Combination Tank for Cryogenic Fluids with Rectangular Outer Jacket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage solutions for cryogenic fluids like LNG and liquid hydrogen are inefficient in utilizing construction space and require separate containers for operating materials, leading to increased complexity and difficulty in storage due to low temperatures and high pressures.
Innovation Solution
A combination tank design featuring a double-walled inner container for cryogenic fluids surrounded by an outer container with a rectangular cross-section jacket, which provides additional protection and serves as a temperature buffer, allowing for integration into existing truck spaces and elimination of separate operating material containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate tanks are used for cryogenic fluids and operating materials, then each fluid can be stored independently, but construction space is not efficiently utilized and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cryogenic fluid tank and operating material tank into a single integrated combination tank. The inner container stores cryogenic fluid while the outer container stores operating materials, eliminating the need for separate tanks and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining independent storage capability through internal separation
2Reliability
If separate tanks are used for cryogenic fluids and operating materials, then each fluid can be stored independently, but construction space utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner container for cryogenic fluid is nested within the outer container for operating materials. This nested arrangement allows both storage functions to coexist in a single compact unit, maximizing space utilization within the vehicle while maintaining independent storage compartments for different fluids
3Temperature
If double-walled inner container is used for insulation, then temperature insulation is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The double-walled inner container is nested within the outer container, creating natural insulation layers. The evacuation space between walls provides thermal insulation without requiring additional complex insulation structures, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining effective temperature insulation for cryogenic fluids
4Strength
If outer container is added around inner container, then protection and structural stability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outer container serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the inner container, provides structural stability, and stores operating materials. This multi-functional design strengthens the overall structure without significantly increasing device complexity, as the protective shell is integrated with the storage function
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The combination tank optimizes space usage, provides secure storage for both cryogenic fluids and operating materials, and simplifies assembly, while maintaining the structural integrity and insulation necessary for cryogenic fluids, enhancing vehicle range and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the insulation gap that lies between the two walls is generally evacuated and/or lined with special insulation films/foils
Implementation Method 2
the at least one operating material situated in the outer container serves as an additional temperature buffer
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a combination tank having a double-walled inner container for temperature-insulated accommodation of a cryogenic fluid, which inner container has an approximately circular cylindrical cross-section and is closed off with end-side caps, wherein an outer container for accommodating at least one operating material is configured around the inner container, which outer container has a jacket having an approximately rectangular cross-section and end walls supported on the inner container, which end walls either sit in the gussets that remain between inner container and jacket, or are touched or penetrated by the caps of the inner container.