Aircraft Cryogenic Tank Damping Link for Wear-Resistant Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid hydrogen storage tanks for aircraft face challenges such as mechanical stress due to temperature variations and friction wear in sliding mechanical links, which are difficult to assemble and prone to jamming.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic tank design featuring an inner tank within an outer envelope with a deformable damping element wedged between them, using fastening means to create a stable sliding link, reducing wear and facilitating assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sliding mechanical links are used between the inner tank and outer envelope, then the tank can accommodate temperature variations and inertial forces, but the structure is prone to friction wear, jamming, and complex assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
A damping element made of deformable material is introduced as an intermediary between the inner tank and outer envelope. This damping element absorbs relative movements and accommodates temperature variations and inertial forces without creating direct sliding contact between the tank components, thereby eliminating friction wear and jamming risks while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The damping element is made of deformable material whose physical state can change in response to temperature variations. This parameter change allows the damping element to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the inner tank while maintaining reliable connection to the outer envelope without sliding friction
2Adaptability or versatility
If sliding mechanical links are used between the inner tank and outer envelope, then the tank can accommodate temperature variations and inertial forces, but the assembly methods become complex with tight tolerances required
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element serves as a mediator that simplifies the connection between inner tank and outer envelope. It can be attached to the inner tank with flexible fastening means that tolerate misalignment, and it interfaces with the outer envelope through a damping element receptacle, eliminating the need for precise coaxial alignment required by direct sliding links
Solution Approach 2:
The damping element is made of flexible deformable material that can accommodate variations in positioning and alignment during assembly. This flexibility in the damping element's physical form allows for easier assembly with relaxed tolerances compared to rigid sliding mechanical links
3Adaptability or versatility
If the inner tank is allowed to move relative to the outer envelope, then temperature variations can be accommodated, but fatigue may weaken the structure over time
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element acts as an intermediary that absorbs and dampens repetitive movements caused by temperature variations. By placing the damping element between the inner tank and outer envelope, the structure is protected from fatigue while still accommodating thermal expansion and contraction
Solution Approach 2:
The damping element provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing and dissipating the energy of repetitive thermal movements before they can cause fatigue damage to the tank structure. This protective function is built into the design to prevent future fatigue failures
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 design enhances resistance to wear and simplifies assembly by providing a reliable sliding mechanical link that withstands temperature variations and inertial forces, minimizing friction-related deterioration.
Implementation Method 1
at least one damping element made of a deformable material (notably a flexible material) is inserted between one end of the inner tank and the outer envelope to wedge the inner tank against the outer envelope
Implementation Method 2
The damping element is made of a deformable material, in particular a flexible material
Implementation Method 3
the inner tank and the outer envelope having a shared longitudinal axis, such that a thermal insulation volume surrounds the inner tank
Data Source
AI summary
A storage tank for a cryogenic fluid including an inner tank that is configured to store the fluid and that is seated in an outer envelope, the inner tank and the outer envelope having a shared longitudinal axis, such that a thermal insulation volume surrounds the inner tank, and wherein the outer envelope surrounds the volume about the inner tank. The tank has at least one damping element made of a deformable material positioned between one end of the inner tank and the outer envelope to wedge the inner tank against the outer envelope. This enables a reliable sliding mechanical link to be formed between at least one end of the inner tank and the outer envelope of the tank, thereby increasing resistance to wear and facilitating assembly of the tank.