Storage tank for a liquefied fluid, adjustment device, installation and method of assembling such a tank.

Abstract

Tank (1) for storing a liquefied fluid, for example liquid hydrogen, comprising an inner casing (11) intended to contain the liquefied fluid and an outer casing (12) intended to protect the inner casing (11), the inner casing (11) and the outer casing (12) being spaced apart by an interval (13) provided with a thermal insulation system, the inner casing (11) and the outer casing (12) each comprising a tubular central portion, respectively inner (111) and outer (121), extending in a main direction (X) of the tank (1), the inner casing (11) and the outer casing (12) each also comprising opposite bottoms, respectively inner bottoms (112a, 112b) and outer bottoms (122a, 122b), characterized in that it comprises a boss (14) carried by the inner casing (11) in a direction perpendicular to the main direction (X),and extending in the gap (13) between the inner casing (11) and the outer casing (12), the boss (14) being accessible from a closable opening (15) of the outer casing (12), the boss (14) being configured to cooperate with a third-party device (2) to drive the inner casing (11) and the outer casing (12) in a relative movement with respect to each other in the direction perpendicular to the main direction (X). Abstract figure: Figure 2,

Description

Title of the invention: Storage tank for a liquefied fluid, adjustment device, installation and method of assembling such a tank.

[0001] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a storage tank for a liquefied cryogenic fluid. The fluid in question may be liquefied hydrogen.

[0002] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a coaxiality adjustment device for such a tank.

[0003] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to an installation comprising such a reservoir and such a device.

[0004] Finally, according to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a method of assembling such a tank using such an adjustment device.

[0005] The storage tank for a liquefied fluid generally comprises an inner casing intended to contain the fluid and an outer casing intended to protect the inner casing. The outer casing and the inner casing are spaced apart by an interval provided with a thermal insulation system, for example under vacuum. The inner casing and the outer casing each comprise a tubular central portion, respectively inner and outer, which extend in the main direction of the tank. In addition, the inner casing and the outer casing each have opposite bottoms, respectively inner bottoms and outer bottoms.

[0006] To assemble the tank described above, firstly, a first end of the outer casing is closed by means of a first bottom to form an outer casing open at a second opposite end. Then, the semi-open outer casing is arranged vertically to receive the inner casing therein. Finally, the second end is in turn closed by means of a second bottom, before a final step which consists of permanently fixing the outer bottoms to the external central tubular portion of the outer casing.

[0007] For the purposes of this fixing, which can be carried out for example by welding, the closed external envelope is held in a vertical position relative to the ground, with one of the external bottoms in the upper position, and the other of the external bottoms in the lower position. The vertical position is preferred because it allows the internal envelope to be centered relative to the external envelope, before welding the external bottoms to the external central tubular portion of the external envelope.

[0008] If the welding of the upper bottom to the tubular portion of the external casing can be carried out without great difficulty, the welding of the lower bottom remains a complicated maneuver.

[0009] Therefore, there appears to be a need to rethink the design of the storage tank so as to facilitate its assembly, and in particular the welding of the external bottoms onto the central cylindrical portion of the external casing.

[0010] To this end, according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a storage tank for a liquefied fluid, in accordance with the generic definition given in the preamble above.

[0011] According to this first aspect of the invention, the tank is essentially characterized in that it comprises a boss which is carried by the inner casing and extends in the gap between the inner casing and the outer casing, in a direction perpendicular to the main direction of the tank. The boss is accessible from a closable opening of the outer casing. Furthermore, the boss is configured to cooperate with a third-party device so as to drive the inner casing and the outer casing in a relative movement with respect to each other in the direction perpendicular to the main direction.

[0012] Thus, by providing a boss as described above, the invention opens up the possibility of adjusting the position of the internal envelope relative to the external envelope by operating from outside the tank, and in a direction facilitating the operator's maneuvers. The invention also opens up the possibility of keeping the internal and external envelopes coaxial, thanks to cooperation between the boss and a third-party device of complementary geometry.

