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

Abstract

A storage tank (1) for a liquefied fluid, for example liquid hydrogen, comprising an inner shell (11) for containing the liquefied fluid and an outer shell (12) for protecting the inner shell (11), the inner shell (11) and the outer shell (12) being separated by a gap (13) provided with a thermal insulation system, the inner shell (11) and the outer shell (12) each comprising a central tubular portion, respectively internal (111) and external (121), extending along a principal direction (X) of the tank (1), the inner shell (11) and the outer shell (12) each also comprising opposing ends, respectively internal ends (112a, 112b) and external ends (122a, 122b), characterized in that it comprises a boss (14) carried by the inner shell (11) in a direction perpendicular to the principal direction (X),and extending in the gap (13) between the inner shell (11) and the outer shell (12), the boss (14) being accessible from a closable opening (15) in the outer shell (12), the boss (14) being configured to cooperate with a third device (2) to drive the inner shell (11) and the outer shell (12) in a relative motion with respect to each other in the direction perpendicular to the principal 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 tank 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] A liquefied fluid storage tank generally comprises an inner shell for containing the fluid and an outer shell for protecting the inner shell. The outer and inner shells are separated by a gap provided with a thermal insulation system, for example, a vacuum system. Each inner and outer shell comprises a central tubular portion, respectively internal and external, extending along the main direction of the tank. Furthermore, each inner and outer shell has opposing ends, respectively internal and external ends.

[0006] To assemble the tank described above, firstly, one end of the outer casing is closed with a first end cap to form an outer casing open at a second, opposite end. Next, the semi-open outer casing is positioned vertically to receive the inner casing. Finally, the second end is in turn closed with a second end cap, before a final step which consists of permanently fixing the outer ends to the central external tubular portion of the outer casing.

[0007] For the purposes of this fastening, which can be achieved, for example, by welding, the closed outer casing is held in a vertical position relative to the ground, with one of the outer ends in the upper position and the other in the lower position. The vertical position is preferred because it allows the inner casing to be centered relative to the outer casing before welding the outer ends onto the central external tubular portion of the outer casing.

[0008] While welding the upper bottom onto the tubular portion of the outer casing can be carried out without great difficulty, welding the lower bottom remains a complicated operation.

[0009] Therefore, there appears to be a need to rethink the design of the storage tank in order 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, conforming to 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 carried by the inner shell and extending into the gap between the inner and outer shells, in a direction perpendicular to the main direction of the tank. The boss is accessible through a closable opening in the outer shell. Furthermore, the boss is configured to cooperate with a third device so as to drive the inner and outer shells in a relative motion with respect to each other in the direction perpendicular to the main direction.

[0012] Thus, by providing a boss as described above, the invention makes it possible to adjust the position of the inner shell relative to the outer shell by operating from outside the tank, and in a direction that facilitates operator maneuvers. The invention also makes it possible to maintain the inner and outer shells coaxial, thanks to cooperation between the boss and a third device of complementary geometry.

[0013] By "third-party device" is meant a device that 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 coaxiality adjustment device between the outer and inner shells of the tank.

[0014] Other embodiments of the tank 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 attached to the inner casing; - the receptacle forms with the inner envelope a casing intended to receive an adsorbent; - the boss is formed on the receptacle; - the boss forms a conduit for the passage of the adsorbent from the opening of the outer envelope to the casing; - the receptacle is positioned at the level of one of the internal bases of the inner envelope; - the receptacle includes a side wall extending along the main direction and a base transverse to the side wall; - the boss extends from the side wall of the receptacle; - the internal funds of the internal envelope each carry a first centering device extending along the main direction; - the external funds of the outer envelope each carry a second centering device extending along the main direction; - the respective centering devices of the inner bottom and the outer bottom located on the same side of the tank are fitted one inside the other; - the outer casing 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; - at least one projection of the outer envelope includes an outer branch and an inner branch, the inner branch being shorter than the outer branch; - the branches of at least one projection of the outer envelope are connected to each other by a bridge forming a flat base intended to receive the third 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 along a principal 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 adjusting element, such as a thread; - a handle fixed to the sleeve and intended to drive the sleeve in rotation relative to the support when the device is in service, the handle and the adjusting element being positioned on either side of the support; - a connecting element configured to reversibly fix the sleeve to the support for the purpose of storing and / or transporting the device.

