System for mechanically supporting a liquid hydrogen storage tank

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a system for supporting a tank (10) for storing hydrogen, the tank comprising: - an outer wall (1); - an inner wall (2) accommodating a volume of liquid hydrogen, the supporting system comprising a first support (4), a second support (3) and a return element (5), the first support (4) and the second support (3) being movable with respect to each other in a main direction (X34) of the supports against a return force, the first support (4), the second support (3) and the return element (5) being configured so that, in a mounted state of the support system on the tank (10), the return element (5) biases the first support (4) in contact with a lateral portion (23) of the inner wall (2) and the second support (3) in contact with a lateral portion (13) of the outer wall (1).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Mechanical support system for a liquid hydrogen storage tank

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] This disclosure relates generally to the field of liquid hydrogen storage. It relates to the mechanical support of tanks for the storage of liquid hydrogen.

[0005] STATE OF THE ART

[0006] Liquid hydrogen storage tanks typically comprise an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall defines an internal cavity in which a volume of liquid hydrogen is received, while the outer wall is in contact with the outside air. The outer wall comprises a first end intended to be placed on a floor, a lateral portion and a second end opposite the first end. Between the two walls is provided a spacing of a non-zero distance. This spacing may be empty, or comprise an insulation device. Such an insulation device may take several forms: multi-layer insulation (or MLI for "multi-layer insulation") formed from a plurality of thin layers and which insulates against thermal radiation; insulating foam, in particular polyurethane; or perlite beads.

[0007] In order to ensure the mechanical support of such a tank, it is known to provide a support system at the second end of the tank. This support system comprises a solid part through which tank supports as well as pipes and electronic elements can pass.

[0008] Making the various elements of the support system from the same material ensures homogeneous contraction or expansion behavior for these elements during temperature changes, and therefore minimizes the thermal stresses experienced by these elements during such a change, such as for example when filling the tank with liquid hydrogen. Indeed, a liquid hydrogen tank typically comprises hydrogen at a temperature below -173°C (100 K), so that the inner wall of the tank, initially at room temperature of 20°C (293 K) has a large temperature difference with the liquid hydrogen and shrinks due to this difference. Such a support system also has high mechanical rigidity. This can be advantageous when the tank is subjected to static loading, in order to avoid deformation of the tank.However, such a support system is mechanically fragile and may not withstand high dynamic loading (e.g., variable loading during tank movement, with vibrations or shocks, during an earthquake, etc.).

[0009] EXPOSED

[0010] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a hydrogen tank support system that limits thermal stresses during temperature variations experienced by the tank during use, while being capable of supporting the dynamic loads to which it may be subjected.

[0011] To this end, according to a first aspect, a system for supporting a tank for storing hydrogen is proposed, the tank comprising: an outer wall, an inner wall defining an internal cavity configured to accommodate a volume of liquid hydrogen, each of the outer wall and the inner wall comprising: a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a substantially cylindrical lateral portion extending along a main axis between the first end and the second end, the lateral portion of the outer wall and the lateral portion of the inner wall defining between them an inter-wall space, the support system comprising a first support, a second support and a return element, the first support and the second support being movable relative to each other in a main direction of the supports against a return force exerted by the return element, the first support,the second support and the return element being configured so that, in a mounted state of the support system on the tank in which the first support and the second support are arranged in the inter-wall space, the return element urges the first support into contact with the lateral portion of the internal wall and the second support into contact with the lateral portion of the external wall.,

[0012] Thus, the proposed support system allows satisfactory support of the liquid hydrogen tank, and is capable of accommodating the thermal shrinkage of the internal wall when it comes into contact with the liquid hydrogen, while absorbing any dynamic shocks to which the hydrogen storage system may be subjected.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the support system comprises several first supports and several second supports configured to be distributed along the lateral portions in the axial direction.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the return element comprises a spring and / or at least one elastic washer, in particular a “Belleville” type washer.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the support system comprises an element for distributing the stress exerted by the return element on the first support and / or on the second support.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the support system further comprises a holding element configured to prevent relative displacement of the first support relative to the second support in the main direction of the supports beyond a maximum value.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the first support and / or the second support comprises a thermally insulating material.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the thermally insulating material is made of a plastic material and / or a composite material, in particular a glass-reinforced plastic.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the first support and / or the second support comprises a plurality of circumferential portions each configured to extend over a part of a circumference of the side walls, the circumferential portions being configured to be connected to each other by assembly elements, in particular chosen from pins and screw-nut assemblies.

