Cryogenic fluid storage unit and corresponding manufacturing process
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE112023005159
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-12-14
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-12
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-25
AI Technical Summary
Cryogenic fluid storage units face challenges in achieving effective thermal insulation, particularly at the proximal suspension where the space for insulation is extremely small, leading to inefficiencies in radiative heat transfer between the external and internal tubes.
Incorporating a proximal thermal insulation system with a thermally insulating sleeve and a blocking element that elastically urges the sleeve against either the external or internal tube surfaces, preventing the sleeve from forming a thermal bridge and enhancing insulation by using a perforated blocking tube with selective fixings to manage diameter and reduce heat transfer.
The solution significantly improves thermal insulation at the proximal suspension by minimizing radiative heat transfer between the external and internal tubes, maintaining the sleeve's effectiveness without forming thermal bridges and ensuring efficient heat management.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[0001] TITLE: Cryogenic fluid storage unit and corresponding manufacturing method
[0002] The invention generally relates to a cryogenic fluid storage unit.
[0003] Such a storage unit typically comprises an internal tank, internally delimiting a volume for receiving the cryogenic fluid, and an external tank in which the internal tank is housed.
[0004] The storage unit further includes a suspension, with a proximal suspension connecting a proximal end of the inner reservoir to the outer reservoir, and a distal suspension connecting the distal end of the inner reservoir to the outer reservoir.
[0005] It is possible to provide that the proximal suspension comprises an outer tube rigidly fixed to the proximal end of the inner reservoir, an inner tube arranged in the outer tube and connected to the outer reservoir, and a plug connecting the inner tube to the outer tube.
[0006] The outer tube has a first end rigidly attached to the peripheral edge of an orifice provided in the proximal end of the inner reservoir. It extends inside the inner reservoir. It is in contact with the cryogenic fluid stored in the receiving volume. The cap closes the second end of the outer tube.
[0007] The inner tube has a first end extending through the orifice at the proximal end of the inner reservoir, and a second end directly connected to the cap. This second end is also closed by the cap.
[0008] In order to limit radiative heat transfer between the external tank and the internal tank, a layer of insulating material is placed on the internal tank, completely enveloping it.
[0009] To perfect the thermal insulation, it is also necessary to reduce the radiative transfers between the outer tube and the inner tube of the proximal suspension. The arrangement of thermal insulation between the two tubes is particularly delicate, because the space available to insert this thermal insulation is extremely limited.
[0010] In this context, the invention aims to propose a cryogenic fluid storage unit in which the thermal insulation of the proximal suspension is particularly good.
[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a cryogenic fluid storage unit, the storage unit comprising: - an internal reservoir, internally delimiting a volume for receiving the cryogenic fluid, the internal reservoir having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end;
[0012] - an external tank, in which the internal tank is housed;
[0013] - a suspension, comprising a proximal suspension connecting the proximal end of the internal reservoir to the external reservoir, the proximal suspension comprising an external tube rigidly fixed to the proximal end of the internal reservoir, an internal tube arranged in the external tube and connected to the external reservoir, and a plug connecting the internal tube to the external tube; the proximal suspension comprising proximal thermal insulation interposed radially between the external tube and the internal tube, the proximal thermal insulation comprising a thermally insulating sleeve and at least one locking element having a central axis and elastically urging the sleeve against an internal surface of the external tube or against an external surface of the internal tube.
[0014] The proximal thermal insulation interposed radially between the outer tube and the inner tube limits radiative transfers between the outer tube and the inner tube. This proximal thermal insulation is pressed against the outer tube or against the inner tube by the blocking element.
[0015] It is thus held in place, without the risk of the thermally insulating sleeve forming a thermal bridge between the outer tube and the inner tube.
[0016] The sleeve could create a thermal bridge if it were deformed and had one part touching the outer tube and one part touching the inner tube. This risk is eliminated by the presence of the blocking tube.
[0017] Thermal insulation at the proximal suspension level is thus improved.