[0016] Other embodiments of the coaxiality adjustment device include the following features: - the sleeve includes a second end fitted with a plate; - the connecting element is configured to fix the plate to the support; - the support comprises a body including two opposing principal faces: a first principal face and a second principal 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 a regulating device as defined above.

[0018] The support for the adjusting device is configured to bear against the outer casing of the tank. The sleeve of the adjusting device is configured to engage in the opening formed in the outer casing of the tank so as to cooperate with the boss on the inner casing of the tank. The handle of the adjusting 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 for 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 one end of the outer envelope by mounting a first outer base to form an outer envelope 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 outer casing, leading to cooperation between the sleeve of the adjustment device and the boss carried by the inner casing; - a coaxiality adjustment step between the inner and outer envelopes through a relative movement between the sleeve of the adjustment device and the boss carried by the inner envelope - a step of closing the second end of the outer envelope by mounting a second outer base.

[0020] Other features and advantages will become apparent from the description below, made 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.1];

[0023] [Fig.3] is a planar cross-sectional view illustrating the reservoir and the device of [Fig.1], the tank comprising an outer casing and an inner casing;

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

[0025] [Fig.5] is an isometric view illustrating the storage tank of [Fig.1] alone, without the adjustment device;

[0026] [Fig.6] is an isometric view illustrating the device of [Fig.1] alone, without the storage tank;

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

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

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

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

[0031] As illustrated in [Fig.1] and [Fig.3], the invention relates to a double-jacketed storage tank 1 for the storage, for example, of 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, and LH are defined by considering the main direction X parallel to the ground.

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

[0034] The thermal insulation system can be formed by a void created in the gap 13 and / or contain thermal insulation, for example of the “multilayer” (“MLI”) type.

[0035] The inner casing 11 and the outer casing 12 each comprise a central cylindrical portion with a circular cross-section, respectively internal cylindrical central portion 111 and external cylindrical central portion 121, which extend along the principal direction X of the tank 1. In addition, the inner casing 11 and the outer casing 12 each comprise opposing ends, respectively internal ends 112a, 122b, and external ends 122a, 122b. These ends 112a, 122b; 122a, 122b may be domed.

[0036] The internal central portion 111 and the internal ends 112a, 112b of the inner casing 11 form a sealed housing 113 for containing the fluid. Similarly, the external central portion 121 and the external ends 122a, 122b of the outer casing 12 form a housing in which the inner casing 11 is disposed.

[0037] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.3] and [Fig.4], the inner bottoms 112a, 112b have a concavity facing outwards from the tank 1. One of the outer bottoms 122a, 122b, here the outer bottom 122b has a concavity facing inwards from the tank 1. The other of the outer bottoms 122a, 122b, here the outer bottom 122a, has a concavity facing outwards from the tank 1.

[0038] According to the invention, the tank 1 comprises a boss 14 which is carried by the inner casing 11 in a direction perpendicular to the principal direction X of the tank 1, and extends into the gap 13 between the inner casing 11 and The outer casing 12. The boss 14 is accessible through a resealable opening 15 formed in the outer casing 12. The opening 15 is visible in [Fig. 5]. Furthermore, the boss 14 is configured to cooperate with a 2-thirds device.

[0039] By "third device" is meant a device which is not part of the tank 1 when in operation, but which can be reversibly coupled to the boss 14 carried by the inner casing 11. The third device 2 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 makes it possible to adjust 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 that facilitates the operator's maneuvers. Furthermore, the invention makes it possible to adjust 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 outer casing 12 is sealed tightly by means of a cover so that after closing this opening 15, the boss 14 becomes invisible and inaccessible from outside the tank 1.