[0020] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a hydrogen storage system comprising a tank, wherein the tank comprises: an outer wall an inner wall defining an internal cavity configured to accommodate a volume of liquid hydrogen, each of the outer wall and the inner wall comprising: a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a substantially cylindrical lateral portion, the lateral portion being disposed between the first end and the second end, wherein the lateral portion of the outer wall and the lateral portion of the inner wall define between them an inter-wall space, the storage system further comprising a support system as defined previously.

[0021] According to one embodiment, one of the first support and the second support is fixed in a non-removable manner to the wall with which it is in contact, the other of the first support and the second support being fixed in a removable manner to the wall with which it is in contact.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the second support is fixed irremovably to the external wall, in particular by gluing, the first support being kept in contact with the internal wall by a return force exerted by the return element.

[0023] According to one embodiment, piping elements and / or electronic elements extend at least partially into the inter-wall space.

[0024] According to one embodiment, an intermediate wall is arranged between the inner wall and the outer wall.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the return element and / or the distribution element is arranged closer to the external wall than to the internal wall in the radial direction.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the contact between the first support and the lateral portion of the internal wall is effected by means of a screen configured to distribute the force exerted by the first support on the lateral portion of the internal wall.

[0027] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for assembling a hydrogen storage system as defined above, comprising the following successive steps: a. irremovably fixing the first support to the inner wall or the second support to the outer wall, b. applying a mounting stress to the return element so as to place the first support and the second support in a mounting position in which a radial space occupied by the supports is less than the inter-wall space, c. placing the inner wall and the outer wall opposite each other in the radial direction, d. stopping the application of the mounting stress, the first support and the second support adopting a position in which they occupy a radial space equal to the inter-wall space. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0028] Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, which is purely illustrative and non-limiting, and which must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

[0029] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a hydrogen storage system according to one aspect of the invention;

[0030] Figure 2 schematically illustrates supports of a support system for a hydrogen storage tank, according to one aspect of the invention;

[0031] Figure 3 schematically illustrates a contact interface between supports of a support system for a hydrogen storage tank, according to one aspect of the invention.

[0032] Figure 4 schematically illustrates a hydrogen storage system according to one embodiment, the external wall not being shown.

[0033] Throughout the figures, similar elements have identical references.

[0034] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] A hydrogen tank 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises an outer wall 1 and an inner wall 2. The inner wall 2 delimits an internal cavity, in which a volume of liquid hydrogen can be received for storage or possibly transport.

[0036] The outer wall 1 consists of a first end 11, a second end 12 and a substantially cylindrical lateral portion 13, preferably with a circular base, but the base of which may have another geometric shape, and defining along its main axis X13 an axial direction of the tank 10. Similarly, the inner wall 2 consists of a first end 21, a second end 22 and a substantially cylindrical lateral portion 23 extending along the main axis X13. The lateral portions 13, 23 define between them an inter-wall space 14, which may be empty or in which a thermal insulation device may be arranged - for example, multi-layer insulation or perlite. An inter-wall space may optionally be provided between the first ends 11, 21 and / or between the second ends 12, 22 of the inner 1 and outer 2 walls respectively.A radial direction is defined as any direction perpendicular to and passing through the main axis X13. A circumferential direction is further defined as any direction perpendicular to and not passing through the axis X13.

[0037] According to a first aspect of the invention, and with reference to FIG. 2, a support system for the tank 10 comprises two supports 3, 4. The support system is configured to be mounted on the tank 10, so as to form a hydrogen storage system 100. A first support 4 is, in a mounted state of the storage system 100, in contact with the lateral portion 23 of the internal wall 2. A second support 3 is, in the mounted state of the storage system 100, in contact with the lateral portion 13 of the external wall 1. The supports 3, 4 have a main direction X34 and are movable relative to each other in this direction. In the mounted state of the hydrogen storage system 100, the main direction X34 of the supports coincides with a radial direction of the hydrogen tank 10.

