Double-Wall FRP Hydrogen Tank Assembly for Cryogenic Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen storage systems for aircraft face challenges in achieving lightweight, high-energy density, and efficient thermal insulation, particularly in cryogenic conditions, due to issues like weight, permeation, and thermal conductivity.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of partially cured Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) structures, which are coupled and wrapped with additional FRP layers to form a vessel, allowing for integrated systems and discontinuities for external elements, and a double-wall tank design with an insulating gap for improved thermal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metallic pressure vessels are used for cryogenic hydrogen storage, then reliability and conventional availability are improved, but weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by manufacturing the pressure vessel using Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) structures instead of traditional metallic materials. The method involves providing at least two at least partially cured FRP structures, coupling them together, winding additional FRP material onto the assembled structures, and curing the assembly. This composite construction achieves the necessary reliability for cryogenic hydrogen storage while significantly reducing the weight compared to metallic pressure vessels.
2Temperature
If double-wall tank structures with thermal insulation are implemented, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the pressure vessel into at least two separate FRP structures that are coupled together. This segmentation naturally creates a double-wall configuration with an intermediate space that provides thermal insulation. The method involves providing multiple at least partially cured FRP structures, assembling them with complementary coupling interfaces, and then winding additional FRP material onto the assembled structure before final curing. This segmented approach achieves thermal insulation performance while managing device complexity through a systematic manufacturing process.
3Quantity of substance
If liquid hydrogen is stored in cryogenic conditions, then energy density is improved, but hydrogen embrittlement risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials to prevent hydrogen embrittlement by using FRP structures instead of metallic materials that are susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement. The method involves manufacturing the pressure vessel through a multi-step process: providing at least two at least partially cured FRP structures, coupling them together, winding additional FRP material onto the assembled structures, and curing the complete assembly. This composite construction eliminates the hydrogen embrittlement risk while maintaining the high energy density benefits of liquid hydrogen storage in cryogenic conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing a vessel configured for housing a fluid within, the method including: providing at least two at least partially cured fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) structures with complementary shapes configured for matching with each other such that an interior volume is defined when the at least partially cured FRP structures are coupled to each other; coupling the at least partially cured FRP structures to each other such that the interior volume is defined; winding at least one layer of FRP material onto at least a portion of the at least partially cured FRP structures once coupled to each other; and applying a curing cycle to cure the resulting assembly.