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

[0043] It should be noted that the first centering member 114a and the second centering member 114b can be fixed or attached to the inner bottoms 112a, 112b of the inner envelope 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 shell 12 are each provided with a centering member 124a, 124b which extends along the main longitudinal direction X of the tank 1, towards the interior of the tank 1. These centering members, respectively third centering member 124a and fourth centering member 124b, are arranged opposite each other, 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 can be fixed to the external bottoms 122a, 122b of the external envelope 12 by means of mounting supports, respectively third mounting support 125a and fourth mounting support 125b.

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

[0047] More specifically, the first centering member 114a fixed on the inner bottom 112a of the inner envelope 11 cooperates with the third centering member 124a fixed on the outer bottom 122a of the outer envelope 12. The second centering member 112b fixed on the inner bottom 112b of the inner envelope 11 cooperates with the fourth centering member 124b fixed on the outer bottom 122b of the outer envelope 12.

[0048] The centering organs 114a, 114b; 124a, 124b also participate in maintaining the inner envelope 11 within the outer envelope 12.

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

[0050] Advantageously, as illustrated in [Fig. 3], the reservoir 1 may also include a receptacle 16 attached to the inner casing 11 to form a housing 17 for receiving an adsorbent. In particular, the receptacle 16 is attached to one of the inner ends 112a, 112b of the inner casing 11, here to the inner end 112b. The inner casing 11 and the receptacle 16 can thus form a compact subassembly that can be covered by a single layer 117 of thermal insulation.

[0051] With reference to [Fig. 4], the receptacle 16 includes a lateral wall 161 extending along the main direction X of the reservoir 1. The receptacle 16 also includes 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 reservoir 1, the opening 15 of the outer casing 12 can perform an additional function, namely receiving the adsorbent. In addition, the boss 14 can perform an additional function, namely facilitating the passage of the adsorbent from the opening 15 of the outer casing 12 to the housing 17.

[0053] Advantageously, the inner casing 11 is equipped with tubes 118 for supplying the fluid storage compartment 113 and / or for withdrawing fluid from this housing 113. These tubes 118 can be mounted through one of the internal bottoms 112a, 112b, here internal bottom 112a. In addition, these tubes 118 each include, for example, an internal portion extending inside housing 113 and an external portion extending outside housing 113.

[0054] It should be noted that the external portions of the tubing 118 can also be mounted through one of the external ends 122a, 122b of the external envelope 12, here the external end 122a.

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

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

[0057] In the illustrated example, 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.1], the outer casing 12 has at least one pair of tabs 128a, 128b arranged at the level of the outer central portion 121. The tabs 128a, 128b allow the reservoir 1 to be received horizontally on a flat support.

[0059] In the illustrated example, 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. 1], the outer casing 12 has at least one pair of handling trunnions 129 allowing the tank 1 to be tilted from a vertical position to a horizontal position or vice versa. The trunnions 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 coaxiality adjustment device 2 between the inner shell 11 and the outer shell 12 of the tank 1 described above.

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

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

[0064] In addition, the support 21 includes a body 211 which has two opposing main faces: a first main face 21b intended to serve as a support for the handle 23, and a second main face 211b intended to be fixed on the central part 121 of the outer casing 12 of the tank 1.

[0065] Finally, the support 21 includes a passage formed through the body 211 of the support 21, perpendicular to the principal direction Z of the support 21. The passage extends between the principal faces 21la, 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 outer casing 12 of the tank 1 to cooperate with the boss 14 carried by the inner casing 11.

[0067] By “cooperate”, we mean the fact that the sleeve 22 can be fitted into the boss 14 or threaded along the boss 14, with a view to a relative movement between the sleeve 22 and the boss 14 carried by the inner envelope 11.

[0068] The relative movement between the sleeve 22 of the adjustment device 2 and the boss 14 carried by the inner shell 11 of the tank 1 leads to a relative movement between the inner shell 11 and the outer shell 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, resulting in a translation of the inner shell 11 relative to the outer shell 12 along the main direction of the sleeve 22.

