Passive Cryogen Storage Tank Support Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cryogen storage techniques are inefficient and costly due to significant heat transfer issues, leading to cryogen loss, especially in space applications, where active cooling systems require massive infrastructure and result in mass and energy penalties, limiting mission capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A passive insulating tank support structure using a novel arrangement of interface rings and struts made from carbon fiber modified cyanate ester prepreg resin composite, combined with active cooling systems when necessary, to enhance conductive, convective, and radiative isolation, reducing thermal demands on active cooling systems and minimizing cryogen loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active cooling systems are used to store cryogens, then cryogen storage reliability is improved, but mass and energy requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple struts (first struts, second struts, third struts, fourth struts) that independently support different tanks and interface rings. This segmentation allows each strut to be optimized for minimal thermal conduction while maintaining structural integrity, reducing the overall mass requirement compared to a single massive active cooling system.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive insulating support structure acts as an intermediary between heat sources and cryogen tanks. The struts and interface rings create thermal barriers that mediate heat transfer, allowing the system to passively reduce thermal demands without requiring active cooling infrastructure.
2Reliability
If active cooling systems are used to store cryogens, then cryogen storage reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure provides self-service thermal isolation through its passive design. The struts and interface rings automatically create thermal barriers without requiring external energy input, allowing the system to maintain cryogen temperatures through passive insulation rather than active energy-consuming cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive insulating support structure acts as an intermediary that blocks heat transfer paths without requiring energy input. The multiple struts and spaced interface rings create thermal resistance, mediating between environmental heat sources and cryogen tanks to reduce energy consumption.
3Loss of energy
If conventional insulation materials are used, then thermal isolation is provided, but mass efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface rings and struts create thin-film-like thermal barriers through their geometric configuration and material selection. Rather than using massive conventional insulation materials, the design uses thin-walled structures spaced apart to create effective thermal isolation with minimal mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure uses composite materials that combine structural integrity with low thermal conductivity. This allows the struts and interface rings to provide both mechanical support and thermal isolation functions simultaneously, improving mass efficiency compared to using separate structural and insulation components.
4Loss of energy
If vacuum jackets are used to provide convective isolation, then thermal isolation is improved, but device complexity and mass increase
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts the essential function of convective isolation without requiring vacuum jackets. By spacing the interface rings and struts apart, the design allows ambient convection to occur in the gaps while preventing direct conductive paths, achieving thermal isolation without the complexity of vacuum sealing infrastructure.
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 passive insulating tank support structure significantly reduces heat transfer to cryogenic propellants, enabling long-term storage and reducing the mass and energy requirements of cryogen storage systems, thus enhancing mission capabilities and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The disclosed passive storage techniques alone, or in combination with active storage strategies, generally enhance long term storage of cryogens. The disclosed techniques generally provide improved conductive, convective, and radiative isolation.
Implementation Method 2
The disclosed techniques generally provide improved conductive, convective, and radiative isolation.
Implementation Method 3
The disclosed techniques generally provide improved conductive, convective, and radiative isolation.
Implementation Method 4
The disclosed techniques generally provide improved conductive, convective, and radiative isolation.
Data Source
AI summary
A passive insulating tank support structure includes a first interface ring mounted to a first tank, a first support ring surrounding and spaced apart from the first interface ring, a second interface ring mounted to a second tank, a plurality of first struts coupling the first and second interface rings, a plurality of second struts coupling the first support ring and second interface ring, a plurality of third struts coupling the first support ring and a first heat source, a third interface ring mounted to the second tank, and a plurality of fourth struts coupling the third interface ring and a second heat source.