[0013] By "third party device" is meant a device which is not part of the tank, but which can cooperate reversibly with the boss to facilitate the assembly of the tank. It may be a device for adjusting the coaxiality between the external casing and the internal casing of the tank.

[0014] Other embodiments of the reservoir include the following features: - the boss is configured to cooperate by screwing with the third-party device; - the boss has an internal (or external) thread intended to cooperate with an external (or internal) thread of the third-party device; - the tank includes a receptacle fixed to the internal casing; - the receptacle forms with the internal envelope a housing intended to receive an adsorbent; - the boss is formed on the receptacle; - the boss forms a passage conduit for the adsorbent from the opening of the external casing to the housing; - the receptacle is positioned at one of the internal bottoms of the internal envelope; - the receptacle comprises a side wall extending in the main direction as well as a transverse base to the side wall; - the boss extends from the side wall of the receptacle; - the internal bases of the internal envelope each carry a first centering member extending in the main direction; - the external bases of the external envelope each carry a second centering member extending in the main direction; - the respective centering members of the internal bottom and the external bottom located on the same side of the tank are fitted into each other; - the external envelope is equipped with at least one projection intended to receive the third-party device; - at least one projection of the outer envelope is formed near the opening of the outer envelope; - the at least one projection of the outer envelope comprises an outer branch and an inner branch, the inner branch being shorter than the outer branch; - the branches of the at least one projection of the external envelope are connected to each other by a bridge forming a flat base intended to receive the third-party device.

[0015] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a coaxiality adjustment device for a storage tank defined above. The device comprises: - a support extending in a main direction; - a sleeve configured to be mounted through a passage of the support in a direction perpendicular to the main direction, the sleeve comprising a first end provided with an adjustment member, such as a thread; - a handle fixed to the sleeve and intended to rotate the sleeve relative to the support when the device is in use, the handle and the adjustment member being positioned on either side of the support; - a connecting member configured to reversibly fix the sleeve to the support for the purposes of storing and / or transporting the device.

[0016] Other embodiments of the coaxiality adjustment device include the following features: - the sleeve comprises a second end provided with a plate; - the connecting member is configured to fix the plate to the support; - the support comprises a body comprising two opposite main faces: a first main face and a second main face; - the passage intended to receive the sleeve extends between the two main faces of the support.

[0017] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to an installation comprising a storage tank and an adjustment device as defined previously.

[0018] The support of the adjustment device is configured to bear on the envelope external of the tank. The sleeve of the adjustment device is configured to engage in the opening formed at the external casing of the tank so as to cooperate with the boss carried by the internal casing of the tank. The handle of the adjustment device is configured to drive the sleeve in a relative movement with respect to the boss.

[0019] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a method of assembling the storage tank as described above. The method uses the coaxiality adjustment device as described above. The method comprises the following successive steps: - a step of closing a first end of the outer casing by mounting a first outer bottom to form an outer casing open at a second opposite end; - a step of inserting the inner envelope into the open outer envelope; - a step of inserting the adjustment device through the opening of the external casing, leading to cooperation between the sleeve of the adjustment device and the boss carried by the internal casing; - a step of adjusting the coaxiality between the internal casing and the external casing thanks to a relative movement between the sleeve of the adjustment device and the boss carried by the internal casing - a step of closing the second end of the external envelope by mounting a second external bottom.

[0020] Other features and advantages will appear on reading the description below, given with reference to the following figures in which:

[0021] [Fig-1] is an isometric view illustrating a storage tank and a coaxiality adjustment device according to the invention, the adjustment device being mounted on the storage tank.

