Removable Cryogenic Tank Closure With Vacuum-Insulated Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintenance of cryogenic tanks, particularly those used in aircraft, is cumbersome due to the need to remove and cut open the tank for access, which disrupts the vacuum insulation and requires extensive time and effort, complicating maintenance of both the tank and its equipment.
Innovation Solution
A removable closure system with an inner and outer closure wall forming a vacuum insulation volume, allowing equipment installation within the tank, reducing heat ingress and external leak risk, and enabling maintenance without disrupting the vacuum.
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 as the tank must be removed and cut open
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the tank closure into two separate closures (first closure and second closure) that can be independently removed. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access the tank interior through one closure without compromising the overall vacuum insulation structure, as the other closure remains in place to maintain the vacuum seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the maintenance access function from the main tank structure by providing dedicated removable closures. These closures can be taken out independently to allow maintenance activities inside the tank without removing or cutting the main tank body, thereby preserving the vacuum insulation integrity of the remaining structure.
2Ease of repair
If the tank is cut open for maintenance access, then maintenance activities can be performed inside the tank, but the vacuum insulation is disrupted requiring days or weeks to recreate
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the closure system into multiple independently removable closures, the invention enables maintenance access through one closure while the other closures remain intact to maintain the vacuum insulation. This eliminates the need to disrupt and recreate the vacuum insulation, saving days or weeks of time.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable closures are pre-designed with sealing mechanisms that maintain the vacuum insulation when in place. This preliminary preparation allows quick replacement during maintenance without requiring time-consuming vacuum recreation procedures.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If equipment is installed separately in a protective housing (coldbox), then heat ingress is limited, but the equipment maintenance becomes complicated requiring removal from the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the equipment housing with the tank closure structure. The first and second closures form an integrated protective housing that contains the equipment while being part of the tank closure system. This allows equipment maintenance to be performed by simply removing the closures from the tank, eliminating the need to separately remove equipment from a standalone protective housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The closures serve multiple functions: they provide structural closure for the tank, maintain vacuum insulation, protect equipment from heat ingress, and facilitate equipment maintenance. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate protective housings and simplifies the overall maintenance process.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a double wall vacuum insulated design is used for the tank, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the vacuum insulation structure with the closure system. The first and second closures are integrated into the double wall vacuum insulated design, sharing structural elements and sealing mechanisms. This merging reduces the overall complexity compared to having separate insulation and closure systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The closures serve multiple functions including structural closure, vacuum sealing, and equipment protection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining excellent thermal insulation performance.
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 solution reduces maintenance time and space requirements, minimizes heat ingress, and lowers the risk of leaks while maintaining vacuum integrity, facilitating easier access and replacement of tank equipment.
Implementation Method 1
the removable closure comprises an outer closure wall and an inner closure wall and a closure vacuum volume between the outer closure wall and the inner closure wall
Implementation Method 2
the closure vacuum insulation volume formed in the interior of the removable closure
Data Source
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AI summary
A removable closure for a cryogenic tank (10) is provided, wherein the cryogenic tank (10) comprises a tank interior (46) for storing a cryogenic medium, and an access opening (44) in a multiple tank wall (42) which includes a tank wall vacuum insulation space (54) between an inner tank wall skin (50) and an outer tank wall skin (52). The removable closure (48) comprises an outer closure wall (2) and an inner closure wall (3), and a closure vacuum insulation volume (7) between the outer closure wall (2) and the inner closure wall (3). The removable closure (48) is configured for the installation of equipment (74) that is required for operating the cryogenic tank (10) in the closure vacuum insulation volume (7) formed in the interior of the removable closure (48). A cryogenic tank (10) comprises the closure (10). An aircraft comprises the cryogenic tank (10) with the closure (48)