Double-Wall Tank Fluid Channelling Bellows for Cryogenic Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogen storage systems for aircraft face challenges in reducing weight while maintaining effective insulation and preventing permeation, particularly due to issues with geometry, temperature, and hydrogen embrittlement, especially when storing cryogenic fluids.
Innovation Solution
A double-wall tank design featuring an inner chamber surrounded by an outer chamber with a vacuum-insulated gap and a flexible fluid channelling system that includes bellows to absorb relative displacements between the inner and outer walls, along with composite materials like Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) for reduced weight and improved insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If double-wall tanks are made from metallic materials (aluminium or steel), then structural strength and reliability are improved, but weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining metallic pressure vessel/liner with composite reinforcement overwrap. The composite overwrap (using materials like carbon fiber reinforced polymer) provides structural reinforcement while significantly reducing weight compared to fully metallic construction, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The tank structure is segmented into distinct functional layers: inner pressure vessel/liner for containing hydrogen, composite reinforcement overwrap for structural strength, and outer jacket for protection and insulation. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function, achieving both strength and weight reduction.
2Temperature
If ultra-vacuum insulation is implemented, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible bellows structure as part of the insulation system. The bellows provides mechanical flexibility to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction while maintaining the vacuum seal, simplifying the overall insulation system compared to rigid ultra-vacuum systems while preserving thermal insulation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains vacuum conditions in the gap between inner and outer walls to eliminate conduction and convection heat transfer. By changing the pressure parameter (maintaining vacuum), the patent achieves high thermal insulation performance without requiring complex active cooling or heating systems.
3Reliability
If rigid piping systems are used to connect inner and outer walls, then fluid channelling reliability is improved, but ability to accommodate thermal expansion and structural displacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible bellows structure in the fluid channelling system. The bellows allows relative movement and displacement between the inner and outer walls while maintaining fluid-tight connections. This flexibility accommodates thermal expansion and structural displacement without compromising the reliability of the fluid channelling system.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid channelling system incorporates dynamic elements including the flexible bellows and movable joints that allow the system to adapt to changing conditions. The bellows can expand and contract, and the piping can move relative to each other within controlled ranges, maintaining both reliability and adaptability.
4Weight of moving object
If composite reinforcement overwrap is applied to metallic pressure vessel, then weight is significantly reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The composite reinforcement overwrap is applied as a preliminary step during the manufacturing process. The composite layers are wound or molded onto the metallic pressure vessel before final assembly, allowing the reinforcement to be integrated into the manufacturing workflow rather than added as a separate complex operation.
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 effectively reduces structural loads, enhances insulation, and improves the Gravimetric Index of hydrogen storage, addressing the challenges of weight reduction and thermal management in cryogenic applications.
Implementation Method 1
a bellows arranged for absorbing the relative axial, radial and angular displacements between the inner wall and the outer wall
Implementation Method 2
the intermediate gap between them being under vacuum conditions
Implementation Method 3
Most methods of effecting high-performance insulation rely on a ultra-vacuum to nearly eliminate the conduction and convection gas heat transfer
Implementation Method 4
a first flange: coupled, by means of a fluid-tight fit, to the first pipe; and coupled, by means of a fluid-tight fit, to the distal end of the bellows
Data Source
Figure 1(1)~1(3)
Figure 2(1)~2(3)
Figure 3(1)~3(2)
AI summary
The present invention provides a double-wall tank comprising a fluid channelling system (100) and a method for assembling a double-wall tank provided with a fluid channelling system.