[0038] According to one embodiment, a projecting part 15 of one of the first and second supports 4, 3 is slidably mounted along the main direction X34 of the supports in a receiving part 16 of the other of the first and second supports 4, 3.

[0039] In the mounted state of the storage system 100, the second support 3 preferably extends at least partly opposite the first support 4 in the radial direction.

[0040] The support system may comprise a third support 17, arranged between the first end 11 of the outer wall 1 and the first end 21 of the inner wall 2 in the axial direction. The support system may also comprise a fourth support 18, arranged between the second end 12 of the outer wall 1 and the second end 22 of the inner wall 2 in the axial direction.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the first support 4 and the second support 3 comprise a thermally insulating material. For example, the supports 3, 4 may comprise a composite material. This composite material may in particular be a glass-reinforced plastic - for example of the G-10 (also called garolite) or G-11 type.

[0042] The geometry of the supports 3, 4 may furthermore, according to certain embodiments, be configured to minimize transfers by thermal conduction between the walls 1, 2 and the supports 3, 4. Indeed, the support systems of the state of the art are subject to high thermal exchanges between the liquid hydrogen disposed in the internal cavity and the supports, by thermal conduction in the supports and the internal wall 2 but also by thermal radiation between the walls 1, 2 of the storage system 10. The liquid hydrogen is then heated in contact with the internal wall 2. In addition, the elements of such support systems are often made of thermally conductive materials, such as stainless steel, which also contributes to the occurrence of thermal exchanges between the liquid hydrogen and the external environment.Such heat exchanges cause evaporation of a portion of the liquid hydrogen contained in the internal cavity, and can therefore cause significant mass losses during long-term hydrogen storage. Compared with a state-of-the-art hydrogen storage system, for which a significant portion of the heat transfers takes place between the internal wall and the supports arranged on the first and second ends rather than on the lateral portions of the walls, the proposed hydrogen tank support system thus minimizes heat exchanges with the hydrogen, and consequently reduces mass losses of hydrogen during its storage and / or transport. The proposed support system can divide these heat exchanges by a factor of 4 to 10.

[0043] According to one of the embodiments cited in the preceding paragraph, the supports 3, 4 may comprise recesses in specific areas of the supports, the recesses being configured to minimize transfers by thermal conduction between the walls 1, 2 and the supports 3, 4 while allowing the supports 3, 4 to maintain satisfactory resistance with regard to the forces to which they are subjected during use of the support system. Other solutions for reducing these thermal transfers also fall within the scope of the present disclosure.For example, and as shown in Figure 3, the contact areas between the first support 4 and the second support 3 can be minimized, and in particular provision can be made for an external wall of one of the first support 4 and the second support 3 to form a first sliding surface 24 in sliding contact with a second sliding surface 25 formed by an internal wall of the other of the first support 4 and the second support 3, the first sliding surface 24 or the second sliding surface 25 having a substantially sinusoidal shape. Compared to straight sliding interfaces, the contact area between the supports 3, 4 is thus significantly reduced and the exchanges by thermal conduction between them are consequently minimized. Naturally, the sliding surfaces 24, 25 can be straight, in particular for applications where the supports 3, 4 are subjected to particularly high mechanical forces.

[0044] According to one embodiment, illustrated in Figure 4, in which the external wall has not been shown for the sake of clarity, the support system comprises several first supports 4 and several second supports 3 which each extend at least partly opposite one of the first supports 4 in the radial direction in the assembled state of the storage system 100. The supports 3, 4 are then located in several distinct positions along the lateral portions 13, 23 of the walls 1, 2 in the axial direction. It is thus possible to distribute the stresses exerted by the supports 3, 4 on the walls 1, 2 in several axial positions and to avoid high stresses in a single position, which could result in buckling of the walls 1, 2. An increase in the number of supports 3, 4 also makes it possible, thanks to the distribution of the stresses, to refine the external wall 1 without risk of buckling thereof.The choice of the number of supports 3, 4 can thus be made by compromise between the thickness and length of the external wall 1 on the one hand and the complexity and mass of the support system on the other hand - the length and thickness of the external wall 1 also affecting the overall mass of the hydrogen storage system 100.

