Tension suspension system of low-temperature container

Abstract

According to the tension suspension system of the low-temperature container, the suspension assemblies of the tension suspension system are made of high-strength and low-heat-conduction non-metal materials, and the sixteen suspension assemblies are evenly distributed on the front face and the rear face of the low-temperature container in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction correspondingly; the displacement of the inner container in each direction is restrained in space; a heat sink copper braid is arranged in the middle of the hanging assembly, and the outer surface of a non-metal ring is wrapped with aluminum foil, so that heat leakage caused by heat transfer can be effectively blocked; the multiple suspension assemblies of the tension suspension system have pre-tightening force during installation and comprise locking mechanisms, the tension suspension system can adapt to different working conditions, and the parameters such as the installation angle and strength of the multiple suspension assemblies can be adjusted according to the actual balance weight and the internal structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of cryogenic liquid storage and transportation technology, further to a cryogenic container, and more specifically to a tension suspension system for a cryogenic container. Background Technology

[0002] Equipment used for storing and transporting cryogenic liquids is called a cryogenic container, such as various containers for storing liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen, liquid hydrogen, or liquid helium. Its main function is to store and maintain the temperature of cryogenic liquids. Since cryogenic containers typically hold cryogenic liquids with temperatures below 120K, there is a significant temperature difference between the medium and the surrounding environment (usually around 300K), resulting in substantial heat leakage from the external environment to the cryogenic liquid inside the container. To reduce heat leakage, maintain the cryogenic state of the liquid, and minimize evaporation, cryogenic containers employ insulation. Since heat transfer mainly occurs through convection, conduction, and radiation, the purpose of cryogenic insulation is to reduce the heat transferred to the cryogenic liquid through these three methods to the lowest possible level, thereby maintaining the normal operation of the cryogenic container and reducing evaporation. Heat leakage in cryogenic containers mainly consists of two parts: radiative heat leakage through the insulation material and solid-borne thermal conductivity leakage through components such as supports, chains, booms, suspensions, neck tubes, pipes, and signal lines.

[0003] In the vacuum insulation design of cryogenic containers, the suspension of the inner container to the outer container via a support system is a crucial aspect of the design. A poorly insulated support system often results in significant heat conduction and leakage, causing the cryogenic container to fail to meet design and operational requirements. Simultaneously, the support system for the inner container must withstand the weight of the liquid within and various impacts during storage and transportation. Therefore, the suspension components of the support system should possess high strength, while simultaneously, to meet heat leakage requirements, their material should have a minimal thermal conductivity.

[0004] Prior art CN202223470596.0 discloses a support structure for a cryogenic storage and transportation container and a cryogenic container having the same, as shown in the schematic diagram. Figure 1 and 2As shown. The existing cryogenic storage and transportation container support structure has the following features: it includes a support sleeve 1, a first flange 2 connected to one end of the support sleeve 1, a second flange 3 connected to the other end of the support sleeve 1, a first end cap 4 (not shown in the figure) connected to the first flange 2, and a second end cap 5 connected to the second flange 3. The support sleeve 1 has several through holes on its wall. A cryogenic container with the above support structure is also provided, including an inner container 8 and an outer container 9. The inner container 8 and the outer container 9 are interconnected at their front and rear ends through the cryogenic storage and transportation container support structure. Several baffles 10 with through holes are provided inside the inner container, which can reduce heat exchange at the support part and reduce the impact of liquid in the storage tank during transportation.

