Tank comprising internal and external enclosures and at least one tubular interface in two parts passing through the internal and external enclosures

Abstract

The invention relates to a tank comprising an outer enclosure (32), an inner enclosure (34) positioned in the outer enclosure (32) and at least one tubular interface (38) passing through the outer and inner enclosures (32, 34) and connected to the outer enclosure (32) by a first link (40.1) and to the inner enclosure (34) by a second link (40.2), the tubular interface (38) comprising at least two sections (46, 48) placed end to end and at least one junction system (50) connecting the sections two by two, a first section (46) being connected to the outer enclosure (32) by the first link (40.1), a second section (48) being connected to the inner enclosure (34) by the second link (40.2). Thus, the first and second sections of the tubular interface (38) can be connected respectively to the external and internal enclosures (32, 34) when they are not positioned one inside the other and when both their faces are accessible.

Description

[0001] This application relates to a double-walled tank suitable for storing a fluid in a cryogenic state.

[0002] Such a tank is known from US7344045B2.

[0003] According to an embodiment visible on the figure 1 A hydrogen tank 10 comprises an outer container 12, an inner container 14 positioned within the outer container 12, thermal insulation between the outer and inner containers 12 and 14, and two diametrically opposed connecting systems 16 and 16' linking the outer and inner containers 12 and 14. During operation, due to the temperature and pressure of cryogenically stored hydrogen, the inner container 14 may, depending on the circumstances, contract or expand more than the outer container 12. Therefore, at least one of the two connecting systems 16' is configured to allow movement of the inner container 14 relative to the outer container 12 along a direction of movement. In one arrangement, the first connecting system 16 (the one on the left in the figure 1 ) is substantially rigid, whereas the second 16' linkage system (the one on the right on the figure 1 ) allows relative movement between the external and internal enclosures 12, 14.

[0004] The first connecting system 16 includes a tubular interface 18 passing through the external and internal enclosures 12, 14 and having a first end 18.1 opening outside the external reservoir 12 and a second end 18.2 opening inside the internal reservoir 14. In addition, the first connecting system 16 includes a first closing plate 20.1 sealing the first end 18.1 of the tubular interface 18 and a second closing plate 20.2 sealing the second end 18.2 of the tubular interface 18.

[0005] Each of the outer and inner enclosures 12, 14 includes a passage opening to allow the tubular interface 18 to pass through it. In addition, the reservoir includes a first connection 22.1 linking the tubular interface 18 and the outer enclosure 12, and a second connection 22.2 linking the tubular interface 18 and the inner enclosure 14.

[0006] The hydrogen tank 10 includes several conduits 24, 24' which pass through the first and second closure plates 20.1, 20.2 and each has an end opening into the inner enclosure 14. All these conduits 24, 24' are straight between the first and second closure plates 20.1, 20.2.

[0007] In one embodiment, the materials of the different elements (enclosures, ducts, closing plates, connecting systems) can be different: for example metallic / composite.

[0008] According to one embodiment, each of the external and internal enclosures 12, 14 is made from at least two disjoint parts which are assembled.

[0009] According to one assembly method, the tubular interface 18 is connected to the inner enclosure 14 via the second link 22.2, and then the two parts of the inner enclosure 14 are assembled. The inner enclosure 14 is inserted into a part of the outer enclosure 12, and then the tubular interface 18 is connected to the outer enclosure 12 via the first link 22.1. Finally, the two parts of the outer enclosure 12 are assembled.

[0010] Since the inner enclosure 14 is not yet positioned in the outer enclosure 12 and the two parts of the inner enclosure 14 are not yet assembled, both faces of the inner enclosure 14 are accessible during the assembly of the tubular interface 18 and the inner enclosure 14. Therefore, the second connection 22.2 includes two L-shaped flanges 26, 26' positioned on either side of the inner enclosure 14, each flange 26, 26' having a first wing 26.1, 26.1' pressed against the inner enclosure 14 and connected to it, and a second wing 26.2, 26.2' pressed against the tubular interface 18 and connected to it.