[0045] A return element 5 makes it possible to return the supports 3, 4 into a relative position with respect to each other in their main direction X34. In this relative position, the supports 3, 4 occupy a space in their main direction X34 which is greater than or equal to the inter-wall space 14. Thus, in the mounted state of the storage system 100, the supports 3, 4 radially occupy the entire inter-wall space 14. The return element 5 may in particular be housed in the receiving part 16, and comprise a first end connected to the receiving part 16, or alternatively in simple contact therewith, and a second end connected to the projecting part 15, or alternatively in simple contact therewith. Each end of the return element 5 may be connected directly to the projecting part 15 and to the receiving part 16 respectively.Alternatively, a distribution element 6 may be arranged between, on the one hand, the projecting part 15 and / or the receiving part 16, and on the other hand, the corresponding end of the return element 5. The distribution element 6, which may in particular take the form of a flat washer, then makes it possible to distribute the force exerted by the return element 5 on the first support 4 and / or the second support 3. The distribution element 6 therefore limits the risks of damage to the supports 3, 4 under the effect of the force exerted by the return element 5.

[0046] When the support system comprises several first supports 4 and several second supports 3, the stiffness of the return elements 5 can be chosen as a function of the number of supports 3, 4. Indeed, a support system comprising a greater number of supports 3, 4 may comprise less stiff return elements 5, since the return force generated by the return elements 5 is distributed over a greater number of axial positions.

[0047] According to one embodiment, and as shown in Figure 3, the support system comprises a single return axis, the return element 5 is compressed or extended along this single axis. The dimensions of the return element 5 are chosen to provide an adequate return force as a function of this return axis. Thus, the support system has a simpler and more robust operation than support systems with two separate return elements between the supports, these return elements moving along two separate axes and with a greater probability of malfunction or breakage. In addition, having a single return axis makes it possible to obtain a more efficient support system, in particular for liquid hydrogen transport applications where the tank may undergo movements to which the support system must react.

[0048] The support system thus defined allows relative movement of the internal wall 2 with respect to the external wall 1, in particular when the storage system is subjected to a variable load, for example during loading or unloading of the storage system 100 on board a vehicle. The forces due to such loading are better distributed along the tank 10 and the risk of rupture of a part of the support system is less compared to a system according to the state of the art.

[0049] The return element 5 may in particular comprise one or more elastic washers. In particular, the return element 5 may comprise one or more Belleville washers. A Belleville washer, or spring washer, is a circular-shaped washer with an external edge, and provided with a central orifice which defines an internal edge. In its rest position, the internal edge is located at a distance from the external edge in a direction defined by the central axis of the orifice. A Belleville washer is thus capable of exerting a return force opposing a compressive load. The return element 5 may in particular comprise a stack of Belleville washers in the radial direction.Such an arrangement is particularly suitable for small-volume tanks 10, such washers providing a stiffness to the support system greater than that provided by other return elements 5, while allowing a necessary relative displacement between the first support 4 and the second support 3. In addition, the use of several Belleville washers allows, depending on their arrangement, a great adaptability of the return element 5 according to the structure of the tank 10. The return element 5 may also comprise one or more springs, in particular for tanks 10 of larger volume.

[0050] The return element 5, and possibly the distribution element(s) 6 may be arranged closer to the external wall 2 than to the internal wall 1, in the radial direction, in the mounted state of the hydrogen storage system 100. These elements may be made of thermally conductive materials, generally metals, thus minimizing the risk of heat transfer between the liquid hydrogen located in the internal cavity and these elements. The second support 3 may have a generally annular shape, extending circumferentially opposite the lateral portion 23 of the internal wall 2 in the mounted state of the hydrogen storage system 100. The second support 3 may be formed in a single piece.In this case, when the second support 3 comprises one or more projecting parts, the projecting part(s) 15 extend(s) radially projecting from the ring, and the ring provides a function of holding in position the projecting part 15 or the different projecting parts 15 belonging to the same second support 3. When the second support 3 comprises one or more receiving parts, the receiving part(s) 16 extend(s) radially projecting from the ring, and the ring provides a function of holding in position the receiving part 16 or the different receiving parts 16 belonging to the same second support 3.

