Removable Plug Assembly for Cryogenic Tank Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vacuum jacketed tank systems face safety concerns due to the risk of explosive mixtures when air enters the tank and mixes with cryogenic fluids like liquid hydrogen or liquid natural gas in emergency conditions, such as breaches or ruptures, leading to potential explosions.

Innovation Solution

A tank system with a removable plug assembly that includes a retraction mechanism to pull plug elements away from openings in the pressure tank, allowing the cryogenic fluid to exit into a vacuum cavity and preventing air from entering and mixing with the fluid, thereby preventing explosive situations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the vacuum jacketed tank system maintains a sealed pressure tank, then the cryogenic fluid is contained safely, but in emergency conditions air can enter and mix with the fluid creating explosive hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidexplosive mixture formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent installs removable plug elements in advance within the pressure tank openings before emergency conditions occur. These pre-positioned plugs can be quickly deployed to seal openings when air ingress is detected, preventing the formation of explosive mixtures between air and cryogenic fluid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the harmful element (air) from the system by using removable plug elements that can be deployed to seal openings and prevent air from entering the vacuum cavity and mixing with the cryogenic fluid, thereby eliminating the explosive hazard.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If openings are provided in the pressure tank for emergency fluid discharge, then the cryogenic fluid can exit in emergencies, but air can enter through the same openings and create volatile mixtures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency fluid discharge capabilityVSAvoidvolatile mixture formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamically controllable openings with removable plug elements that can transition between open and closed states. During normal operation, openings remain closed to prevent air ingress. In emergencies, plugs are removed to allow fluid discharge, and then reinstalled to seal the openings and prevent volatile mixture formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the opening closure function into separate removable plug elements that can be independently deployed and removed. This segmentation allows the openings to serve dual purposes: enabling emergency fluid discharge when plugs are removed and preventing air ingress when plugs are in place.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If the tank system uses a fixed sealed design, then structural integrity is maintained, but emergency venting capability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidemergency venting capability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the fixed sealed design into a dynamic system with removable plug elements. The plugs can be removed to create venting pathways in emergency conditions while maintaining the structural integrity of the tank itself. The openings are designed to accommodate plug removal without compromising the overall structural strength of the pressure tank.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 effectively mitigates the risk of explosions by ensuring the cryogenic fluid can safely exit and mix with air outside the tank, preventing the formation of volatile mixtures that could ignite, enhancing safety and preventing accidental detonations.

Implementation Method 1

A tank system with a removable plug assembly that includes a retraction mechanism to pull plug elements away from openings in the pressure tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

The vacuum jacketed tank system includes an external or outer vacuum tank, under vacuum, that houses an internal or inner pressure tank, under pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 3

The internal pressure tank contains the cryogenic fluid, such as liquid hydrogen, liquid natural gas, or another cryogenic fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS12196372B2Tank system having removable plug assembly and method of using the same

Publication Date: 2025.01.14 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

There is provided a tank system having a removable plug assembly. The tank system has a vacuum tank with a vacuum tank main portion, a pressure tank mounted within the vacuum tank, and a vacuum cavity formed between the pressure tank and the vacuum tank. The pressure tank has the removable plug assembly with removable plug element(s), each configured to plug and to unplug opening(s) in the pressure tank, and a retraction mechanism within the pressure tank coupled to the removable plug element(s). When an emergency condition occurs, the retraction mechanism is activated to pull the removable plug element(s) away from the opening(s) and into the interior of the pressure tank, to allow a cryogenic fluid to exit from the pressure tank, through the opening(s), and into the vacuum cavity, and when the vacuum tank has a breach, to allow the cryogenic fluid to further exit out into air.