[0022] [Fig.2] is an isometric view illustrating a detail of [Fig.l];

[0023] [Fig.3] is a plan sectional view illustrating the reservoir and the device of [Fig.l], the tank comprising an outer casing and an inner casing;

[0024] [Fig.4] is a sectional view illustrating a detail of [Fig.3];

[0025] [Fig.5] is an isometric view illustrating the storage tank of [Fig.l] alone, without the adjustment device;

[0026] [Fig.6] is an isometric view illustrating the device of [Fig.l] alone, without the storage tank;

[0027] [Fig.7] is an isometric view illustrating the external envelope of [Fig.2] in a semi-open configuration and in an upright position;

[0028] [Fig.8] is an isometric view illustrating a positioning of the internal envelope above the open outer envelope;

[0029] [Fig.9] is an isometric view illustrating the start of insertion of the internal envelope in the open outer envelope;

[0030] [Fig. 10] is an isometric view illustrating the storage tank in a confi horizontal structure.

[0031] As illustrated in [Fig.l] and [Fig.3], the invention relates to a double-jacketed storage tank 1 for storing, for example, a cryogenic fluid.

[0032] The tank 1 extends along a main longitudinal direction X. In addition, the tank 1 has a vertical transverse median plane TV, a vertical longitudinal median plane LV and a horizontal longitudinal median plane LH. The planes TV, LV, LH are defined by considering the main direction X parallel to the ground.

[0033] With reference to [Fig. 3], the tank 1 comprises an internal casing 11 intended to contain the liquefied fluid, and an external casing 12 covering the internal casing 11. The external casing 12 is intended to protect the internal casing 11. The internal casing 11 and the external casing 12 are spaced apart so as to form an interval 13 provided with a thermal insulation system.

[0034] The thermal insulation system may be formed by a vacuum created in the gap 13 and / or contain a thermal insulator, for example of the “multi-layer” (“MLI”) type.

[0035] The inner casing 11 and the outer casing 12 each comprise a cylindrical central portion with a circular section, respectively inner cylindrical central portion 111 and outer cylindrical central portion 121, which extend along the main direction X of the tank 1. In addition, the inner casing 11 and the outer casing 12 each comprise opposite bottoms, respectively inner bottoms 112a, 122b, and outer bottoms 122a, 122b. These bottoms 112a, 122b; 122a, 122b may be curved.

[0036] The internal central portion 111 and the internal bottoms 112a, 112b of the internal casing 11 form a sealed housing 113 intended to contain the fluid. Similarly, the external central portion 121 and the external bottoms 122a, 122b of the external casing 12 form a housing in which the internal casing 11 is arranged.

[0037] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.3] and [Fig.4], the internal bottoms 112a, 112b have a concavity facing the outside of the tank 1. One of the external bottoms 122a, 122b, here the external bottom 122b, has a concavity facing the inside of the tank 1. The other of the external bottoms 122a, 122b, here the external bottom 122a, has a concavity facing the outside of the tank 1.

[0038] According to the invention, the reservoir 1 comprises a boss 14 which is carried by the internal casing 11 in a direction perpendicular to the main direction X of the reservoir 1, and extends in the interval 13 between the internal casing 11 and the external casing 12. The boss 14 is accessible from a re-closable opening 15 formed at the level of the external casing 12. The opening 15 is visible at the [Fig.5]. Furthermore, the boss 14 is configured to cooperate with a 2-third device.

[0039] By “third-party device”, we mean a device which is not part of the tank 1 when it is in operation, but which can be reversibly coupled to the boss 14 carried by the internal casing 11. The 2-third device has a geometry complementary to that of the boss 14. It may be a coaxiality adjustment device 2 as described later in the description.

[0040] Thus, by providing a boss 14 as described above, the invention opens up the possibility of adjusting the relative position of the inner casing 11 with respect to the outer casing 12 by an operation performed and controlled from outside the tank 1, and in a direction facilitating the maneuvers of the operator. Furthermore, the invention opens up the possibility of adjusting the relative position of the inner casing 11 with respect to the outer casing 12 from an element of the tank 1, namely the boss 14, intended to be concealed in the gap 13 between the inner casing 11 and the outer casing 12.