[0005] However, the cryogenic container support structure described in this prior art uses metal materials and has a short heat transfer distance, resulting in extremely high heat leakage. Furthermore, the structure is complex and has multiple welds, which are prone to defects and deformation. Various vibrations during the long-term use of the cryogenic container can lead to a decrease in the strength of the support structure, ultimately causing the cryogenic container to fail and become unable to function properly. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to solve the aforementioned technical problems of reduced support strength and heat leakage in the inner container of cryogenic containers, and thereby provides a tension suspension system for cryogenic containers. The specific details of the invention are as follows: This invention provides a tension suspension system for a cryogenic container, the cryogenic container including an inner container and an outer container. The tension suspension system includes multiple suspension components to fix the inner container to the outer container. Each suspension component includes a non-metallic ring, a suspension seat, a locking nut, a suspension bolt, and a suspension connecting block. The non-metallic ring is a flat, round, closed ring with two parallel straight line segments in the middle and a semi-circular arc at each end. One end of the non-metallic ring is connected to a base hook on the outer surface of the inner container, and the other end of the non-metallic ring is fixed with a semi-circular suspension connecting block that matches the semi-circular arc at the end. A suspension bolt is provided on the connecting block, and a locking nut with internal threads is fitted on the suspension bolt. A suspension seat is installed on the outer container. After passing through the locking nut, the suspension bolt enters the mounting hole on the suspension seat, so that the locking nut is located between the suspension seat and the suspension connecting block, thereby connecting the inner container and the outer container through the suspension components.

[0007] Furthermore, each suspension assembly is provided with a heat sink copper braid in the middle, and a pre-drilled connector with holes is provided at the end of the heat sink copper braid to connect the connector to the thermal radiation aluminum screen of the cryogenic container by bolts or rivets.

[0008] Furthermore, the surface of the non-metallic ring is wrapped with aluminum foil to reduce heat conduction and leakage from the external environment directly to the inner container.

[0009] Furthermore, the non-metallic ring is made of a non-metallic material with high strength and low thermal conductivity.

[0010] Furthermore, the non-metallic material is carbon fiber or glass fiber.

[0011] Furthermore, the locking nut is a preload nut. By rotating the locking nut to push the suspension connecting block outward, the suspension assembly can be preloaded, thereby applying a preload force when installing the suspension assembly.

[0012] Furthermore, it can be loaded with a preload force of over 100KN.

[0013] The present invention also provides a cryogenic container, including an inner container and an outer container, wherein the tension suspension system of the cryogenic container described above is provided between the inner container and the outer container.

[0014] Furthermore, the multiple suspension components in the tension suspension system are symmetrically distributed along the front-rear direction of the cryogenic container. Four groups of a total of sixteen suspension components are evenly arranged in the front and rear of the cryogenic container along the up-down and left-right directions, respectively, thereby constraining the displacement of the inner container in various directions.

[0015] The tension suspension system of the cryogenic container of the present invention uses high-strength and low-thermal-conductivity non-metallic materials to make the suspension components of the cryogenic container. By uniformly distributing four groups of sixteen suspension components in the vertical and horizontal directions at the front and rear of the cryogenic container, the displacement of the inner container in various directions is constrained in space. The suspension components are provided with heat sink copper braids in the middle and the outer surface of the non-metallic rings is wrapped with aluminum foil, which can effectively block heat leakage caused by heat transfer. The multiple suspension components of the tension suspension system are pre-tightened during installation and include a locking mechanism, which can adapt to different working conditions. Moreover, the installation angle and strength parameters of the multiple suspension components can be adjusted according to the actual counterweight and internal structure. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 : Schematic diagram of existing cryogenic container structure; Figure 2 : Schematic diagram of existing cryogenic container fixed support structure; Figure 3 : A front view of the tension suspension system of the cryogenic container of the present invention; Figure 4Side view of the tension suspension system of the cryogenic container of the present invention; Figure 5 : A schematic diagram of the structure of a single suspension component in the tension suspension system of the cryogenic container of the present invention.