[0069] The relative movement between the sleeve 22 of the adjusting device 2 and the boss 14 carried by the inner casing 11 of the tank 1 is made possible by means of a first adjusting member formed at the sleeve 22 and a second adjusting member formed at the boss 14. In the illustrated example, the first adjusting member is an external thread at the sleeve 22. The second guiding member is a tapped hole at the boss 14.

[0070] The arrangement of guiding elements described above (thread for the sleeve 22 and tapped hole for the boss 14) is suitable for an embodiment in which the sleeve 22 is fitted into the boss 14 carried by the inner casing 11 of the tank 1. In an embodiment (not shown) in which the sleeve 22 is intended to be threaded along the boss 14 carried by the inner casing 11 of the tank 1, the sleeve 22 may have a tapped hole 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 inner casing 11 of the tank 1.

[0071] Other types of adjusting element (or types of connection) between the sleeve 22 and the boss 14 can be considered for the purpose of causing a translation of the inner casing 11 relative to the outer casing 12 of the reservoir 1. For example, one between the sleeve 22 and the boss 14 may have a lug as an adjusting element. Another between the sleeve 22 and the boss 14 may have a groove as an adjusting element. The groove is intended to receive the lug, for example, in 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 illustrated example, the connecting member comprises screws arranged parallel to the sleeve 22.

[0073] The connecting member thus makes it possible to keep the sleeve 22 attached to the support 21, for example for the purpose 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 except when the adjustment device 2 is in use.

[0074] For the use of 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 linking the sleeve 22 and the support 21 must be removed.

[0075] The handle 23 comprises a rod 231 extending through the sleeve 22 and a bracket 232 connected to the rod 231. In particular, the rod 231 is designed to bear against one of the main faces 21a, 211b of the support 21, here face 211a. The bracket 232 forms a gripping element designed 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 outer 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 outer central portion 121 of the outer casing 12 (see especially [Fig. 1] and [Fig. 2]). Furthermore, the radial projections 126 extend around the perimeter of the outer central portion 121 of the outer casing 12. Finally, the radial projections 126 are angularly offset from each other around the main X direction of the reservoir 1.

[0078] Advantageously, the radial projections 126 are symmetrical with respect to the vertical longitudinal median plane LV of the reservoir 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 outer branch 126a and the inner branch 126b are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the bridge 126c. The bridge 126c forms a flat surface suitable for receiving the support 21 of the adjustment device 2. To achieve this, the inner branch 126b has a lower height than the outer branch 126a.

[0080] The terms "internal" and "external" are defined here with respect to the vertical longitudinal median plane LV of the tank 1, 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 process consists of closing one end of the outer casing 12 by mounting a first outer base 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 inner envelope 11 (assembled) is positioned opposite the open outer envelope 12, and in particular above the outer envelope 12, and then progressively inserted into it.

[0084] For the purposes of this second step, the open outer casing 12 can be positioned 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 a higher position. The respective centering elements 114b and 124b of the inner base 112b of the inner casing 11 and the outer base 121b of the outer casing 12 cooperate to ensure that the inner casing 11 is centered relative to the outer casing 12.

[0085] Advantageously, upstream of this second step, the process may provide for an operation of fixing the receptacle 16 on the inner shell 11 of the tank 1, and an operation consisting of covering the sub-assembly formed by the inner shell 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 outer casing 12. Thus, the sleeve 22 of the adjustment device 2 cooperates with the boss 14 carried by the inner 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, that is to say on the main X axis of tank 1. In other words, this adjustment aims to make the inner shell 11 and the outer shell 12 coaxial.

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

[0089] Once the two envelopes 11, 12 are made coaxial, the method may include a fourth step in which the reservoir 1 can be tilted into a horizontal position (see [Fig. 10]). During this step, the two envelopes 11, 12 are kept coaxial by means of cooperation between the sleeve 22 of the adjusting device 2 and the boss 14.

