Cryogenic Tank End-Wall Assembly to Limit Weld Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for cryogenic tanks face issues with deformation under high pressure, leading to increased mass, complex assembly, and difficulty in dismantling due to welds being subjected to bending and tensile stresses.

Innovation Solution

A tank design featuring a central dome-shaped part and a peripheral sleeve with a junction zone, where the edges of the end wall and ferrule are configured to immobilize the junction area in a radial direction, using protruding shapes and complementary housings to prevent deformation and reduce stress on the weld.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the weld length and peripheral sleeve thickness are increased to prevent deformation under high pressure, then the strength and reliability improve, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrity under pressureVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The end wall is segmented into a central part and a peripheral sleeve, with the junction zone positioned in a counterbore. This segmentation allows the junction zone to be immobilized radially without requiring excessive weld length or sleeve thickness, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The counterbore acts as an intermediary structure that receives and immobilizes the junction zone between the central part and peripheral sleeve. This intermediary structure prevents radial deformation without requiring increased weld dimensions or sleeve thickness, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If the weld length is increased to prevent bending and tensile stresses, then the strength improves, but the ease of manufacture and assembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweld strengthVSAvoidassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The ferrule is divided into a first section and a second section with different internal diameters, creating a counterbore structure. This segmentation allows the weld to be positioned optimally in the counterbore region, providing sufficient strength without requiring excessive weld length, thereby improving ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If additional reinforcement is added to prevent junction zone deformation, then the strength improves, but the weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejunction zone strengthVSAvoidtank weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The end wall structure is segmented into central and peripheral parts with the junction zone positioned in a counterbore. This segmentation provides structural strength through geometric configuration rather than additional material, avoiding weight increase while maintaining junction zone integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The counterbore provides localized reinforcement at the junction zone position without requiring global thickening of the peripheral sleeve or end wall. This local quality approach strengthens the critical junction area while minimizing overall weight increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Stability of the object's composition

If the weld is subjected to bending and tensile stresses, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the reliability under high pressure deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweld integrityVSAvoidpressure resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The counterbore serves as an intermediary structure that immobilizes the junction zone radially, preventing bending and tensile stresses on the weld during high pressure operation. This protects the weld integrity while maintaining pressure resistance reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The counterbore structure preliminarily prevents radial deformation of the junction zone before high pressure is applied, eliminating bending and tensile stresses on the weld. This preliminary anti-action ensures weld integrity is maintained under pressure without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP4477939B1Tank comprising a ferrule and at least one end wall assembled in such a way as to limit the deformations of said end wall

Publication Date: 2026.02.25 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)

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Figure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a tank comprising: - a shell (42) having an edge (C2) connecting first and second inner lateral surfaces (54.1, 56.1) of first and second sections (54, 56), - at least one end wall (44), positioned at the level of the first section (54) of the shell (42), which has a central part (48) in the shape of a dome, a peripheral sleeve (50) positioned around the central part (48) as well as a junction zone (52) connecting the central part (48) and the peripheral sleeve (50) and having an edge (C1), - a weld (58) connecting the first section (54) and the peripheral sleeve (50), - the edges (C1, C2) of the end wall (44) and of the shell (42) having shapes configured to immobilize the junction zone (52) with respect to the shell (42) in a radial direction.