[0041] Advantageously, after the assembly and adjustment operation, the opening 15 of the external casing 12 is closed in a sealed manner by means of a cover so that after closing this opening 15, the boss 14 becomes invisible and inaccessible from the outside of the tank 1.

[0042] Advantageously, as better illustrated in [Fig. 3], the internal bottoms 112a, 112b can each be provided with a centering member 114a, 114b which extends along the main direction X of the tank 1, towards the inside of the internal envelope 11. The centering members 114a, 114b, respectively first centering member 114a and second centering member 114b, are therefore arranged opposite one another, and more specifically symmetrically with respect to the vertical transverse median plane TV of the tank 1.

[0043] It should be noted that the first centering member 114a and the second centering member 114b may be fixed or be integral with the internal bottoms 112a, 112b of the internal casing 11 by means of mounting supports, respectively first mounting support 115a and second mounting support 115b.

[0044] Still with reference to [Fig. 3], the external bottoms 122a, 122b of the external casing 12 are each provided with a centering member 124a, 124b which extends along the main longitudinal direction X of the tank 1, towards the inside of the tank 1. These centering members, respectively third centering member 124a and fourth centering member 124b are arranged opposite one another, and preferably, symmetrically with respect to the median vertical transverse plane TV of the tank 1.

[0045] It should be noted that the third centering member 124a and the fourth centering member 124b may be fixed to the external bottoms 122a, 122b of the envelope external 12 via mounting brackets, respectively third mounting bracket 125a and fourth mounting bracket 125b.

[0046] The centering members 114a, 114b fixed on the internal bottoms 112a, 112b of the internal envelope 11 cooperate respectively with the centering members 124a, 124b fixed on the external bottoms 122a, 122b of the external envelope 12 to center the internal envelope 11 relative to the external envelope 12. In other words, the centering members 114a, 114b; 124a, 124b cooperate to ensure coaxiality between the internal envelope 11 and the external envelope 12.

[0047] More specifically, the first centering member 114a fixed to the internal bottom 112a of the internal casing 11 cooperates with the third centering member 124a fixed to the external bottom 122a of the external casing 12. The second centering member 112b fixed to the internal bottom 112b of the internal casing 11 cooperates with the fourth centering member 124b fixed to the external bottom 122b of the external casing 12.

[0048] The centering members 114a, 114b; 124a, 124b also participate in maintaining the internal envelope 11 in the external envelope 12.

[0049] Advantageously, the internal casing 11 may be provided with at least one lifting lug 116 configured to receive a handling cable. In addition, the internal casing 11 may be covered with a thermal insulation layer 117.

[0050] Advantageously, as illustrated in [Fig. 3], the tank 1 may also comprise a receptacle 16 fixed to the internal casing 11 to form a housing 17 intended to receive an adsorbent. In particular, the receptacle 16 is fixed at one of the internal bottoms 112a, 112b of the internal casing 11, here at the internal bottom 112b. The internal casing 11 and the receptacle 16 may thus form a compact subassembly which may be covered by the same thermal insulation layer 117.

[0051] With reference to [Fig.4], the receptacle 16 comprises a lateral wall 161 which extends along the main direction X of the tank 1. The receptacle 16 also comprises a base 162 transverse to the lateral wall 161. The lateral wall 161 carries the boss 14.

[0052] When the receptacle 16 is present in the tank 1, the opening 15 of the outer casing 12 can provide an additional function, namely receiving the adsorbent. In addition, the boss 14 can provide an additional function, namely ensuring passage of the adsorbent from the opening 15 of the outer casing 12 to the housing 17.

[0053] Advantageously, the internal casing 11 is equipped with pipes 118 intended to supply the fluid storage housing 113 and / or to withdraw the fluid from this housing 113. These pipes 118 can be mounted through one of the internal bottoms 112a, 112b, here the internal bottom 112a. In addition, these pipes 118 comprise by example each an internal portion extending inside the housing 113 and an external portion extending outside the housing 113.

