Cryogenic Tank Suspension Using Roller Elements

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cryogenic tank suspension systems face challenges when dealing with composite materials, as they require special integration and are difficult to implement, leading to increased parasitic heat load and vibration, and existing cooling methods in turbine engines are inefficient and environmentally harmful due to carbon dioxide emissions from conventional fuels.

Innovation Solution

A suspension system using a plurality of roller elements arranged between the cryogenic tank and the vacuum vessel, providing point-to-point contact and distributed along the central axis, which reduces boil-off and vibration, and allows for easy assembly and access, while using cryogenic fuels like liquid hydrogen to minimize environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional suspension systems are used with composite materials, then integration difficulty increases, but parasitic heat load and vibration increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration easeVSAvoidparasitic heat load

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension system is divided into multiple discrete roller elements rather than a continuous suspension structure. Each roller element is independently positioned along the central axis, creating segmented contact points that reduce thermal conduction paths while maintaining suspension functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Roller elements serve as intermediary components between the cryogenic tank and vacuum vessel. These rollers provide mechanical support while minimizing thermal contact, acting as mediators that reduce parasitic heat load compared to direct composite material integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional suspension systems are used with composite materials, then integration difficulty increases, but vibration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration easeVSAvoidvibration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The roller elements can rotate freely, providing dynamic adaptation to vibrations and movements. This rotational freedom allows the suspension system to absorb vibrational energy, reducing the transmission of vibrations compared to rigid composite material integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Temperature

If conventional cooling methods are used, then cooling is achieved, but efficiency decreases and carbon dioxide emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidcooling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The cryogenic fuel serves dual purposes: as both the fuel source and the cooling medium. The cold temperature of the cryogenic fuel naturally cools the tank without requiring separate cooling systems, eliminating energy losses associated with conventional active cooling methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Power

If conventional fuels are used, then power density is achieved, but environmental harm increases due to carbon dioxide emissions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower densityVSAvoidcarbon dioxide emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the temperature parameter of the fuel by using cryogenic temperatures. This parameter change transforms the fuel into a dual-purpose substance that provides both power density and natural cooling, while also eliminating carbon dioxide emissions associated with conventional fuels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 system achieves low parasitic heat load, reduced boil-off, and increased dynamic stiffness, enhancing the efficiency and environmental sustainability of cryogenic fuel systems for turbine engines by utilizing roller elements for suspension and cryogenic fuels.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of roller elements arranged within the vacuum space and contacting the inner surface of the vacuum vessel and the outer surface of the cryogenic tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a vacuum vessel surrounding the cryogenic tank and providing a vacuum space between an inner surface of the vacuum vessel and an outer surface of the cryogenic tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum insulation: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentUS20240052976A1Suspension system for a cryogenic tank

Publication Date: 2024.02.15 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

A cryogenic system includes a cryogenic tank containing a liquid cryogen and a vacuum vessel surrounding the cryogenic tank and providing a vacuum space between an inner surface of the vacuum vessel and an outer surface of the cryogenic tank. The cryogenic system further includes a suspension system arranged within the vacuum space so as to support the cryogenic tank within the vacuum vessel and to maintain the cryogenic tank within the vacuum vessel in a desired position. The suspension system includes a plurality of roller elements arranged within the vacuum space and contacting the inner surface of the vacuum vessel and the outer surface of the cryogenic tank.