[0051] Alternatively, the second support 3 may have a plurality of distinct circumferential portions 31, each circumferential portion 31 extending circumferentially opposite a part of the lateral portion 23 of the internal wall 2 in the mounted state of the storage system 100. The first support 4 may then consist of a plurality of feet separate from each other and located opposite the second annular support 3 in different circumferential positions. A circumferential portion 31 of the second support 3 may be fixed to the adjacent circumferential portions 31 by assembly elements 32, for example by pins or by screw-nut assemblies passing through a fixing edge 33 of the circumferential portion 31, the fixing edge 33 extending substantially in the radial direction.The division of the second support 3 into several circumferential portions 31 makes it easier to fix the second support 3 to the external wall 1, in particular when an external diameter of the second support 3 is not exactly identical to an internal diameter of the external wall 1. This fixing can then be carried out by sliding the assembly of the circumferential portions 31, using the assembly elements 32, onto the external wall 1, then by fixing the circumferential portions 31 to the external wall before fixing, in particular in an irremovable manner but possibly using a removable fixing, the second support(s) 3 to the external wall 1.

[0052] When the second support 3 is thus divided into several circumferential portions 31, the number and stiffness of the return elements 5 for a second support 3 can be chosen taking into account the number of circumferential portions. In particular, for a support 3 comprising a greater number of circumferential portions 31, a greater number of return elements 5 can be provided, each with a lower stiffness, in comparison with a second support 3 comprising a smaller number of circumferential portions. Alternatively, it can be provided that the first support 4 has an annular shape, while the second support 3 is made up of feet that are separate from each other.The one of the first support 4 and the second support 3 which has an annular shape can be fixed irremovably to the corresponding wall 1, 2, while the one of the supports 3, 4 which is made up of separate feet can be fixed removably to the corresponding wall 1, 2.

[0053] The number of circumferential portions 31 for each second support 3 can be chosen by compromise between, on the one hand, the thickness of the internal wall 1 and, on the other hand, the local stress exerted by the return elements 5 on the internal wall. Indeed, the more circumferential portions 31 a second support 3 comprises, the more the mass of the second support 3 increases, but reducing the number of circumferential portions 31 for a second support 3 requires the use of return elements 5 of greater stiffness, and therefore thickening the internal wall 1 so as to allow it to withstand the forces exerted on it by the return elements 5.

[0054] According to other embodiments, the second supports 3 do not have a generally annular shape, but are arranged, in the assembled state of the storage system 10, discreetly at predetermined circumferential positions of the external wall 1.

[0055] The supports 3, 4 may be fixed irremovably or removably to the walls 1, 2. In particular, one of the supports 3, 4 may be fixed irremovably to one of the walls 1, 2 while the other support 3, 4 is removably fixed to the other wall 1, 2. A removable attachment as defined here may in particular comprise a contact under stress between a support 3, 4 and the corresponding wall 1, 2, said stress being exerted by the return element 5. This allows a simple and reversible assembly of the storage system from a disassembled state of the tank, the supports 3, 4 being able to be maintained, during the assembly of the support system on the tank 10, in a position in which they occupy a radial space smaller than the inter-wall space 14 so as to allow the walls 1, 2 to be placed radially opposite one another, the supports 3, 4 being located in the inter-wall space 14.According to one embodiment, the support system comprises a screen 19 arranged, in the assembled state of the hydrogen storage system 100, against the radially internal surface of the internal wall 1 in order to distribute the force exerted by the support 3, 4 on the lateral part 13 of the internal wall 1. In addition to avoiding damage to the internal wall 1 by exercising a mechanical reinforcement function, the screen 19 allows a better distribution of the forces, and consequently a reduction in the sloshing movements of the hydrogen in the tank 10. According to one embodiment, the second support 3 is fixed in an irremovable manner, in particular by gluing, on the external wall 1, and the first support 4 is held in contact with the internal wall 2 by the contact force exerted by the return element 5, once the storage tank is in its assembled state, without irremovable fixing between the first support 4 and the internal wall 2.The absence of an irremovable fastener in contact with the inner wall 1 makes it possible to avoid any risk of damaging it and to minimize thermal transfers by conduction, which could take place between the fastener - for example the glue - and the inner wall 1. However, in other embodiments, the irremovable fastener is provided between the first support 4 and the inner wall 2, and the first support 3 is held in contact with the outer wall 2 by the contact force exerted by the return element.