[0011] According to an embodiment visible on the figure 2 The first connection 22.1 comprises a single L-shaped flange 28 located outside the outer enclosure 12, since, for accessibility reasons, it is not possible to install a second L-shaped flange inside the outer enclosure. This single flange 28 has a first wing 28.1 pressed against and connected to the outer enclosure 12, and a second wing 28.2 pressed against and connected to the tubular interface 18. However, since the first connection 22.1 consists of only this single L-shaped flange 28, this solution is not entirely satisfactory in terms of mechanical strength and sealing.

[0012] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0013] To this end, the invention relates to a tank comprising an outer enclosure separating an outer zone and an intermediate zone, an inner enclosure positioned in the outer enclosure and separating an inner zone and the intermediate zone, and at least one linking system connecting the outer and inner enclosures and comprising a tubular interface passing through the outer and inner enclosures; the tubular interface having a first end opening into the outer zone of the outer tank and a second end opening into the inner zone of the inner tank, the tank comprising a first link connecting the tubular interface and the outer enclosure and a second link connecting the tubular interface and the inner enclosure.

[0014] According to the invention, the tubular interface comprises at least two sections placed end to end and at least one junction system linking the sections two by two, a first section being connected to the outer enclosure by the first link, a second section being connected to the inner enclosure by the second link.

[0015] Since the tubular interface comprises two sections, these can be connected to the external and internal enclosures respectively when the latter are separated and not nested, with both faces accessible. Therefore, each of the first and second connections can include elements positioned on either side of the external or internal enclosure to optimize their mechanical strength. Alternatively, the first section comprises the first end of the tubular interface, and / or the second section comprises the second end of the tubular interface.

[0016] According to another characteristic, the joining system includes a first collar attached to the first section, a second collar attached to the second section, and at least one connecting element holding the first and second collars pressed against each other.

[0017] Depending on the configuration, the tubular interface has an axis of revolution. In addition, the first and second flanges are oriented towards the axis of revolution of the tubular interface.

[0018] According to another feature, the first section and the first collar are made in one piece and / or the second section and the second collar are made in one piece. According to another feature, the joining system comprises at least one ring plated against at least one of the first and second collars.

[0019] According to another characteristic, the joining system includes first and second crowns between which the first and second collars are positioned.

[0020] According to another characteristic, the joining system includes several connecting elements passing through at least the first and second flanges, the connecting elements being of a blind type to allow their placement from only one end of the tubular interface.

[0021] Depending on the configuration, the first ring is closest to the first end of the tubular interface. In addition, for each connecting element, each of the first and second rings includes a through hole, this through hole being smooth for the first ring and equipped with a threaded insert for the second ring, each connecting element being a screw configured to screw into the threaded insert of the second ring.

[0022] Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of the invention, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, among which: There figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a reservoir illustrating a method of embodiment of the earlier art, The figure 2 is a longitudinal section of a connecting system, linking the external and internal enclosures of the tank visible on the figure 1 illustrating a mode of realization of earlier art, The figure 3 is a longitudinal section of a tank illustrating one embodiment of the invention, The figure 4 is a longitudinal section of a connecting system, linking the external and internal enclosures of the tank visible on the figure 3 illustrating one embodiment of the invention, The figure 5 is a longitudinal section of a linking system in its unassembled state, with the internal and external enclosures separated, illustrating one embodiment of the invention, The figure 6 is a longitudinal section of the linkage system visible on the figure 5 In its unassembled state, with the internal and external enclosures close together, the figure 7 is a longitudinal section of the linkage system visible on the figure 5 in its assembled state.

[0023] According to embodiments visible on the figures 3 à 7 A tank 30 comprises an outer enclosure 32 separating an external zone and an intermediate zone, an inner enclosure 34 positioned within the outer enclosure 32 separating an inner zone and the intermediate zone, and two diametrically opposed connecting systems 36, 36' connecting the outer and inner enclosures 32, 34. Depending on one configuration, the tank 30 may include thermal insulation between the outer and inner enclosures 32, 34.

