Liquid Hydrogen Storage Tank Pin-Connected Laminate Shells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid hydrogen storage tanks face challenges with poor gravimetric and thermal efficiencies, bulky volume, and complex manufacturing processes, particularly due to flanged connections and multiple shells, which compromise insulation and increase weight.
Innovation Solution
A storage tank design featuring concentric shells made of laminate materials, mechanically connected by pins that pass through multiple layers, allowing for thinner, lighter construction and reduced thermal losses, with optional additional shells for enhanced functionality, and using a simplified manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If flanged connections and supporting posts are used to connect inner and outer shells, then mechanical strength and load path are improved, but thermal insulation efficiency deteriorates and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pins as intermediary elements to connect the inner and outer shells. These pins serve as mediators that transmit mechanical loads while minimizing thermal conduction paths. The pins are strategically positioned and designed to provide structural support without creating significant thermal bridges between the cold inner shell and warm outer shell, thus resolving the contradiction between mechanical strength and thermal insulation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into multiple discrete pins distributed across the shell interface, rather than using continuous flanged connections. This segmentation reduces the total thermal conduction path area while maintaining mechanical load distribution. The pinned connection allows thermal isolation between shells while still providing the necessary structural support and load path
2Strength
If flanged connections and supporting posts are used to connect inner and outer shells, then mechanical strength and load path are improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pins act as lightweight intermediary connectors that provide mechanical coupling between shells without the excessive weight of flanged connections and supporting posts. The pinned connection system achieves the necessary structural strength with minimal material, reducing overall tank weight while maintaining load path integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin-walled shell structures connected by pins, utilizing the flexibility and strength-to-weight ratio advantages of thin-film construction. This approach eliminates the need for heavy flanged connections, achieving mechanical strength through optimized shell geometry and distributed pinned support rather than bulky connection hardware
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple shells are used to enhance functionality, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tank system is segmented into multiple functional shells (inner shell for hydrogen containment, outer shell for structural support and mounting), with each shell optimized for its specific function. The shells are connected through simple pinned joints that maintain functional independence while enabling integrated performance, thus improving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional manufacturing processes with multiple parts are used, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision and ease of manufacture deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple shell components into an integrated structure connected by pins, reducing the number of separate manufacturing steps and tooling requirements. The pinned connection system allows shells to be manufactured independently and then assembled, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining design flexibility and adaptability for different configurations
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 achieves improved gravimetric and thermal efficiencies, reduced weight, and simplified manufacturing, while maintaining tank integrity and insulation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second shells are mechanically connected by a first plurality of pins each of which passes through at least some layers of the second shell and at least some layers of the first shell
Implementation Method 2
Each of the first and second shells may be constructed of a laminate comprising carbon-fibre reinforced polymer composite material
Data Source
Figure 1~4
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AI summary
A storage tank for liquid hydrogen comprises first and second shells 102, 106 each constructed of laminate material, the second shell being disposed outwardly of the first shell with respect to the centre of the storage tank. The first and second shells are mechanically connected by a first plurality of pins 103 each of which passes through at least some layers of the second shell and at least some layers of the first shell. The storage tank may be constructed using a simpler manufacturing process involving less tooling and fewer process steps than is the case for known tanks for storing liquid hydrogen. The storage tank has also has a lower mass and reduced thermal losses compared to tanks of the prior art. The plurality of pins allows for the shells to be thinner, and hence lighter, than similar shells in tanks of the prior art.