[0018] The cryogenic fluid storage unit may further have one or more of the following characteristics, considered individually or in all technically possible combinations:
[0019] - the locking element has lugs at one axial end facing the plug;
[0020] - the blocking element has the shape of a blocking tube having a determined external surface area, the blocking tube preferably being perforated in a proportion of between 50% and 99% of its external surface area;
[0021] - the locking tube has a slot delimited by two opposite axial edges, the slot extending over an entire axial length of the locking tube, the locking tube comprising fasteners capable of being selectively locked or released, the two axial edges of the locking tube being free with respect to each other when the fasteners are released and being fixed to each other when the fasteners are locked;
[0022] - the outer tube has an internal diameter, the sleeve having a sleeve thickness, the locking tube having, at rest, when the fasteners are released, a diameter at rest, the diameter at rest of the locking tube plus twice the sleeve thickness being greater than the internal diameter of the outer tube;
[0023] - the locking tube has, when the fasteners are locked, a reduced diameter greater than the external diameter of the internal tube, the reduced diameter of the locking tube plus twice the sleeve thickness being less than the internal diameter of the external tube;
[0024] - the locking element is pressed against a radially internal surface of the sleeve, a protective tube being pressed against a radially external surface of the sleeve;
[0025] - the sleeve is not in contact with the internal tube and / or with the cap.
[0026] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a storage unit having the above characteristics, which method comprises the following steps:
[0027] - obtaining the internal tank, the internal tube, the external tube, the cap, and the blocking tube;
[0028] - assembly of the inner tank, inner tube, outer tube and cap to each other;
[0029] - placing the sleeve around the locking tube;
[0030] - locking of the fasteners;
[0031] - insertion of the sleeve and the locking tube between the inner tube and the outer tube;
[0032] - release of the bindings.
[0033] The manufacturing process may further have the following characteristics:
[0034] - at the stage of placing the sleeve around the blocking tube, the blocking tube is constrained to an intermediate diameter equal to the internal diameter of the external tube plus twice the sleeve thickness, plus or minus 10%.
[0035] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description given below, for information purposes only and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended figures, among which:
[0036] Figure 1 is an axial sectional view of the cryogenic fluid storage unit;
[0037] Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the inner reservoir proximal end suspension of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the thermal insulation blocking tube of the suspension of Figure 2.
[0038] The storage unit 1 shown in Figure 1 is intended to store a cryogenic fluid. Cryogenic fluid is understood to mean a fluid at a very low temperature, which is at least partially in the liquid state inside the storage unit.
[0039] This fluid is typically hydrogen. Alternatively, the fluid is helium, nitrogen, a natural gas such as CFL methane, air, or any other suitable fluid.
[0040] This storage unit is typically intended to be mounted on board a vehicle having an electrically powered motor, for example a motor vehicle, a train, a boat or any other vehicle.
[0041] A motor vehicle is, for example, a car, a utility vehicle, a truck, etc.
[0042] The storage unit 1 is typically intended to power a fuel cell. The fuel cell is configured to generate electricity and power the electric propulsion motor of the vehicle.
[0043] The storage unit 1 comprises an internal tank 3, internally delimiting a volume 5 for receiving the cryogenic fluid, an external tank 7 in which the internal tank 3 is housed, and a suspension 9.
[0044] The suspension 9 is provided for fixing the internal tank 3 to the external tank 7.
[0045] In the example shown, the internal reservoir 3 has a horizontal central axis C.
[0046] It comprises a ferrule 11, closed at its two axial ends by bottoms 13.
[0047] The ferrule 11 is cylindrical, centered on the central axis C.
[0048] The external tank 7 also has a horizontal axis.
[0049] It comprises a ferrule 15 surrounding the ferrule 11 of the internal tank, closed at its two ends by bottoms 17 placed opposite the bottoms 13 of the internal tank 3.
[0050] The ferrule 15 is cylindrical, centered on the central axis C.
[0051] The internal tank 3 and the external tank 7 delimit between them an intermediate space 19 maintained under a high vacuum. This vacuum is typically of the order of 10 -5millibars, so as to greatly limit the heat transfer by convection from the external tank 7 to the internal tank 3.
[0052] Thermal insulation 21 is interposed between the internal tank 3 and the external tank 7. The thermal insulation 21 is typically placed on the external surface of the internal tank 3. The thermal insulation 21 comprises, for example, a plurality of metal sheets superimposed on each other, with an interposition of layers of fibers.
[0053] The suspension 9 is arranged such that the entire weight of the internal tank 3 is taken up by the external tank 7 via the suspension 9.