[0054] It should be noted that the external portions of the tubes 118 can also be mounted through one of the external bottoms 122a, 122b of the external casing 12, here the external bottom 122a.

[0055] Advantageously, the tank 1 is preferably equipped with a connector and / or valve 18 intended to create a vacuum in the gap 13 between the internal casing 11 and the external casing 12. The valve 18 is positioned for example on one of the external bottoms 122a, 122b of the external casing 12, here on the external bottom 122a.

[0056] Advantageously, with reference again to [Fig. 1], the external casing 12 may comprise at least one pair of lifting lugs 127a, 127b arranged at the external central portion 121. The lifting lugs 127a, 127b are configured to receive a cable allowing handling of the tank 1.

[0057] In the example illustrated, the outer casing 12 is provided with two pairs of lifting lugs 127a, 127b. The pairs are positioned on either side of the vertical longitudinal median plane LV of the tank 1. In each pair, the lugs 127a, 127b are arranged on either side of the vertical transverse median plane TV.

[0058] Advantageously, with reference to [Fig.l], the external casing 12 has at least one pair of legs 128a, 128b arranged at the level of the external central portion 121. The legs 128a, 128b allow the tank 1 to be received horizontally on a flat support.

[0059] In the example illustrated, the outer casing 12 is provided with two pairs of legs 128a, 128b. The pairs are positioned on either side of the vertical longitudinal median plane LV. In each pair, the legs 128a, 128b are arranged on either side of the vertical transverse median plane TV.

[0060] Advantageously, with reference to [Fig.l], the external casing 12 has at least one pair of handling pins 129 allowing the tank 1 to be tilted from a vertical position to a horizontal position or vice versa. The pins 129 are positioned at the level of the vertical transverse median plane TV, and on either side of the vertical longitudinal median plane LV.

[0061] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a device 2 for adjusting the co-axiality between the internal casing 11 and the external casing 12 of the tank 1 described above.

[0062] With reference to [Fig.6], the adjustment device 2 comprises a support 21 which extends in a main direction Z. The adjustment device 2 also comprises a sleeve 22 mounted through the support 21 in a direction perpendicular to the main direction Z of the support 21. Finally, the device 2 comprises a handle 23 fixed to the sleeve 22 and intended to bear on the support 21.

[0063] In particular, the support 21 is intended to be fixed on the central part 121 of the external casing 12 of the tank 1. After fixing the support 21 on the central part 121 of the external casing 12, the main direction Z of the support 21 is orthogonal to the main direction Z of the tank 1 (see [Fig.l]).

[0064] Furthermore, the support 21 comprises a body 211 which has two opposite main faces: a first main face 211a intended to serve as a support for the handle 23, and a second main face 211b intended to be fixed to the central part 121 of the external casing 12 of the tank 1.

[0065] Finally, the support 21 comprises a passage formed through the body 211 of the support 21, perpendicular to the main direction Z of the support 21. The passage extends between the main faces 211a, 211b of the body 211 of the support 21. The passage is intended to receive the sleeve 22.

[0066] The sleeve 22 is intended to engage in the opening 15 formed at the level of the external casing 12 of the tank 1 to cooperate with the boss 14 carried by the internal casing 11.

[0067] By “cooperate” is meant that the sleeve 22 can be fitted into the boss 14 or be threaded along the boss 14, for relative movement between the sleeve 22 and the boss 14 carried by the inner casing 11.

[0068] The relative movement between the sleeve 22 of the adjustment device 2 and the boss 14 carried by the internal casing 11 of the tank 1 leads to a relative movement between the internal casing 11 and the external casing 12 of the tank 1. This relative movement can be a simple translation or a translation / rotation around the main direction of the sleeve 22, causing a translation of the internal casing 11 relative to the external casing 12 along the main direction of the sleeve 22.

[0069] The relative movement between the sleeve 22 of the adjustment device 2 and the boss 14 carried by the internal casing 11 of the tank 1 is made possible by a first adjustment member formed at the sleeve 22 and a second adjustment member formed at the boss 14. In the example illustrated, the first adjustment member is an external thread at the sleeve 22. The second guide member is a tapping at the boss 14.