[0056] No alteration of the outer wall 1 itself is necessary to fix the second support 3 irremovably to the outer wall 1. In particular, no holes are drilled in the outer wall 1, so that the outer wall 1 remains as thermally insulating as possible, thus minimizing heat transfer between the exterior and the interior of the storage tank.

[0057] The support 3, 4 fixed in a non-removable manner to a wall 1, 2 can in particular be fixed to this wall by gluing.

[0058] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for assembling a storage system as defined above, comprising the following successive steps: a. fixing one of the supports 3, 4 to the corresponding wall 1, 2 in an irremovable manner, b. applying a mounting constraint to the return element 5. The return element 5 then constrains the supports 3, 4 into a mounting position, in which they occupy a space, in their main direction X34, which is less than the inter-wall space 14, c. placing the walls 2, 1 opposite each other in the radial direction by relative axial displacement of the inner wall 2 relative to the outer wall 1. The wall which is not yet in contact with a support can for example be moved axially to come opposite the other wall, the supports 3, 4 not interfering with this displacement thanks to the application of the mounting constraint, d.stopping the application of the mounting constraint. The support which is not yet in contact with a wall then moves in the radial direction, under the effect of the restoring force, and comes into contact under constraint with the corresponding wall 1, 2.

[0059] The hydrogen storage system 100 can then be disassembled simply by reversing the assembly method, i.e. by applying a stress to the return element 5 so as to allow the walls 1, 2 to move relative to each other. This rapid disassembly is particularly advantageous when maintenance operations must be carried out on the hydrogen storage system 100.

[0060] A holding element 8 may be provided to prevent relative radial displacement between the first support 4 and the second support 3, in their main direction X34, beyond a given maximum value. In particular, such a holding element 8 may be used during the assembly of the storage system as defined above, so as to hold the supports 3, 4 in the mounting position. The holding element 8 makes it possible to bring the walls 2, 1 opposite one another in the axial direction, without risk of interference from the supports 3, 4 since they then occupy a radial space less than the inter-wall space 14, and without it being necessary for an operator to apply the mounting constraint during the entire step c. of placing the walls 1, 2 opposite one another.In particular, the operator can, during assembly or disassembly of the storage system 100, hold the supports 3, 4 with one hand, without the risk of the two supports 3, 4 becoming detached thanks to the holding element 8.

[0061] According to an embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the holding element 8 takes the form of a pin 8 which can be inserted into holding orifices 81, 82 of the first support 4 and the second support 3 respectively. One of the two holding orifices 81, 82 may in particular have a diameter substantially equal to or slightly greater than an external diameter of the pin 8, the other holding orifice 81, 82 having a dimension along the main direction of the supports X34 greater than the external diameter of the pin 8 so as to allow a relative displacement of the supports 3, 4 relative to each other along their main direction X34, this displacement being limited to a maximum value.

[0062] According to one implementation of the assembly method, thermal insulation elements are placed in the inter-wall space 14, either before step c. of placing the walls 2, 1 opposite each other in the radial direction, in particular when the thermal insulation elements comprise multi-layer insulation (MLI), or after step d. of stopping the application of the assembly stress, in particular when the thermal insulation elements comprise perlite beads. Another aspect of the invention relates to a hydrogen storage system 100 comprising a tank 10, the tank 10 comprising an outer wall 1 and an inner wall 2 defining an internal cavity configured to accommodate a volume of liquid hydrogen, an inter-wall spacing 14 being arranged between the inner wall 2 and the outer wall.

[0063] I, each of the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 1 comprising a first end

[0064] II, 21 and a second end 12, 22 opposite the first end 11, 21, each of the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 1 further comprising a substantially cylindrical lateral portion 13, 23, the lateral portion being arranged between the first end 11, 21 and the second end 12, 22, the hydrogen storage system 100 further comprising a support system as defined previously.

