22 of the adjusting device 2 and the protrusion 14 carried by the inner shell 11 of the storage tank 1 causes relative movement of the inner shell 11 of the storage tank 1 relative to the outer shell 12. This relative movement can be a simple translation or a translation / rotation around the main direction of the sleeve 22, resulting in translational movement of the inner shell 11 relative to the outer shell 12 in the main direction of the sleeve 22.

[0099] The relative movement between the sleeve 22 of the adjusting device 2 and the protrusion 14 carried by the inner shell 11 of the storage tank 1 can be achieved by a first adjusting member formed on the sleeve 22 and a second adjusting member formed on the protrusion 14. In the example shown, the first adjusting member is an external thread on the sleeve 22. The second guiding member is an internal thread (tapped thread) on the protrusion 14.

[0100] The configuration of the guiding members described above (the thread on the sleeve 22 and the internal thread on the protrusion 14) is applicable to the embodiment in which the sleeve 22 is assembled into the protrusion 14 carried by the inner shell 11 of the storage tank 1. In an embodiment (not shown), the sleeve 22 is intended to slide on the protrusion 14 carried by the inner shell 11 of the storage tank 1, the sleeve 22 may have an internal thread, and the protrusion may have an external thread. In both of the above cases, the sleeve 22 is intended to cooperate with the protrusion 14 on the inner shell 11 of the storage tank 1 by threaded fastening.

[0101] In order to enable translational movement of the inner shell 11 of the storage tank 1 relative to the outer shell 12, other types of adjusting members (or connection types) can be envisaged to be provided between the sleeve 22 and the protrusion 14. For example, one of the sleeve 22 and the protrusion 14 may include a stud in the form of an adjusting member. The other of the sleeve 22 and the protrusion 14 may include a slot in the form of an adjusting member. The slot is intended to receive the stud in a bayonet connection manner, for example.

[0102] Advantageously, the upper end of the sleeve 22 is fitted with a fixing plate 24. This plate 24 is reversibly fixed to the support 21 by means of a connecting member. In the example shown, the connecting member comprises screws extending parallel to the sleeve 22.

[0103] Thus, the connecting member fixes the sleeve 22 to the support 21, for example for the purpose of transporting and / or storing the adjusting device 2. In other words, when the adjusting device 2 is not in use, the connecting member prevents any movement of the sleeve 22 relative to the support 21.

[0104] In order to use the adjusting device 2, and in particular to allow the sleeve 22 to move relative to the support 21 and the projection 14, the connecting member connecting the sleeve 22 and the support 21 must be removed.

[0105] The handle 23 comprises a rod portion 231 passing through the sleeve 22 and a bow-shaped / curved portion 232 connected to the rod portion 231. In particular, the rod portion 231 is intended to rest on one of the main faces 211a, 211b of the support 21, in this case the main face 211a. The bow-shaped portion 232 forms a graspable member intended to make it easier to move the sleeve 22 relative to the projection 14.

[0106] In order to receive the support 21 of the adjusting device 2, the outer casing 12 of the storage tank 1 is provided with at least two radial projections 126.

[0107] In particular, the radial projections 126 are located at the outer central part 121 of the outer casing 12 (see in particular Figure 1 and Figure 2 ). In addition, these radial projections 126 extend along the outer peripheral / cylindrical surface of the outer central part 121 of the outer casing 12. Finally, these radial projections 126 are angularly offset from one another about the main direction X of the storage tank 1.

[0108] Advantageously, the radial projections 126 are symmetric with respect to the vertical longitudinal median plane LV of the storage tank 1.

[0109] See Figure 2 , each radial projection 126 comprises an outer branch 126a and an inner branch 126b, which two branches are interconnected by a bridging portion 126c. On each radial projection 126, the outer branch 126a and the inner branch 126b are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the bridging portion 126c. The bridging portion 126c is formed with a flat seating surface capable of receiving the support 21 of the adjusting device 2. For this purpose, the height of the inner branch 126b is less than the height of the outer branch 126a.

[0110] When considering any two points located in the vertical transverse plane, the terms "inner" and "outer" are defined relative to the vertical longitudinal middle plane LV of the storage tank 1. Thus, the term "inner" refers to the point closest to the vertical longitudinal middle plane LV. The term "outer" refers to the point furthest from the vertical longitudinal middle plane LV.

