Cryogenic Tank Access Opening Vacuum Insulated Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid hydrogen tanks for aircraft are difficult to access for maintenance and repair without damaging the tank structure, requiring complete removal from the aircraft for servicing.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic tank design featuring a multiple tank wall with a vacuum-insulated access opening and closure system, allowing for maintenance without breaking the tank vacuum, using a double-walled panel and closure ring configuration that shares a common vacuum volume to minimize heat ingress and maintain insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If an access opening is provided in the cryogenic tank for maintenance and repair, then ease of repair is improved, but the vacuum insulation is compromised and heat ingress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access closure is divided into multiple wall panels (first panel, second panel, third panel) that can be separately assembled and disassembled. This segmentation allows the access opening to be closed with vacuum insulation when not in use, while still permitting maintenance access when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure structure uses nested multiple wall panels where inner panels are positioned within outer panels, creating vacuum insulation spaces between them. This nested configuration maintains thermal insulation while providing access capability.
2Loss of energy
If a closure system is added to seal the access opening while maintaining vacuum, then thermal insulation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is segmented into multiple functional panels (first panel with opening, second panel as closure, third panel as reinforcement) that can be independently manufactured and assembled, making the complex structure more manageable and maintainable.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple wall closure structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical closure for the access opening, maintains vacuum insulation to prevent heat ingress, and structural reinforcement for the tank wall.
3Ease of operation
If the access opening is made large enough for maintenance access, then ease of operation is improved, but structural strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system uses multiple separate panels instead of a single large opening, distributing the structural load and maintaining tank wall strength while providing adequate access through the coordinated assembly of panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure structure employs composite construction with multiple wall panels and vacuum insulation layers, creating a strong yet accessible closure that maintains structural integrity while allowing maintenance access.
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
Enables access to the interior of the tank for maintenance and repair without compromising the tank's vacuum, reducing the need for complete removal and improving operational safety and efficiency in hydrogen-powered aircraft.
Implementation Method 1
a tank wall vacuum insulation space between the inner tank wall skin and the outer tank wall skin
Implementation Method 2
a multiple wall panel that includes an outer panel wall, an inner panel wall and a panel vacuum insulation space between the outer panel wall and the inner panel wall
Implementation Method 3
a multiple wall closure ring with an outer closure ring wall, an inner closure ring wall and a closure ring vacuum insulation space between the outer and inner closure ring walls
Data Source
AI summary
A cryogenic tank for an aircraft providing a tank access for maintenance and repairing services of equipment inside the tank onboard of the aircraft. An access opening is closed by a removable closure including a multiple wall panel which is vacuum insulated and which is configured and fitted to the multiple tank wall in a manner that the heat ingress into the cryogenic tank is minimized and that no vacuum is impacted by opening and closing the removable closure.