Aircraft Suspended Hydrogen Tank with Composite Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydrogen storage tanks in aircraft are heavy due to thick metal walls required for pressure resistance, and composite tanks with membrane-like walls are prone to deformation under external loads, compromising thermal efficiency and weight savings.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic hydrogen tank with a fiber-reinforced composite material tank wall and a suspension arrangement using tensile-loaded dry fiber suspension elements that extend tangentially to the tank surface, providing load distribution and thermal insulation while minimizing weight and thermal conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If thick metal walls are used for pressure resistance, then tank strength is improved, but tank weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials consisting of fiber reinforcement (carbon fibers, glass fibers, aramid fibers) embedded in a polymer matrix to create a tank wall that is both lightweight and strong. This composite structure provides the necessary pressure resistance while significantly reducing weight compared to solid metal construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by varying the fiber orientation and density in different regions of the tank wall. High fiber density and specific fiber orientations are applied in areas subjected to higher stress, while lower density areas reduce weight where full strength is not required, optimizing the strength-weight ratio.
2Weight of moving object
If composite tank walls are used to reduce weight, then tank weight is reduced, but tank deformation under external loads increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses deformation by applying local quality through varied fiber orientations and densities in specific regions. This localized reinforcement strategy prevents deformation at critical stress points while maintaining overall lightweight construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the spherical or curved geometry of the tank design to distribute external loads more effectively. The curved composite structure better resists deformation under external pressures compared to flat structures, while maintaining the lightweight advantage of composite materials.
3Reliability
If conventional suspension arrangements are used, then tank support is provided, but thermal bridges increase and weight savings are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible fiber-based suspension elements that act as thermal insulation barriers. These thin film-like suspension components provide necessary mechanical support while minimizing thermal conduction between the tank and surrounding structures, effectively reducing thermal bridges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces suspension elements made from insulating materials as intermediaries between the tank and the aircraft structure. These intermediary components decouple the thermal path while maintaining mechanical support, reducing thermal bridges without compromising structural reliability.
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 enables lightweight hydrogen storage with improved load distribution and thermal management, maintaining tank integrity and performance during flight conditions while reducing weight and thermal bridges.
Implementation Method 1
the hydrogen tank comprises a tank wall made from fiber reinforced composite material
Implementation Method 2
the suspension arrangement comprises a plurality of first tensile loaded dry fiber suspension elements
Implementation Method 3
the hydrogen tank has an inner tank wall made from fiber reinforced composite material and a thermal insulation surrounding the inner tank wall
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft, including a hydrogen consumer and a hydrogen supply device for supplying the hydrogen consumer with hydrogen, the hydrogen supply device having a cryogenic hydrogen tank for storing liquid hydrogen. In order to lower the weight while improving performance of the hydrogen tank during different flight conditions, embodiments of the aircraft further include a suspension arrangement with suspension elements for suspending the hydrogen tank on a structure of the aircraft, wherein the hydrogen tank includes a tank wall made from fiber reinforced composite material, and wherein the suspension arrangement includes a plurality of first tensile loaded dry fiber suspension elements fixed to load introduction areas on the hydrogen tank such that the suspension elements extend essentially tangential to a surface of the hydrogen tank at the associated load introduction area.