[0070] The arrangement of guide members described above (thread for the sleeve 22 and tapping for the boss 14) is suitable for an embodiment in which the sleeve 22 is fitted into the boss 14 carried by the internal casing 11 of the tank 1. In an embodiment (not illustrated) in which the sleeve 22 is intended to be threaded along the boss 14 carried by the internal casing 11 of the tank 1, the sleeve 22 may have a tapping and the boss may have an external thread. In both cases above, the sleeve 22 is intended to cooperate by screwing with the boss 14 carried by the internal casing 11 of the tank 1.

[0071] Other types of adjustment member (or types of connection) between the sleeve 22 and the boss 14 may be envisaged for the purpose of causing a translation of the internal casing 11 relative to the external casing 12 of the tank 1. For example, one between the sleeve 22 and the boss 14 may comprise a lug as an adjustment member. The other between the sleeve 22 and the boss 14 may comprise a groove as an adjustment member. The groove is intended to receive the lug, for example according to a bayonet-type connection.

[0072] Advantageously, the sleeve 22 has an upper end equipped with a locking plate 24. This plate 24 is reversibly fixed to the support 21 by means of a connecting member. In the example illustrated, the connecting member comprises screws arranged parallel to the sleeve 22.

[0073] The connecting member thus makes it possible to keep the sleeve 22 secured to the support 21, for example for the purposes of transporting and / or storing the adjustment device 2. In other words, the connecting member prevents any movement of the sleeve 22 relative to the support 21 outside of the use of the adjustment device 2.

[0074] To use the adjustment device 2, and in particular to allow movement of the sleeve 22 relative to the support 21 and relative to the boss 14, the connecting member connecting the sleeve 22 and the support 21 must be removed.

[0075] The handle 23 comprises a rod 231 which extends through the sleeve 22 and a hoop 232 which is connected to the rod 231. In particular, the rod 231 is intended to bear on one of the main faces 211a, 211b of the support 21, here the face 211a. The hoop 232 forms a gripping member intended to facilitate the movement of the sleeve 22 relative to the boss 14.

[0076] In order to receive the support 21 of the adjustment device 2, the external casing 12 of the tank 1 is provided with at least two radial projections 126.

[0077] In particular, the radial projections 126 are positioned at the level of the external central part 121 of the external envelope 12 (see in particular [Fig.l] and [Fig.2]). Furthermore, the radial projections 126 extend along a periphery of the external central part 121 of the external envelope 12. Finally, the radial projections 126 are angularly offset from each other around the main direction X of the tank 1.

[0078] Advantageously, the radial projections 126 are symmetrical with respect to the vertical longitudinal median plane LV of the tank 1.

[0079] With reference to [Fig.2], the radial projections 126 each comprise an external branch 126a and an internal branch 126b connected to each other by a bridge 126c. On each radial projection 126, the external branch 126a and the internal branch 126b are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the bridge 126c. The bridge 126c forms a flat base capable of receiving the support 21 of the adjustment device 2. To do this, the inner branch 126b has a height lower than that of outer branch 126a.

[0080] The terms “internal” and “external” are defined herein with respect to the vertical longitudinal median plane LV of the tank 1 by considering any two points located on a vertical transverse plane. Thus, the term “internal” refers to the point closest to the vertical longitudinal median plane LV. The term “external” refers to the point furthest from the vertical longitudinal median plane LV.

[0081] To assemble the tank 1 described above, the invention introduces an assembly method which implements the coaxiality adjustment device 2 described above.

[0082] A first step of the method consists in closing a first end of the outer casing 12 by mounting a first outer bottom 122b. This results in an outer casing 12 open at a second opposite end. The open outer casing 12 is illustrated in [Fig.7].