[0054] The weight of the internal tank 3 is understood here to include the weight of the cryogenic fluid stored in the internal tank 3.
[0055] The accelerations experienced by the internal tank 3 and the cryogenic fluid contained in the internal tank 3 are also transmitted to the external tank 7 via the suspension 9.
[0056] When the storage unit 1 is mounted in a vehicle, these accelerations result from changes in direction of the vehicle, braking applied to the vehicle, acceleration of the vehicle, roughness or irregularities in the road, or even shocks applied to the vehicle.
[0057] The internal reservoir 3 has a proximal end 22P, and a distal end 22D opposite the proximal end 22P.
[0058] In the example shown, the proximal and distal ends correspond to the two bottoms 13 of the internal reservoir 3.
[0059] The suspension 9 comprises a proximal suspension 23P connecting the proximal end 22P of the internal reservoir 3 to the external reservoir 7.
[0060] Similarly, the suspension 9 comprises a distal suspension 23D connecting the distal end 22D of the internal reservoir 3 to the external reservoir 7.
[0061] Typically, the 23P proximal suspension and the 23D distal suspension are identical to each other. Only the 23P proximal suspension will be described below.
[0062] The proximal suspension 23P, as seen in Figure 2, comprises an outer tube 25 rigidly attached to the proximal end 22P of the inner reservoir 3, an inner tube 27 arranged in the outer tube 25 and connected to the outer reservoir 7, and a plug 29 connecting the inner tube 27 to the outer tube 25.
[0063] The outer tube 25 is typically coaxial with the central axis C.
[0064] It has a first end 31 rigidly fixed to a ring 33, itself integral with the edge of an orifice 35 provided at the proximal end 22P of the internal reservoir 3.
[0065] The outer tube 25 has a second end 36, opposite the first end 31, rigidly fixed to the cap 29.
[0066] The outer tube 25, perpendicular to the central axis C, is typically of circular section.
[0067] It has a substantially constant section over its entire axial length. The external tube 25 extends from the proximal end 22P towards the interior of the internal reservoir 3. The plug 29 is therefore also located inside the internal reservoir 3.
[0068] The inner tube 27 is coaxial with the central axis C.
[0069] It has a first end 37 rigidly fixed to a ring 39. The ring 39 is connected to the external reservoir 7, by means of the cup 41. The ring 39 is rigidly fixed to the edge of an orifice 43, made in the cup 41.
[0070] The inner tube 27 has a second end 45, rigidly fixed to the cap 29.
[0071] The plug 29 closes both the external tube 25 and the internal tube 27. It has a solid bottom 47, carrying two concentric annular ribs 49, 51.
[0072] The outer tube 25 is rigidly fixed to the radially outer rib 49.
[0073] The inner tube 27 is rigidly fixed to the radially inner rib 51.
[0074] As seen in Figure 2, the proximal suspension 23P comprises a proximal thermal insulation 53P interposed radially between the outer tube 25 and the inner tube 27.
[0075] The proximal thermal insulation 53P is slid into the cylindrical gap 55 delimited between the external tube 25 and the internal tube 27.
[0076] The proximal thermal insulation 53P comprises a thermally insulating sleeve 57 and a blocking element 59.
[0077] The locking element 59 elastically biases the sleeve 57 against an internal surface 61 of the external tube 25.
[0078] The sleeve 57 is tubular, coaxial with the central axis C.
[0079] It is made up in substantially the same way as the thermal insulation 21 placed on the internal tank 3.
[0080] It thus comprises a plurality of metal sheets superimposed radially on each other, with interposition of layers of fibers.
[0081] The metal layers are substantially cylindrical, coaxial with the central axis C, and stacked radially on top of each other, with interposition of the fiber layers.
[0082] Alternatively, the sleeve 57 is obtained by laying a layer of fibers on a metal foil, and winding the metal foil and the fiber layer together in a spiral around a mandrel. It is possible to wind the metal layer and the fiber layer from a single roll, or to unwind a roll of metal foil and a roll of fiber layer in parallel. The metal layers are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Each layer is particularly thin, and has a thickness of the order of 7 μm.
[0083] The fibers in the fiber layer are, for example, glass fibers. They are in the form of a paper-like material.
[0084] The total number of radially stacked metal layers and fiber layers is typically between 10 and 40.