[0024] According to one arrangement, the first linking system 36 is substantially rigid while the second linking system 36' (not shown in detail) allows relative movement between the external and internal enclosures 32, 34. The second linking system is configured to allow relative movement between the external and internal enclosures 32, 34, oriented along a longitudinal direction.

[0025] According to one application, an aircraft includes at least one tank 30 used to store a fluid in a cryogenic state, such as hydrogen. Of course, the invention is not limited to this application. Nor is it limited to two connecting systems. In any embodiment, the tank 30 includes at least one connecting system 36.

[0026] According to an arrangement visible on the figure 3 Each of the external and internal enclosures 32, 34 comprises a cylindrical central portion and two dome-shaped portions positioned at each end of the cylindrical central portion. Of course, the invention is not limited to these shapes for the external and internal enclosures 32, 34. Furthermore, the connecting system 36, 36' is not necessarily positioned at a dome-shaped portion. The connecting system 36 comprises a tubular interface 38 passing through the external and internal enclosures 32, 34, connected to them, and having a first end 38.1 opening into the outer zone of the external reservoir 32 and a second end 38.2 opening into the inner zone of the internal reservoir 34, each of the external and internal enclosures 32, 34 comprising a through hole 32.1, 34.1 to allow the tubular interface 38 to pass through it.The tubular interface 38 is cylindrical and has an axis of revolution parallel to the longitudinal direction.

[0027] The reservoir 30 includes a first link 40.1 connecting the tubular interface 38 and the external enclosure 32 and a second link 40.2 connecting the tubular interface 38 and the internal enclosure 34.

[0028] In one configuration, the first connection 40.1 comprises two L-shaped flanges 42, 42' positioned on either side of the outer enclosure 32. Each flange 42, 42' has a first wing 42.1, 42.1' pressed against and connected to the outer enclosure 32, and a second wing 42.2, 42.2' pressed against and connected to the tubular interface 38. The second connection 40.2 comprises two L-shaped flanges 44, 44' positioned on either side of the inner enclosure 34. Each flange 44, 44' has a first wing 44.1, 44.1' pressed against and connected to the inner enclosure 34, and a second wing 44.2, 44.2' pressed against and connected to the tubular interface 38.

[0029] The presence of two flanges 42, 42', 44, 44' for each of the first and second links 40.1, 40.2, positioned on either side of the external or internal enclosure 32, 34, allows for optimal first and second links in terms of mechanical resistance.

[0030] Of course, the invention is not limited to this configuration for the first and second links 32, 34.

[0031] According to one feature of the invention, the tubular interface 38 comprises at least two sections 46, 48 placed end to end and at least one junction system 50 connecting the sections in pairs, a first section 46 being connected to the outer enclosure 32 by the first link 40.1, a second section 48 being connected to the inner enclosure 34 by the second link 40.2. According to one configuration, the first section 46 comprises the first end 38.1 of the tubular interface 38 and / or the second section 48 comprises the second end 38.2 of the tubular interface 38.

[0032] According to an arrangement, the first and second sections 46, 48 are connected by the junction system 50, with no section being interposed between them.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the first section 46 is cylindrical and has an axis of revolution A46. It extends between a first end 46.1 connected to the second section 48 and a second end 46.2 which corresponds to the first end 38.1 of the tubular interface 38. The second section 48 is cylindrical and has an axis of revolution A48. It extends between a first end 48.1 connected to the first section 46 and a second end 48.2 which corresponds to the second end 38.2 of the tubular interface 38.

[0034] In one embodiment, the joining system 50 comprises a first flange 50.1 attached to the first section 46, a second flange 50.2 attached to the second section 48, and at least one connecting element 50.3 holding the first and second flanges 50.1, 50.2 pressed against each other. In one configuration, the first and second flanges 50.1, 50.2 are oriented towards the axis of revolution of the tubular interface 38.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the first section 46 and the first collar 50.1 are made in one piece and / or the second section 48 and the second collar 50.2 are made in one piece.