[0111] To assemble the storage tank 1 described above, the present invention introduces an assembly method using the coaxial alignment adjustment device 2 described above.

[0112] The first step of this method is to close the first end of the outer shell 12 by fitting the first outer end cap 122b. This results in an outer shell 12 that is open at the opposite second end. The open outer shell 12 is shown in Figure 7 shown.

[0113] In Figure 8 、 Figure 9 In the second step shown, the (assembled) inner shell 11 is positioned facing the open outer shell 12, particularly above the outer shell 12, and then gradually inserted into the outer shell 12.

[0114] For the purpose of this second step, the open outer shell 12 can be arranged perpendicular to the ground. The closed end of the outer shell 12 occupies the lowest position, while the open end of the outer shell 12 occupies the highest position. The corresponding centering members 114b, 124b of the inner end cap 112b of the inner shell 11 and the outer end cap 121b of the outer shell 12 cooperate to center the inner shell 11 relative to the outer shell 12.

[0115] Advantageously, before this second step, the method can provide the operation of fixing the container 16 to the inner shell 11 of the storage tank 1, and the operation of covering the sub-assembly formed by the inner shell 11 and the container 16 with the insulating layer 117.

[0116] In the third step, the adjustment device 2 is installed through the opening 15 in the outer shell 12. Thus, the sleeve 22 of the adjustment device 2 cooperates with the protrusion 14 carried by the inner shell 11.

[0117] In the fourth step, the position of the inner shell 11 relative to the outer shell 12 is adjusted by moving one of the inner shell 11 and the outer shell 12 relative to the other in a direction perpendicular to the main direction X of the storage tank 1. This alignment attempts to align the inner shell 11 and the outer shell 12 on the same axis, that is, on the main axis X of the storage tank 1. In other words, this adjustment attempts to make the inner shell 11 and the outer shell 12 coaxial.

[0118] It should be noted that the adjustment of the position of the inner shell 11 relative to the outer shell can be carried out by tightening / loosening the sleeve 22 of the adjustment device 2 relative to the protrusion 14 carried by the inner shell 11 of the storage tank 1. This tightening / loosening generates a traction force on the inner shell 11 in the main direction of the sleeve 22, thereby tending to move the inner shell 11 relative to the outer shell 12 in the main direction of the sleeve.

[0119] Once the inner shell 11 and the outer shell 12 are coaxial, the method may provide an additional step in which the storage tank 1 can be pivoted to a horizontal position (see Figure 10 ). During this step, the inner shell 11 and the outer shell 12 remain coaxial by adjusting the fit between the sleeve 22 of the adjusting device 2 and the projection 14.

[0120] In step five, the end of the outer shell 12 that has so far remained open is closed by fitting the second outer end cap 122a. This results in a completely enclosed outer shell 12 that houses the inner shell 11 and the container 16.

[0121] In the case where the storage tank 1 is arranged horizontally, the method provides step six, during which the outer end caps 122a, 122b can be welded to the outer central part 121 of the outer shell 12 for permanent connection. Welding on a horizontally arranged storage tank 1 is easier than welding on a vertically arranged storage tank.

[0122] Finally, after welding the outer end caps 122a, 122b to the outer central part 121 of the outer shell 12, the adjusting device 2 can be removed from the storage tank 1. Then, the opening 15 leading to the projection 14 can be resealed by a plug (not shown), thereby hiding the projection 14.

Claims

1. A storage tank (1) for storing a liquefied fluid, such as liquid hydrogen, comprising an inner shell (11) intended to contain the liquefied fluid and an outer shell (12) intended to protect the inner shell (11), the inner shell (11) and the outer shell (12) being separated by a gap (13) provided with an insulation system, the inner shell (11) and the outer shell (12) respectively comprising an inner tubular central portion (111) and an outer tubular central portion (121) extending along a main direction (X) of the storage tank (1), the inner shell (11) and the outer shell (12) each further comprising two opposite end covers, i.e. the inner shell comprises two opposite inner end covers (112a, 112b), and the outer shell comprises two opposite outer end covers (122a, 122b), The tank further comprises a protrusion (14) carried by the inner shell (11), the protrusion extending in a gap (13) between the inner shell (11) and the outer shell (12) in a direction perpendicular to the main direction (X), the protrusion (14) being accessible from a resealable opening (15) on the outer shell (12), the protrusion (14) being configured to cooperate with a third-party device (2) so as to drive the inner shell (11) and the outer shell (12) to move relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the main direction (X), It is characterized in that The storage tank comprises a container (16) fixed to the inner shell (11), the container and the inner shell (11) together forming a chamber (17) intended to receive the adsorbent, the protrusion (14) is formed on the container (16), and a channel is formed for the adsorbent to enter the chamber (17) from the opening (15) on the outer shell (12).