[0085] The blocking element 59 is preferably a blocking tube.
[0086] The locking element 59 is typically coaxial with the central axis C. It is pressed against a radially internal surface of the sleeve 57.
[0087] The locking element 59 has, perpendicular to its central axis C, a substantially circular section, constant over its entire length.
[0088] The blocking element 59 is shown more precisely in Figure 3. The blocking element 59 is made of a metal, preferably a metal having low or moderate thermal conductivity.
[0089] For example, the locking element 59 is made of stainless steel, so as to prevent corrosion.
[0090] For example, it is made of 316L type stainless steel.
[0091] In order to limit heat transfer by conduction in the blocking tube 59, the latter is perforated.
[0092] It has a determined external surface area, and is perforated in a proportion of between 50 and 99% of its external surface area. The blocking element 59 is preferably perforated in a proportion of between 60% and 95%, more preferably between 70% and 90% of its external surface area.
[0093] The outer surface area is the surface area of the radially outer surface of the locking element 59.
[0094] As seen in Figure 3, the wall of the blocking element 59 has a large number of openings 62. The cumulative surface area of the openings 62 is between 50% and 99% of the external surface area of the blocking tube 59.
[0095] The openings 62, in the example shown, are substantially diamond-shaped. Alternatively, they are rectangular, circular, or have any other suitable shape.
[0096] The locking element 59 is delimited at its two axial ends by substantially circular edges 63.
[0097] It carries lugs 65 at its axial end facing the plug 29. The lugs 65 point axially from the circular edge 63.
[0098] They point towards the plug 29. The sleeve 57 extends around the entire circumference of the locking element 59. In other words, it covers the entire radially outer surface of the locking element 59. Axially, it extends from one circular edge 63 to the other. Typically, the sleeve 57 does not project axially beyond the circular edges 63 of the locking element 59.
[0099] Thus, the lugs 65 also protrude axially relative to the sleeve 57.
[0100] The lugs 65 therefore make it possible to avoid any contact between the sleeve 57 and the plug 29.
[0101] This is particularly advantageous because the sleeve 57 is of anisotropic construction. It has a particularly low thermal conductivity in the radial direction. This conductivity is of the order of 0.02 mW / mK
[0102] On the other hand, its axial thermal conductivity is much higher. This axial conductivity is of the order of 6000 mW / mK. This is due to the fact that aluminum sheets have a particularly high thermal conductivity.
[0103] It is therefore essential to avoid any axial contact between the sleeve 57 and the plug 29, this plug 29 being in direct contact with the cryogenic fluid filling the internal tank 3.
[0104] As seen in Figure 3, the locking element 59 has a slot 67 delimited by two axial edges 69 opposite each other.
[0105] The slot 67 extends over the entire axial length of the locking element 59. It opens out at the two circular edges 63 of the locking tube 59.
[0106] The locking element 59 also comprises fasteners 71 capable of being selectively locked or released.
[0107] When the fasteners 71 are released, the two axial edges 69 of the locking element 59 are free with respect to each other.
[0108] They are spaced apart from each other, as shown in Figure 3.
[0109] On the contrary, when the fasteners 71 are locked, the two axial edges 69 of the locking element 59 are fixed to each other.
[0110] Typically, they then extend in close proximity to each other, or even against each other.
[0111] Thus, when the fasteners 71 are locked, the locking tube 59 is not likely to expand radially.
[0112] On the contrary, when the fasteners 71 are released, the locking tube 59 is likely to expand radially.
[0113] The fasteners 71 comprise, in the example shown, hooks 73 carried by one of the axial edges 69 of the locking element 59, and tabs 75 formed in the other axial edge 69 of the locking element 59. In the locked position, the hook 73 is engaged with the tab 75. In the released position, the hook 73 is not engaged with the tab 75.
[0114] Alternatively, the fixing 71 is of any other type, and comprises for example two hooks 73 carried by the two opposite axial edges 69 of the locking element 59, and an axis capable of being engaged in the hooks 73 and extracted from them.
[0115] When the fasteners 71 are released, the locking element 59 has, at rest, a rest diameter Dr. “At rest” here means in the absence of external constraint.