[0018] Figure label: 1: Support sleeve; 2: First flange; 3: Second flange; 4: First end cap; 5: Second end cap; 6: First support sleeve; 7: Second support sleeve; 8: Inner container; 9: Outer container; 10: Baffle plate; 20: Suspension assembly; 21: Inner container; 22: Outer container; 23: Non-metallic ring; 24: Heat-sinked copper braid; 25: Suspension seat; 26: Locking nut; 27: Suspension bolt; 28: Suspension connecting block. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is obvious that the described embodiments are merely some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a front view of a tension suspension system for a cryogenic container according to the present invention. The tension suspension system is based on eight groups of sixteen suspension components 20 that support the inner container 21 of the cryogenic container and fix the inner container 21 to the outer container 22. Figure 3 As can be seen, there are four groups of eight suspension components 20 evenly distributed along the vertical and horizontal directions on the front; combined with Figure 4 As shown in the side view of the tension suspension system of the cryogenic container of the present invention, the suspension components 20 are symmetrically distributed along the front-to-back direction, and four sets of eight suspension components 20 are also evenly distributed along the up-down and left-to-right directions at the rear, thereby constraining the displacement of the inner container 21 in all directions. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize that for small cryogenic containers with a small axial distance, the number can be appropriately reduced, for example, by adjusting it to two sets of eight suspension components 20 at the front and two sets at the rear.

[0021] like Figure 5As shown, the specific structure of a single suspension component 20 in the tension suspension system of the cryogenic container of the present invention is illustrated. It includes a non-metallic ring 23, a heat-sink copper braid 24, a suspension seat 25, a locking nut 26, a suspension bolt 27, and a suspension connecting block 28. The non-metallic ring 23 is made of materials such as carbon fiber or glass fiber, and is specifically a flat, round closed ring similar to a racetrack ring, with two parallel straight line segments in the middle (the "straight edges" of the closed ring) and a semi-circular arc at each end (the "arc edges" of the closed ring). One end of the non-metallic ring 23 is connected to a base hook (not shown) on the outer surface of the inner container 21. The other end of the non-metallic ring 23 is fixed with a semi-circular suspension connecting block 28 that matches the semi-circular arc shape of its end. A suspension bolt 27 is welded or integrally formed on the suspension connecting block 28. A locking nut 26 with internal threads is fitted on the suspension bolt 27, and the locking nut 26 can be screwed into the suspension bolt 27. A suspension seat 25 is installed on the outer container 21. After passing through the locking nut 26, the suspension bolt 27 enters the mounting hole on the suspension seat 25. Thus, the inner container 21 and the outer container 22 are connected and fixed through the suspension assembly 20. The locking nut 26 installed on the suspension seat 25 is a preload nut. Rotating the locking nut 26 to push the suspension connecting block 28 outward can achieve preload of the suspension assembly 20. Thus, a very strong preload force is applied when installing the suspension assembly 20, ensuring that the inner container 21 will not shift when the cryogenic container encounters various working conditions during normal use.

[0022] The non-metallic material selected for the non-metallic ring 23 needs to have extremely low thermal conductivity and extremely high strength, so as to ensure the suspension strength while minimizing heat conduction and leakage. A heat sink copper braid 24 is provided in the middle of the suspension assembly 20, and a pre-fabricated connector with holes (not shown) is made at the end of the heat sink copper braid 24. The connector is connected to the thermal radiation aluminum screen (not shown) of the cryogenic container with bolts or rivets. Aluminum foil is wrapped around the surface of the non-metallic ring 23 to reduce heat conduction and leakage from the external environment to the inner container 21.

[0023] When the inner container 21 cools from room temperature (around 300K) to operating temperature (<120K), it will undergo cryogenic contraction. This increases the preload on the suspension assembly 20, enhancing the stability of the tension suspension system and allowing the cryogenic container to easily handle various complex operating conditions. The preload on the suspension assembly 20 is applied by rotating the locking nut 26 using a torque wrench or hydraulic tool. A maximum preload of over 100KN can be applied. Finally, the locking nut 26 is tightened using a torque wrench.

