Magnetic Tank Support Assembly for Cryogenic Heat Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic fluids, such as liquid hydrogen, are difficult to store for long durations in vehicles due to boil-off caused by heat transfer, which limits the duration and distance of space missions as existing systems cannot effectively manage conductive heat sources like solar radiation and onboard electronics.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic support system using tank magnets and structure magnets, including spring magnets and diamagnets, that passively provides repulsive forces to suspend the storage tank assembly without mechanical engagement, reducing thermal conduction paths and maintaining the tank in a stable equilibrium, thereby reducing boil-off and extending the storage life of cryogenic fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If mechanical struts are used to support the storage tank, then structural support is provided, but thermal conduction paths are created that increase heat transfer to the cryogenic fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical support struts with a magnetic support system using diamagnetic materials. The storage tank is suspended magnetically between opposing magnets mounted on the vehicle structure, eliminating direct mechanical contact and the associated thermal conduction paths while maintaining structural support and positioning.
2Device complexity
If the storage tank is thermally connected to the vehicle structure, then structural support is simplified, but heat transfer increases causing boil-off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses magnetic fields to replace thermal conduction paths. Diamagnetic materials in the storage tank interact with magnetic fields from opposing magnets on the vehicle structure, providing both support and thermal isolation. This prevents heat transfer through the support structure while maintaining tank positioning.
3Loss of energy
If magnetic support system is implemented, then thermal conduction is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic support system uses passive diamagnetic materials in the storage tank that automatically interact with magnetic fields from the vehicle structure. The system self-regulates thermal isolation and positioning without requiring active control mechanisms, power consumption, or complex adjustment systems.
4Ease of operation
If mechanical engagement between tank and structure is used, then positioning is simplified, but thermal conduction paths are created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical engagement (bolts, struts, contact points) with magnetic field interactions. Diamagnetic materials in the tank are positioned between opposing magnets on the vehicle structure, creating stable equilibrium positions through magnetic forces without physical contact, thereby eliminating thermal conduction paths while maintaining precise positioning.
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 magnetic support system effectively reduces heat transfer to the storage tank, allowing for longer storage life and increased mission duration and distance by eliminating the need for active cooling and minimizing mechanical struts, thus conserving cryogenic fluids.
Implementation Method 1
The tank magnets interact with the structure magnets to passively provide repulsive magnetic forces that constrain movement of the storage tank assembly relative to the vehicle structure without the tank magnets mechanically engaging the structure magnets
Implementation Method 2
The tank magnets and the structure magnets include spring magnets in matched pairs that repel when spaced apart less than an equilibrium distance and attract when spaced apart farther than the equilibrium distance
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A tank support assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle structure and a storage tank assembly. The storage tank assembly is held in place relative to the vehicle structure via a magnetic support system. The magnetic support system includes tank magnets affixed to the storage tank assembly and structure magnets affixed to the vehicle structure. The tank magnets interact with the structure magnets to passively provide repulsive magnetic forces that constrain movement of the storage tank assembly relative to the vehicle structure without the tank magnets mechanically engaging the structure magnets.