[0116] When the fasteners 71 are released, the locking element 59 is radially elastic. In other words, if it is constrained by an external force to a diameter smaller than its rest diameter Dr, it opposes an elastic restoring force in the direction of radial expansion. If the external force is removed, it elastically returns to its rest diameter Dr.
[0117] The resting diameter Dr of the locking element 59 plus twice the thickness of the sleeve Em is greater than or equal to the internal diameter Di of the external tube 25. In other words:
[0118] Dr + 2 Em > Su
[0119] This means that, when the fasteners 71 are released, the locking element 59 will spontaneously press the sleeve 57 against the internal surface of the external tube 25, due to the choice of its diameter at rest Dr.
[0120] According to another aspect, the locking element 59 has, when the fasteners 71 are locked, a reduced diameter Dd greater than the external diameter De of the internal tube 27. Here, the maximum external diameter of the internal tube 57 is considered. In the example shown, the external diameter is maximum at both ends of the internal tube 27.
[0121] Furthermore, the reduced diameter Dd of the locking element 59 plus twice the sleeve thickness Em is less than or equal to the internal diameter Di of the external tube 25. In other words:
[0122] Dd > De and Dd + 2 Em < Di
[0123] These conditions reflect the fact that the proximal thermal insulation 53P can be slid axially into the gap 55 between the inner tube 27 and the outer tube 25 when the fasteners 71 are locked.
[0124] The diameter of the blocking element 59 in this situation remains greater than the external diameter De of the internal tube 27. On the other hand, the reduced diameter Dd is chosen to be sufficiently small so that the proximal thermal insulation 53P does not interfere with the external tube 25 when it is introduced into the gap 55. To facilitate the introduction of the proximal thermal insulation 53P, axially, into the gap 55, a protective tube 77 is pressed against a radially external surface of the sleeve 53.
[0125] The protective tube 77 is made of PTFE, or is a metal tube. It can be perforated if the tube 77 remains in place after insertion.
[0126] It has a low coefficient of friction against the material constituting the outer tube 25.
[0127] It is of low thickness, and is made of a relatively rigid material, so as not to hinder the expansion of the blocking element 59 and the elastic pressure applied to the sleeve 57 against the internal surface of the external tube 25.
[0128] The protective tube 77 makes it possible to protect the sleeve 57 and to prevent any damage to it during insertion into the gap 55.
[0129] As indicated above, the sleeve 57 is in fact made of particularly thin metal sheets and layers of fibers which also have very low mechanical strength. Thus, any physical contact between the sleeve 57 and the outer tube 25 can cause tearing of the outer layers of the sleeve 57, and lead to the creation of bumps on the outer surface of the sleeve 57.
[0130] As seen in Figure 2, after introduction into the gap 55, the sleeve 57 is without contact with the internal tube 27, and without contact with the plug 29.
[0131] An example of implementation will now be briefly described.
[0132] The outer diameter De of the inner tube 27 is approximately 114.3 millimeters. The inner diameter Di of the outer tube 25 is approximately 149.2 millimeters.
[0133] The sleeve 57 has a thickness Em of approximately 10 millimeters.
[0134] The locking element 59 is a blank of type 316L stainless steel, having a thickness of approximately 0.5 millimeters. This blank is made of a metal mesh. It is cut by stamping or by cutting.
[0135] The blank is then rolled and adopts its resting diameter. The resting diameter Dr is approximately 133 millimeters.
[0136] The width of slot 67, at rest, is approximately 15 millimeters.
[0137] The reduced diameter Dd of the locking element 59 is approximately 118 millimeters.
[0138] The manufacturing process of the above storage unit 1 will now be described.
[0139] The method comprises a step of obtaining the internal reservoir 3, the internal tube 27, the external tube 25, the plug 29, and the blocking element 59. The blocking element 59 is obtained as described previously, from a blank of a metal mesh. This blank is then rolled to give it a cylindrical shape.
[0140] The method also comprises a step of assembling the internal reservoir 3, the internal tube 27, the external tube 25 and the cap 29 to each other.
[0141] The method then comprises a step of placing the sleeve 57 around the locking element 59. It then comprises the following steps:
[0142] - Locking of the fixings 71;
[0143] Insertion of the sleeve 57 and the locking element 59 between the inner tube 27 and the outer tube 25;
[0144] Release of bindings 71.