2. The storage tank (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The protrusion (14) is configured to be able to cooperate with a third-party device (2) by screw fastening, and the protrusion (14) has an internal thread or an external thread intended to cooperate with an external thread or an internal thread belonging to the third-party device (2).

3. The storage tank (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The container (16) is located at one of the inner end covers (112a, 112b) of the inner shell (11), and the container (16) includes a side wall (161) extending along the main direction (X) and a base (162) transverse to the side wall (161), and the protrusion (14) extends from the side wall (161) of the container (16).

4. Storage tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The two inner end covers (112a, 112b) of the inner shell (1) each carry a first centering member (114a, 114b) extending along the main direction (X), and the two outer end covers (122a, 122b) of the outer shell (12) each carry a second centering member (124a, 124b) extending along the main direction (X), and one of the corresponding centering members (114a, 114b; 124a, 124b) of the inner end cover (112a, 112b) and the outer end cover (122a, 122b) located at the same end of the storage tank (1) is assembled inside the other.

5. Storage tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The housing (12) is provided with at least one protrusion (126) intended for receiving the third-party device (2), the at least one protrusion (126) being formed on the housing (12) near the opening (15) and comprising an outer branch (126a) and an inner branch (126b), the outer branch (126a) and the inner branch (126b) being connected to each other by a bridge portion (126c), the bridge portion forming a flat seating surface intended for receiving the third-party device (2), the inner branch (126b) being shorter than the outer branch (126a).

6. An adjustment device (2) for adjusting the coaxial alignment, intended for use in a tank (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the adjustment device (2) comprising: - a support (21) extending in a main direction (Z); - a sleeve (22) configured to be mounted through a passage in the support (21) in a direction perpendicular to the main direction (Z), the sleeve (22) comprising a first end provided with adjustment means, such as a thread; - a handle (23) fixed to the sleeve (22), the handle being intended for turning the sleeve (22) relative to the support (21) when the adjustment device (2) is in use, the handle (23) and the adjustment member being respectively located on either side of the support (21) along the main direction (Z); - a connecting member configured to reversibly fix the sleeve (22) to the support (21) in order to facilitate storage and / or transportation of the adjustment device (2).

7. The adjustment device (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that The sleeve (22) has a second end provided with a plate (24), the connecting member being configured for fixing the plate (24) to the support (21).

8. The adjustment device (2) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that The support (21) comprises a main body (211) comprising two opposite main faces: a first main face (211a) and a second main face (211b), wherein the channel intended for receiving the sleeve (22) extends between the two main faces (211a, 211b) of the support (21).

9. An apparatus comprising a storage tank (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and a regulating device (2) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that: The support member (21) of the adjusting device (2) is configured to rest on the outer shell (12) of the storage tank (1), the sleeve (22) of the adjusting device (2) is configured to engage in an opening (15) formed on the outer shell (12) of the storage tank (1) so as to cooperate with a protrusion (14) carried by the inner shell (11) of the storage tank (1), and the handle (23) of the adjusting device (2) is configured to drive the sleeve (22) to move relative to the protrusion (14).

10. A method for assembling a storage tank (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, using a regulating device (2) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, the method comprising: - a step of closing a first end of the housing (12) by fitting a first outer end cap (122b) to form the housing (12) open at an opposite second end; - a step of inserting the inner shell (11) into the open outer shell (12); - a step of inserting the adjustment device (2) through the opening (15) in the outer shell (12) so as to cause cooperation between the sleeve (22) of the adjustment device (2) and the projection (14) carried by the inner shell (11); - a step of adjusting the relative coaxial alignment of the inner shell (11) and the outer shell (12) by means of a relative movement between a sleeve (22) of the adjustment device (2) and a projection (14) carried by the inner shell (11); - A step of closing the second end of the housing (12) by fitting a second outer end cap (122a).

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