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

[0091] On the horizontally arranged tank 1, the process includes a sixth step in which the outer ends 122a, 122b can be welded to the outer central portion 121 of the outer casing 12 for permanent attachment. Welding on a horizontally arranged tank 1 is easier than welding on a vertically arranged tank.

[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 access opening 15 to the boss 14 can then be closed by means of a plug (not shown) thus masking the boss 14.

Claims

Demands

1. A storage tank (1) for a liquefied fluid, for example liquid hydrogen, comprising an inner shell (11) for containing the liquefied fluid and an outer shell (12) for protecting the inner shell (11), the inner shell (11) and the outer shell (12) being separated by a gap (13) provided with a thermal insulation system, the inner shell (11) and the outer shell (12) each comprising a central tubular portion, respectively internal (111) and external (121), extending along a principal direction (X) of the tank (1), the inner shell (11) and the outer shell (12) each also comprising opposing ends, respectively internal ends (112a, 112b) and external ends (122a, 122b), the tank further comprising a boss (14) carried by the inner shell (11), in a direction perpendicular to the direction (X) main,and extending in the interval (13) between the inner envelope (11) and the outer envelope (12), the boss (14) being accessible from a closable opening (15) in the outer envelope (12), the boss (14) being configured to cooperate with a third device (2) so as to drive the inner envelope (11) and the envelope (12) in a relative movement with respect to each other in the direction perpendicular to the principal direction (X), characterized in that it comprises a receptacle (16) fixed to the inner envelope (11) and forming with the inner envelope (11) a housing (17) for receiving an adsorbent, the boss (14) being formed on the receptacle (16) and forming a conduit for the passage of the adsorbent from the opening (15) of the outer envelope (12) to the housing (17).

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

3. Reservoir (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle (16) is positioned at one of the internal bottoms (112a, 112b) of the inner casing (11), the receptacle (16) comprising a lateral wall (161) extending along the main direction (X) and a base (162) transverse to the lateral wall (161), the boss (14) extending from the lateral wall (161) of the receptacle (16).

4. Tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner bottoms (112a, 112b) of the inner shell (11) each carry a first centering member (114a, 114b) extending along the main direction (X), and in that the outer bottoms (122a, 122b) of the outer shell (12) each carry a second centering member (124a, 124b) extending along the main direction (X), the respective centering members (114a, 114b; 124a, 124b) of the inner bottom (112a, 112b) and of the outer bottom (122a, 122b) located on the same side of the tank (1) being nested one inside the other.

5. Reservoir (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 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 seat intended to receive the third device (2), the inner branch (126b) being shorter than the outer branch (126a).

6. A coaxiality adjustment device (2) for a storage tank (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the device (2) comprising: - a support (21) extending along a principal direction (Z); - a sleeve (22) configured to be mounted through a passage in the support (21) along a direction perpendicular to the principal 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 operation, the handle (23) and the adjustment member being positioned on either side of the support (21) along the principal direction (Z); - - a connecting element configured to reversibly fix the sleeve (22) to the support (21) for the purpose of storing and / or transporting the device (2).

7. 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).

8. Device (2) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the support (21) comprises a body (211) comprising two opposing principal faces: a first principal face (211a) and a second principal face (211b), and in that the passage intended to receive the sleeve (22) extends between the two principal faces (211a, 211b) of the support (21).

9. Installation comprising a storage tank (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and an adjustment device (2) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the support (21) of the adjustment device (2) is configured to bear against the outer 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 level of the outer casing (12) of the tank (1) so as to cooperate with the boss (14) carried by the inner 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).

10. Method of assembling a storage tank (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the method using the adjustment device (2) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, 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 coaxiality adjustment step between the inner envelope (11) and the outer envelope (12) by means of relative movement between the sleeve (21) of the adjustment device (2) and the boss (15) carried by the inner envelope (11); - a step of closing a second end of the outer envelope (12) by mounting a second outer bottom (122a).

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