[0145] At the installation step, the locking element 59 is advantageously constrained to an intermediate diameter Dm equal to the internal diameter Di of the external tube 25 plus twice the sleeve thickness Em, plus or minus 10%.
[0146] To do this, the locking element 59 is mounted on a mandrel and pressed against this mandrel. The mandrel has said intermediate diameter Dm. The sleeve 57 is then placed around the locking element 59, constrained to the intermediate diameter Dm. It is wound or formed or threaded around the locking element 59.
[0147] In other words, at the installation step, the sleeve 57 and the locking element 59 have substantially the final diameter that they will occupy once arranged inside the external tube 25, against the internal surface of the latter.
[0148] The insertion of the sleeve 57 and the locking element 59 is carried out axially, through the ring 33 and the first end 31 of the external tube 25.
[0149] Then, the fasteners 71 are released by slightly deforming the locking element 59, so as to release the hooks 73 from the tabs 75.
[0150] Once the fasteners are released, the locking element 59 will expand elastically in diameter, until it substantially returns to the intermediate diameter Dm.
[0151] The storage unit described above has multiple advantages.
[0152] Making the locking element in the form of a tube allows easy arrangement on the sleeve and good support of the sleeve.
[0153] Because the blocking element is perforated in a proportion of between 50% and 99% of its external surface area, heat transfer by conduction in the blocking element is extremely reduced.
[0154] The fact that the locking element has lugs at one axial end facing the plug prevents contact between the sleeve and the plug. This is particularly important for limiting heat transfer in the axial direction through the metal layers constituting the sleeve.
[0155] The fact that the locking element has a slot along its entire length and fasteners capable of locking the two axial edges delimiting the slot to each other makes it possible to temporarily reduce the diameter of the locking element, and therefore of the proximal thermal insulation. This facilitates the introduction of the proximal thermal insulation, axially, into the gap between the inner tube and the outer tube. Once the proximal thermal insulation is axially in place, the fasteners can be released, the locking element then being able to expand radially elastically and press the sleeve against the inner surface of the outer tube. This is done in a particularly convenient manner.
[0156] The risks of interference between the sleeve and the outer tube are reduced, and the risks of the upper layers of the sleeve being damaged are also reduced.
[0157] Because the locking element has at rest, when the fasteners are released, a diameter at rest chosen so that this diameter at rest plus twice the thickness of the sleeve is greater than the internal diameter, allows the sleeve to be elastically pressed against the internal surface of the external tube.
[0158] The fact that the locking element has, when the fasteners are locked, a reduced diameter greater than the external diameter of the inner tube, the reduced diameter plus twice the sleeve thickness being less than the internal diameter of the outer tube, allows the proximal thermal insulation to be axially introduced between the inner tube and the outer tube, with reduced risks of interference of the proximal thermal insulation with the outer tube or the inner tube.
[0159] The fact that the locking element is pressed against a radially inner surface of the sleeve and that a protective tube is pressed against a radially outer surface of the sleeve makes it possible to protect the radially outer surface of the sleeve during insertion between the inner tube and the outer tube.
[0160] The fact that the sleeve is not in contact with the internal tube without being in contact with the cap helps to limit heat transfer.
[0161] The fact that the sleeve is not free in the space between the inner face of the outer tube and the outer face of the inner tube ensures that it will not move throughout the use of the tank, in particular that its end could touch the cap. If the metal part of the multi-layer insulation were to touch this cap, the performance of the insulation would be seriously affected. The storage unit and the manufacturing process can have multiple variations.
[0162] The example described above includes a sleeve elastically pressed against the inner surface of the outer tube by the blocking element. In a variant, this sleeve is placed on the outer surface of the inner tube, and is elastically urged against it by the blocking element. Thus, the sleeve can be pressed against the outer face of the inner tube of the suspension, the blocking element fixing the multilayer insulation on the other side. In this case, the blocking element has a smaller free diameter and is open to allow insertion. This variant is particularly advantageous because the outer tube of the suspension is at a very low temperature, its radiation is therefore very low. However, the inner tube of the suspension is hotter and therefore radiates much more. It is therefore very advantageous to limit this radiation very quickly by placing the multilayer insulation on this hot member.The final layer of insulation is at a temperature much lower than that of the outer surface of the inner tube of the suspension. This lower temperature limits the radiation from this final layer to the inner surface of the outer tube of the suspension. The amount of heat radiated depends on the temperature to the fourth power.
