Cryogenic Tank End Wall Assembly for Weld Load Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for cryogenic tanks face issues with deformation under high pressure, leading to complex assembly, increased mass, and potential weld failure due to shear and tensile forces.

Innovation Solution

A tank design with a central dome-shaped end wall and peripheral sleeve, where the junction zone is immobilized radially by complementary edge faces and housings, eliminating the need for additional reinforcement or stiffening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the end wall and shell are connected by a weld under high pressure, then the tank can store cryogenic fluid, but the junction zone deforms radially and the weld is subjected to shear and tensile forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweld integrityVSAvoidresistance to shear and tensile forces

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of allowing the junction zone to deform radially outward under pressure and relying on the weld to resist these forces, the invention inverts the approach by using the pressure itself to create an interference fit that locks the junction zone in place. The radial deformation is harnessed to engage the peripheral sleeve with the shell, transforming the harmful deformation into a beneficial locking mechanism that eliminates shear and tensile forces on the weld.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If the weld length and peripheral sleeve thickness are increased to avoid deformation, then weld integrity is improved, but the mass of the tank increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweld integrityVSAvoidtank mass

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of how the junction zone is constrained - from relying on weld strength to relying on interference fit geometry. By modifying the geometric parameters of the peripheral sleeve and shell engagement surfaces, the system achieves weld integrity without increasing material thickness or weld length, thereby avoiding increased tank mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the weld length is increased to withstand shear and tensile forces, then weld integrity is improved, but the assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweld integrityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the approach by eliminating the need for long welds to withstand shear and tensile forces. Instead of using the weld to resist these forces, the design uses pressure-induced interference fit to eliminate the forces themselves, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining weld integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12560281B2Reservoir tank comprising a shell and at least one end wall that are joined together so as to limit the deformations of said end wall

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)

AI summary

A tank comprising a shell having an edge face connecting first and second inner lateral surfaces of first and second portions, at least one end wall, positioned at the first portion of the shell, which has a central part in the shape of a dome, a peripheral sleeve positioned around the central part and a junction zone connecting the central part and the peripheral sleeve and having an edge face, a weld connecting the first portion and the peripheral sleeve, the edge faces of the end wall and of the shell having shapes configured to immobilize the junction zone with respect to the shell in a radial direction. Also a cryogenic reservoir with such a tank.