[0065] According to one embodiment, piping elements 7 for transporting hydrogen from the internal cavity to the outside extend between the internal wall 2 and the external wall 1, in the inter-wall space 14. Electronic elements may also be arranged in the inter-wall space 14, when these are necessary for the proper functioning of the hydrogen storage system 100.

[0066] According to one embodiment, an intermediate wall is arranged in the inter-wall space 14. Such an intermediate wall may in particular be cooled to an intermediate temperature between the ambient temperature, outside the storage system, and the temperature of the hydrogen in the internal cavity, so as to reduce the heat exchanges between the external wall 1 and the internal wall 2, these walls being respectively in contact with the ambient air and the liquid hydrogen. The intermediate wall may comprise openings allowing the passage of the first support 4 and / or the second support 3 through the intermediate wall.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Hydrogen storage system (100) comprising a tank (10) for storing hydrogen, the tank comprising: an outer wall (1), an inner wall (2) defining an internal cavity configured to accommodate a volume of liquid hydrogen, each of the outer wall (1) and the inner wall (2) comprising: a first end (11, 21) and a second end (12, 22) opposite the first end, a substantially cylindrical lateral portion (13, 23) extending along a main axis (X13) between the first end (11, 21) and the second end (12, 22), the lateral portion (13) of the outer wall (1) and the lateral portion (23) of the inner wall (2) defining between them an inter-wall space (14), the storage system further comprising a support system comprising a first support (4), a second support (3) and a return element (5),the first support (4) and the second support (3) being movable relative to each other in a main direction (X34) of the supports against a restoring force exerted by the restoring element (5), the first support (4), the second support (3) and the restoring element (5) being configured so that, in a mounted state of the support system on the tank (10) in which the first support (4) and the second support are arranged in the inter-wall space (14), the restoring element (5) urges the first support (4) into contact with the lateral portion (23) of the inner wall (2) and the second support (3) into contact with the lateral portion (13) of the outer wall (1), in which the second support (4) is glued to the outer wall (1), the first support (4) being held in contact with the inner wall (2) by a restoring force exerted by the restoring element (5)., 2. Hydrogen storage system (100) according to claim 1, comprising several first supports (4) and several second supports (3) distributed along the lateral portions (13, 23) in the axial direction.

3. Hydrogen storage system (100) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the return element (5) comprises a spring and / or at least one elastic washer, in particular a “Belleville” type washer.

4. Hydrogen storage system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising an element (6) for distributing the stress exerted by the return element (5) on the first support (4) and / or on the second support (3).

5. Hydrogen storage system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a holding element (8) configured to prevent relative movement of the first support (4) relative to the second support (3) in the main direction (X34) of the supports beyond a maximum value.

6. Hydrogen storage system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first support (4) and / or the second support (3) comprises a thermally insulating material.

7. Hydrogen storage system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the thermally insulating material consists of a plastic material and / or a composite material, in particular a glass-reinforced plastic.

8. Hydrogen storage system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first support (4) and / or the second support (3) comprises a plurality of circumferential portions each extending over a part of a circumference of the side walls (13, 23), the circumferential portions being connected to each other by assembly elements (32), in particular chosen from pins and screw-nut assemblies.

9. Hydrogen storage system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein piping elements (7) and / or electronic elements extend at least partly into the inter-wall space (14).

10. Hydrogen storage system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein an intermediate wall is arranged between the inner wall (2) and the outer wall (1).

11. Hydrogen storage system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the return element (5) and / or the distribution element (6) is arranged closer to the outer wall (2) than to the inner wall (1) in the radial direction.

12. Hydrogen storage system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the contact between the first support (4) and the lateral portion (23) of the internal wall (2) is carried out by means of a screen configured to distribute the force exerted by the first support (4) on the lateral part (23) of the internal wall (2).

13. A method of assembling a hydrogen storage system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising the following successive steps: a. irremovably fixing the first support (4) to the inner wall (2), b. applying a mounting stress to the return element (5) so as to place the first support (4) and the second support (3) in a mounting position in which a radial space occupied by the supports (3, 4) is less than the inter-wall space (14), c. placing the inner wall (2) and the outer wall (1) opposite each other in the radial direction, d. stopping the application of the mounting stress, the first support (4) and the second support (3) adopting a position in which they occupy a radial space equal to the inter-wall space (14).

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