[0163] In this case, the locking element is arranged on the radially outer surface of the sleeve.
[0164] Typically, the distal suspension has distal thermal insulation identical to the proximal thermal insulation. Alternatively, the distal thermal insulation is different.
[0165] The locking element may not be a tube, but may consist of, for example, several rings or bushings distributed along the sleeve.
Claims
CLAIMS 1. Cryogenic fluid storage unit, the storage unit (1) comprising: - an internal reservoir (3), internally delimiting a volume (5) for receiving the cryogenic fluid, the internal reservoir (3) having a proximal end (22P) and a distal end (22D) opposite the proximal end (22P); - an external tank (7), in which the internal tank (3) is housed; - a suspension (9), comprising a proximal suspension (23P) connecting the proximal end (22D) of the internal reservoir (3) to the external reservoir (7), the proximal suspension (23P) comprising an external tube (25) rigidly fixed to the proximal end (22P) of the internal reservoir (3), an internal tube (27) arranged in the external tube (25) and connected to the external reservoir (7), and a plug (29) connecting the internal tube (27) to the external tube (25); the proximal suspension (23P) comprising a proximal thermal insulation (53P) interposed radially between the outer tube (25) and the inner tube (27), the proximal thermal insulation (53P) comprising a thermally insulating sleeve (57) and at least one locking element (59) having a central axis (C) and elastically urging the sleeve (57) against an internal surface of the outer tube (25) or against an external surface of the inner tube (27).
2. Cryogenic fluid storage unit according to claim 1, in which the locking element (59) carries lugs (65) at an axial end facing the plug (29).
3. Cryogenic fluid storage unit according to claim 1 or 2, in which the blocking element (59) has the shape of a blocking tube having a determined external surface area, the blocking tube preferably being perforated in a proportion of between 50% and 99% of its external surface area.
4. Cryogenic fluid storage unit according to claim 3, wherein the locking tube (59) has a slot (67) delimited by two opposite axial edges (69), the slot (67) extending over an entire axial length of the locking tube (59), the locking tube (59) comprising fasteners (71) capable of being selectively locked or released, the two axial edges (69) of the locking tube (59) being free with respect to each other when the fasteners (71) are released and being fixed to each other when the fasteners (71) are locked.
5. Cryogenic fluid storage unit according to claim 4, wherein the outer tube (25) has an internal diameter (Di), the sleeve (57) has a sleeve thickness (Em), the locking tube (59) has, at rest, when the fasteners (71) are released, a rest diameter (Dr), the rest diameter (Dr) of the locking tube (59) plus twice the sleeve thickness (Em) being greater than the internal diameter (Di) of the outer tube (25).
6. Cryogenic fluid storage unit according to claim 5, wherein the locking tube (59) has, when the fasteners (71) are locked, a reduced diameter (Dd) greater than the external diameter (De) of the internal tube (27), the reduced diameter (Dd) of the locking tube (59) plus twice the sleeve thickness (Em) being less than the internal diameter (Di) of the external tube (25).
7. Cryogenic fluid storage unit according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the locking element (59) is pressed against a radially inner surface of the sleeve (57), a protection tube (77) being pressed against a radially outer surface of the sleeve (57).
8. Cryogenic fluid storage unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve (57) is without contact with the internal tube (27) and / or with the plug (29).
9. A method of manufacturing a storage unit according to any one of claims 4 to 6, the method comprising the following steps: - obtaining the internal tank (3), the internal tube (27), the external tube (25), the cap (29), and the blocking tube (59); - assembly of the internal tank (3), the internal tube (27), the external tube (25) and the cap (29) to each other; - placing the sleeve (57) around the locking tube (59); - locking of the fasteners (71); - insertion of the sleeve (57) and the locking tube (59) between the inner tube (27) and the outer tube (25); - release of the fasteners (71).
10. Manufacturing method according to claim 9, wherein in the step of placing the sleeve (57) around the blocking tube (59), the blocking tube (59) is constrained to an intermediate diameter (Dm) equal to the internal diameter (Di) of the external tube (25) plus twice the sleeve thickness (Em), plus or minus 10%.