Self-supporting Insulating Box for Cryogenic Tank Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sealed and thermally insulated tanks for cryogenic fluids face challenges in withstanding compressive and thermal stresses, leading to potential leakage and damage due to small section bearing elements that are prone to punching and overturning.
Innovation Solution
A self-supporting insulating box design with a bottom and cover panel, featuring load-distributing bases with anti-tilt ribs and a heat-insulating lining, which distributes forces evenly and prevents punching and overturning, using thermoplastic materials and reinforcement for enhanced structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If bearing elements of small section are used to limit thermal conduction, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but the elements are likely to damage the cover and bottom panels by punching
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing element is segmented into multiple vertical pillars arranged in a row, with each pillar having a small cross-sectional area to minimize thermal conduction. The pillars are distributed across the base to collectively support the load while maintaining low thermal conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
A load-distributing base plate is introduced as an intermediary element between the bearing elements and the panels. This base plate has a large surface area that distributes the compressive forces over a wider area, preventing punching damage to the panels while allowing the pillars to maintain small cross-sections for thermal insulation.
2Loss of energy
If bearing elements with small section are used, then thermal conduction is reduced, but the elements are prone to overturning under lateral forces
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing element is divided into multiple vertical pillars arranged in a row, with each pillar having a small cross-sectional area to minimize thermal conduction. The pillars are distributed across the base to collectively support the load while maintaining low thermal conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a single monolithic bearing element to multiple discrete pillars arranged in a row. This dimensional change allows the system to resist overturning moments through the distributed arrangement of pillars, creating a stable structure that resists lateral forces while maintaining small individual cross-sections for thermal insulation.
3Strength
If supporting elements are used to take up compressive forces, then structural support is provided, but the elements are likely to spill under tangential forces
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting element is segmented into multiple vertical pillars arranged in a row, with each pillar having a small cross-sectional area to minimize thermal conduction. The pillars are distributed across the base to collectively support the load while maintaining low thermal conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a single monolithic bearing element to multiple discrete pillars arranged in a row. This dimensional change allows the system to resist overturning moments through the distributed arrangement of pillars, creating a stable structure that resists lateral forces while maintaining small individual cross-sections for thermal insulation.
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 solution provides improved thermal insulation and resistance to lateral and bending stresses, preventing leakage and damage while maintaining structural integrity under dynamic and thermal loads.
Implementation Method 1
a heat-insulating lining placed between the supporting elements
Implementation Method 2
a load-distributing sole provided with a planar bearing surface resting against the bottom panel or the cover panel
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a self-supporting insulating box structure (3, 7) intended for the thermal insulation of a fluid storage tank, comprising: - a bottom panel (10) and a top panel (11) which are spaced apart in a thickness direction of the box structure; - bearers (13) interposed between said bottom panel (10) and top panel (11) and each comprising a bottom foot (15), a top foot (16) and a pillar (14) and extending in the thickness direction of the box structure between the bottom foot (15) and the top foot (16); and - an insulating packing (17) arranged between the bearers (13); in which box structure the feet (15, 16) each comprise: - a load-spreading sole (17); and - anti-topple ribs (20) uniformly distributed at the periphery of the foot (15, 16) and arranged so as to absorb load applied to the bearer (13) transversely to the thickness direction of the box structure and transmitted to the load-spreading sole (17).