[0024] The tension suspension system for the cryogenic container of the present invention has the characteristics of simple structure, low heat leakage, high strength, stable system, convenient installation and low cost. The key technical points of the present invention are: (1) using high-strength, low-thermal-conductivity non-metallic materials (e.g., carbon fiber or glass fiber) to make the support for the inner container 21 of the cryogenic container; (2) constraining the displacement of the inner container 21 in each direction in space by means of eight sets of suspensions evenly distributed in the vertical and horizontal directions; (3) setting a heat sink copper braid in the middle of the suspension assembly 20 and wrapping the outer surface of the non-metallic ring 23 with aluminum foil, which can effectively block heat leakage caused by heat transfer; (4) the multiple suspension assemblies 20 of the tension suspension system are pre-tightened and include a locking mechanism during installation, which can adapt to different working conditions; (5) the installation angle and strength parameters of the multiple suspension assemblies 20 in the tension suspension system can be adjusted according to the actual counterweight and internal structure.

[0025] The tension suspension system for cryogenic containers of this invention has its suspension component 20's installation angle, preload, strength, deformation, and other parameters determined through rigorous theoretical calculations to meet various operating conditions during cryogenic container use. The tension suspension system for cryogenic containers has a simple structure, is easy to install, and significantly improves production efficiency.

[0026] The tension suspension system for a cryogenic container provided by this invention has been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this invention. The descriptions of the embodiments above are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this invention. For those skilled in the art, the technical solutions of this invention are not limited to the solutions defined in the specific embodiments. Technical solutions formed by other modifications that can be obviously achieved based on ordinary technical knowledge in the art are all within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A tension suspension system for a cryogenic container, the cryogenic container comprising an inner container and an outer container, the tension suspension system comprising a plurality of suspension assemblies for fixing the inner container to the outer container, wherein each suspension assembly comprises a non-metallic ring, a suspension seat, a locking nut, a suspension bolt, and a suspension connecting block; the non-metallic ring is a flat, round, closed ring with two parallel straight line segments in the middle and a semi-circular arc at each end; one end of the non-metallic ring is connected to a base hook on the outer surface of the inner container, and the other end of the non-metallic ring is fixed with a semi-circular suspension connecting block that matches the semi-circular arc at its end; a suspension bolt is provided on the suspension connecting block, and a locking nut with internal threads is fitted on the suspension bolt; a suspension seat is installed on the outer container, and the suspension bolt, after passing through the locking nut, enters a mounting hole on the suspension seat, such that the locking nut is located between the suspension seat and the suspension connecting block, thereby connecting the inner container and the outer container through the suspension assemblies.

2. The tension suspension system for a cryogenic container as described in claim 1, characterized in that: Each suspension assembly has a heat-sink copper braid in the middle, and pre-drilled perforated connectors at the ends of the heat-sink copper braids to connect the connectors to the thermal radiation aluminum screen of the cryogenic container by bolts or rivets.

3. The tension suspension system for a cryogenic container as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the non-metallic ring is wrapped with aluminum foil to reduce heat conduction and leakage from the external environment directly to the inner container.

4. The tension suspension system for a cryogenic container as described in any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that: The non-metallic ring is made of a non-metallic material with high strength and low thermal conductivity.

5. The tension suspension system for a cryogenic container as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The non-metallic material is carbon fiber or glass fiber.

6. The tension suspension system for a cryogenic container as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The locking nut is a preload nut. By rotating the locking nut to push the suspension connecting block outward, the suspension assembly can be preloaded, thereby applying a preload force when installing the suspension assembly.

7. The tension suspension system for a cryogenic container as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The preload of the suspension assembly is applied by rotating the locking nut using a torque wrench or hydraulic tool.

8. The tension suspension system for a cryogenic container as described in claim 7, characterized in that: It can be loaded with a preload force of over 100KN.

9. A cryogenic container, comprising an inner container and an outer container, wherein a tension suspension system for a cryogenic container as described in any one of claims 1-8 is provided between the inner container and the outer container.

10. The cryogenic container as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plurality of suspension components in the tension suspension system are symmetrically distributed along the front-rear direction of the cryogenic container, and four groups of a total of sixteen suspension components are evenly arranged in the front and rear of the cryogenic container along the up-down and left-right directions, thereby constraining the displacement of the inner container in each direction.

Images