[0036] According to a configuration visible on the figure 7 The joining system 50 includes at least one ring 52 pressed against at least one of the first and second flanges 50.1, 50.2. According to one arrangement, the joining system 50 includes two rings 52, 52' between which the first and second flanges 50.1, 50.2 are positioned. When the first or second section 46, 48 and the first or second flange 50.1, 50.2 are made in one piece, the presence of at least one ring 52, 52' limits the risks of unfolding of the first or second flange 50.1, 50.2.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the joining system comprises several connecting elements 50.3 distributed around the tubular interface 38 and passing through at least the first and second flanges 50.1, 50.2. The connecting elements 50.3 are blind-type connecting elements allowing their installation from only one end of the tubular interface 38, in particular from the first end 38.1 accessible from the outside of the tank 30. In one configuration, the joining system 50 comprises first and second rings 52, 52', the first ring 52 being the one closest to the first end 38.1 of the tubular interface 38. For each connecting element 50.3, each of the first and second rings 52, 52' includes a through hole, this through hole being smooth for the first ring 52 and equipped with a threaded insert for the second ring 52'. In addition, each connecting element 50.3 is a screw configured to screw into the threaded insert of the second ring 52'. Of course, the invention is not limited to this configuration for obtaining blind-type connecting elements 50.3. Similarly, the joining system 50 is not limited to an assembly obtained from bolts, screws, or rivets. Thus, the joining system 50 could be obtained by bonding, welding, or any other assembly technique.

[0038] According to one operating procedure, the first and second sections 46, 48 are connected respectively to the external and internal enclosures 32, 34 when the two external and internal enclosures 32, 34 are separate and not positioned one inside the other, as illustrated in the figure 5 . For each of the external and internal enclosures 32, 34, both their faces are accessible so that each of the first and second links 40.1, 40.2 can include elements positioned on either side of the external or internal enclosure 32, 34. Thus, the first and second links 40.1, 40.2 are optimal in terms of mechanical resistance.

[0039] Next, the inner enclosure 34 is positioned within a portion of the outer enclosure 32 until the first and second sections 46, 48 are joined, as illustrated in the figure 6 Next, the first and second sections 46, 48 are assembled using the joining system 50, as illustrated in the figure 7 .

[0040] The linking system 36 includes a first closing plate 58.1 closing the first end 38.1 of the tubular interface 38 and a second closing plate 58.2 closing the second end 38.2 of the tubular interface 38. According to one configuration, the tubular interface 38 includes a first flange 60.1 at its first end 38.1 and a second flange 60.2 at its second end 38.2, each of the first and second flanges 60.1, 60.2 having a contact face F60.1, F60.2, positioned in a transverse plane perpendicular to the axis of revolution of the tubular interface 38, against which the corresponding closing plate 58.1, 58.2 is pressed.

[0041] Each of the first and second end plates 58.1, 58.2 is disc-shaped and includes at least one connection zone 62 linked, directly or indirectly, to the outer or inner enclosure 32, 34. At the connection zones 62, each end plate 58.1, 58.2 is pressed against the contact face F60.1, F60.2 of the corresponding first or second flange 60.1, 60.2 and connected to it by connecting elements. The connection zones 62 of the first and second end plates 58.1, 58.2 are rigid. In one configuration, each connection zone 62 is in the form of a ring.

[0042] When fixed to the tubular interface 38, the first and second closing plates 58.1, 58.2 are substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0043] The tank 30 includes at least one conduit 64 which passes through the first and second closing plates 58.1, 58.2 and has a first end 64.1 opening into the inner enclosure 34 and a second end opening into the outer area of ​​the outer enclosure 32.

[0044] For each conduit 64, the first closing plate 58.1 includes a first orifice 66.1 to allow the conduit 64 to pass through said first closing plate 58.1 and a first connecting zone 68.1 which surrounds the first orifice 66.1 and includes a first connection 70.1 linking the conduit 64 and the first closing plate 58.1. At the level of the first orifice 66.1, each conduit 64 has an axis of revolution A64 parallel to the longitudinal direction.

