Removable Cryogenic Tank Closure for Vacuum-Insulated Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintenance of cryogenic tanks, particularly liquid hydrogen tanks in aircraft, is cumbersome due to the need for complete removal and cutting open the tank for access, which disrupts the vacuum insulation and requires extensive downtime and effort.
Innovation Solution
A removable closure system for cryogenic tanks that integrates the vacuum insulation volume and tank equipment, allowing access without disrupting the vacuum and enabling in-situ maintenance and replacement of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cryogenic tank is completely closed by welding for maintenance, then the vacuum insulation integrity is maintained, but the maintenance effort and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into separate components: a removable closure element that can be detached from the tank without compromising the vacuum insulation. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access the tank interior through the removable closure while the rest of the tank remains sealed and vacuum-insulated, resolving the contradiction between maintaining vacuum integrity and enabling easy maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure element is extracted as a separate, removable component from the main tank structure. This extracted closure can be removed and reattached without affecting the vacuum insulation of the main tank body, allowing maintenance activities to proceed while preserving the vacuum integrity of the overall system.
2Ease of repair
If the cryogenic tank is cut open for maintenance access, then the maintenance accessibility improves, but the vacuum insulation is disrupted requiring extensive recovery time
Solution Approach 1:
The tank system is segmented into a permanent vacuum-insulated tank body and a removable closure element. Maintenance personnel can remove the closure element to access the tank interior without cutting into the vacuum-insulated tank walls, thus maintaining vacuum integrity and eliminating the need for time-consuming vacuum recovery procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure element is extracted as a separate access component that can be removed without damaging the vacuum insulation. This allows maintenance personnel to access the tank interior through the removed closure while the vacuum insulation of the main tank remains intact, avoiding the time loss associated with vacuum recovery.
3Loss of energy
If the equipment capsule is vacuumized or filled with inert gas for heat ingress prevention, then the thermal insulation improves, but the equipment maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The equipment housing is segmented into a permanent vacuum-insulated outer shell and a removable inner equipment module. The removable module can be accessed and maintained without compromising the vacuum insulation of the outer shell, reducing maintenance complexity while preserving thermal insulation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The equipment module is extracted as a removable component from the vacuum-insulated housing. This allows maintenance personnel to service the equipment without breaching the vacuum insulation, thereby maintaining low heat ingress while simplifying maintenance procedures compared to maintaining sealed welded equipment.
4Productivity
If the removable closure integrates the vacuum insulation volume and tank equipment, then the maintenance time and effort are reduced, but the closure structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element integrates multiple functions: it serves as the access door, contains the equipment housing, and incorporates the vacuum insulation volume. This merging of functions into a single removable component allows maintenance personnel to access and service equipment while preserving vacuum insulation, improving maintenance efficiency despite the increased complexity of the integrated closure structure.
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
Reduces maintenance time and effort, minimizes heat ingress, and lowers the risk of hydrogen leaks while maintaining thermal insulation, thus enhancing operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a closure vacuum insulation volume (7) formed in the interior of the removable closure (48)
Data Source
AI summary
A removable closure for a cryogenic tank, wherein the cryogenic tank comprises a tank interior for storing a cryogenic medium, and an access opening in a multiple tank wall which includes a tank wall vacuum insulation space between inner and outer tank wall skins. The removable closure has an outer closure wall and an inner closure wall, and a closure vacuum insulation volume between the inner and outer closure walls. The removable closure is configured for the installation of equipment that is required for operating the cryogenic tank in the closure vacuum insulation volume formed in the interior of the removable closure. Also, a cryogenic tank and an aircraft.