[0083] In a second step illustrated in [Fig.8], [Fig.9], the internal envelope 11 (assembled) is positioned opposite the open external envelope 12, and in particular above the external envelope 12, then gradually inserted into it.

[0084] For the purposes of this second step, the open outer casing 12 may be arranged perpendicular to the ground. The closed end of the outer casing 12 occupies a lower position while the open end of the outer casing 12 occupies an upper position. The respective centering members 114b, 124b of the inner bottom 112b of the inner casing 11 and of the outer bottom 121b of the outer casing 12 cooperate to ensure centering of the inner casing 11 relative to the outer casing 12.

[0085] Advantageously, upstream of this second step, the method can provide an operation of fixing the receptacle 16 on the internal casing 11 of the tank 1, and an operation consisting of covering the subassembly formed by the internal casing 11 and the receptacle 16 with a layer 117 of thermal insulation.

[0086] In a third step, the adjustment device 2 is mounted through the opening 15 of the external casing 12. Thus, the sleeve 22 of the adjustment device 2 cooperates with the boss 14 carried by the internal casing 11.

[0087] In a fourth step, the position of the inner casing 11 relative to the outer casing 12 is adjusted by moving one relative to the other in a direction perpendicular to the main X direction of the tank 1. This adjustment aims to align the inner casing 11 and the outer casing 12 on the same axis, i.e. on the main X axis of the tank 1. In other words, this adjustment aims to make the inner casing 11 and the outer casing 12 coaxial.

[0088] It should be noted that the adjustment of the position of the internal envelope 11 by relative to the outer casing can be carried out by screwing / unscrewing the sleeve 22 of the adjustment device 2 relative to the boss 14 carried by the inner casing 11 of the tank 1. This screwing / unscrewing generates a tensile force on the inner casing 11 in the main direction of the sleeve 22, tending to move the inner casing 11 relative to the outer casing 12 along the main direction of the sleeve.

[0089] Once the two envelopes 11, 12 have been made coaxial, the method may provide a fourth step during which the tank 1 can be tilted into a horizontal position (see [Fig. 10]). During this step, the two envelopes 11, 12 are kept coaxial thanks to cooperation between the sleeve 22 of the adjustment device 2 and the boss 14.

[0090] In a fifth step, the end of the outer casing 12, which has remained open until then, is in turn closed by mounting the second outer bottom 122a. This gives a completely closed outer casing 12 housing an inner casing 11 and a receptacle 16.

[0091] On the tank 1 arranged horizontally, the method provides a sixth step during which the external bottoms 122a, 122b can be welded to the external central portion 121 of the external casing 12 for permanent fixing. Welding carried out on a tank 1 arranged horizontally is easier than welding carried out on a tank arranged vertically.

[0092] Finally, after welding the external bottoms 122a, 122b onto the external central part 121 of the external casing 12, the adjustment device 2 can be removed from the tank 1. The opening 15 for access to the boss 14 can then be closed using a plug (not shown) thus masking the boss 14.

Claims

Claims

1. Tank (1) for storing a liquefied fluid, for example liquid hydrogen, comprising an inner casing (11) intended to contain the liquefied fluid and an outer casing (12) intended to protect the inner casing (11), the inner casing (11) and the outer casing (12) being spaced apart by an interval (13) provided with a thermal insulation system, the inner casing (11) and the outer casing (12) each comprising a tubular central portion, respectively inner (111) and outer (121), extending in a main direction (X) of the tank (1), the inner casing (11) and the outer casing (12) each also comprising opposite bottoms, respectively inner bottoms (112a, 112b) and outer bottoms (122a, 122b), characterized in that it comprises a boss (14) carried by the inner casing (11), in a direction perpendicular to the main direction (X),and extending in the gap (13) between the inner casing (11) and the outer casing (12), the boss (14) being accessible from a closable opening (15) of the outer casing (12), the boss (14) being configured to cooperate with a third-party device (2) so as to drive the inner casing (11) and the casing (12) in a relative movement with respect to each other in the direction perpendicular to the main direction (X).,

2. Tank (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the boss (14) is configured to cooperate by screwing with the third-party device (2), the boss (14) having an internal (or external) thread intended to cooperate with an external (or internal) thread of the third-party device (2).