[0045] For each conduit 64, the second closing plate 58.2 includes a second orifice 66.2 to allow the conduit 64 to pass through said second closing plate 58.2 and a second connecting zone 68.2 which surrounds the second orifice 66.2 and includes a second connection 70.2 linking the conduit 64 and the second closing plate 58.2. At the level of the second orifice 66.2, each conduit 64 has an axis of revolution A64 parallel to the longitudinal direction.

[0046] The first and second connections 70.1, 70.2 are rigid connections. Consequently, the first and second connection zones 68.1, 68.2 are substantially rigid. Each of the first and second connections 70.1, 70.2 is a sealed connection ensuring fluid tightness between the conduit 64 and the first or second closure plate 58.1, 58.2. By way of example, each of the first and second connections 70.1, 70.2 comprises at least one weld bead surrounding the conduit 64 and ensuring a sealed connection between the conduit and the closure plate 58.1, 58.2. Of course, the invention is not limited to this embodiment for the first and second rigid connections 70.1, 70.2. By way of example, the first or second connection 70.1, 70.2 could be in the form of a flange.

Claims

1. Tank comprising an outer enclosure (32) separating an outside zone and an intermediate zone, an inner enclosure (34) positioned in the outer enclosure (32) and separating an inside zone and the intermediate zone as well as at least one link system (36) linking the outer and inner enclosures (32, 34) and comprising a tubular interface (38) passing through the outer and inner enclosures (32, 34), the tubular interface (38) having a first end (38.1) emerging in the zone outside the outer tank (32) and a second end (38.2) emerging in the zone inside the inner tank (34), the tank comprising a first link (40.1) linking the tubular interface (38) and the outer enclosure (32) and a second link (40.2) linking the tubular interface (38) and the inner enclosure (34); wherein the tubular interface (38) comprises at least two sections (46, 48) placed end-to-end and at least one joining system (50) linking the sections pairwise, a first section (46) being linked to the outer enclosure (32) by the first link (40.1) and a second section (48) being linked to the inner enclosure (34) by the second link (40.2).

2. Tank as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein the first section (46) comprises the first end (38.1) of the tubular interface (38) and / or the second section (48) comprises the second end (38.2) of the tubular interface (38).

3. Tank as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the joining system (50) comprises a first flange ring (50.1) secured to the first section (46), a second flange ring (50.2) secured to the second section (48) and at least one link element (50.3) keeping the first and second flange rings (50.1, 50.2) pressed against one another.

4. Tank as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein the tubular interface (38) has an axis of revolution and wherein the first and second flange rings (50.1, 50.2) are oriented toward the axis of revolution of the tubular interface (38).

5. Tank as claimed in one of claims 3 and 4, wherein the first section (46) and the first crown ring (50.1) are produced in a single piece and / or the second section (48) and the second flange ring (50.2) are produced in a single piece.

6. Tank as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein the joining system (50) comprises at least one crown ring (52) pressed against at least one of the first and second flange rings (50.1, 50.2).

7. Tank as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein the joining system (50) comprises first and second crown rings (52, 52') between which the first and second flange rings (50.1, 50.2) are positioned.

8. Tank as claimed in one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the joining system (50) comprises several link elements (50.3) passing through at least the first and second flange rings (50.1, 50.2), the link elements (50.3) being of blind type to allow them to be put in place from a single end of the tubular interface (38).

9. Tank as claimed in claims 7 and 8, wherein the first crown ring (52) is closest to the first end (38.1) of the tubular interface (38); wherein, for each link element (50.3), each of the first and second crown rings (52, 52') comprises a through-hole, this through-hole being smooth for the first crown ring (52) and fitted with a tapped insert for the second crown ring (52') and wherein each link element (50.3) is a screw configured to be screwed into the tapped insert of the second crown ring (52').

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