3. Tank (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a receptacle (16) fixed to the internal envelope (11) and forming with the internal envelope (11) a housing (17) intended to receive an adsorbent, the boss (14) being formed on the receptacle (16) and forming a passage conduit for the adsorbent from the opening (15) of the external envelope (12) to the housing (17).

4. Tank (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the receptacle (16) is positioned at one of the internal bottoms (112a, 112b) of the internal casing (11), the receptacle (16) comprising a lateral wall (161) extending in the main direction (X) as well as a base (162) transverse to the lateral wall (161), the boss (14) extending from the lateral wall (161) of the receptacle (16).

5. Tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal bottoms (112a, 112b) of the internal casing (11) each carry a first centering member (114a, 114b) extending in the main direction (X), and in that the external bottoms (122a, 122b) of the external casing (12) each carry a second centering member (124a, 124b) extending in the main direction (X), the respective centering members (114a, 114b; 124a, 124b) of the internal bottom (112a, 112b) and of the external bottom (122a, 122b) located on the same side of the tank (1) being fitted into one another.

6. Tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer casing (12) is equipped with at least one projection (126) intended to receive the third-party device (2), the at least one projection (126) being formed near the opening (15) of the outer casing (12) and comprising an outer branch (126a) and an inner branch (126b), the branches (126a, 126b) being connected to each other by a bridge (126c) forming a flat base intended to receive the third-party device (2), the inner branch (126b) being shorter than the outer branch (126a).

7. A coaxiality adjustment device (2) for a storage tank (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the device (2) comprising: - a support (21) extending in a main direction (Z); - a sleeve (22) configured to be mounted through a passage of the support (21) in a direction perpendicular to the main direction (Z), the sleeve (22) comprising a first end provided with an adjustment member, such as a thread; - a handle (23) fixed to the sleeve (22) and intended to drive the sleeve (22) in rotation relative to the support (21) when the device (2) is in use, the handle (23) and the adjustment member being positioned on either side of the support (21) in the main direction (Z); - - a connecting member configured to reversibly fix the sleeve (22) to the support (21) for the purposes of storing and / or transporting the device (2).

8. Device (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the sleeve (22) comprises a second end provided with a plate (24), the connecting member being configured to fix the plate (24) to the support (21).

9. Device (2) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the support (21) comprises a body (211) comprising two opposite main faces: a first main face (211a) and a second main face (211b), and in that the passage intended to receive the sleeve (22) extends between the two main faces (211a, 211b) of the support (21).

10. Installation comprising a storage tank (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and an adjustment device (2) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the support (21) of the adjustment device (2) is configured to bear on the external casing (12) of the tank (1), the sleeve (22) of the adjustment device (2) is configured to engage in the opening (15) formed at the external casing (12) of the tank (1) so as to cooperate with the boss (14) carried by the internal casing (11) of the tank (1), the handle (23) of the adjustment device (2) is configured to drive the sleeve (22) in a relative movement with respect to the boss (14).

11. A method of assembling a storage tank (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the method using the adjustment device (2) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, the method comprising: - a step of closing a first end of the outer casing (12) by mounting a first outer bottom (122b) to form an outer casing (12) open at a second opposite end; - a step of inserting the inner casing (11) into the open outer casing (12); - a step of inserting the adjustment device (2) through the opening (15) of the outer casing (12), leading to cooperation between the sleeve (22) of the adjustment device (2) and the boss (14) carried by the inner casing (11);- a step of adjusting coaxiality between the internal casing (11) and the external casing (12) by means of relative movement between the sleeve (21) of the adjustment device (2) and the boss (15) carried by the internal casing (11); - a step of closing a second end of the external casing (12) by mounting a second external bottom (122a).;

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