Deformable Zone in Aircraft Tank Wall for Thermal Stress Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydrogen tanks face challenges due to the significant temperature and pressure differences between the external and internal enclosures, leading to stresses and potential damage from dimensional variations and material expansion.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating deformable zones in the walls of the tank, specifically between the connection zones and the linking zones, allows for relative movement and compensates for dimensional variations between the external and internal enclosures, thereby reducing stress and risk of damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid connections are used to connect conduits to enclosure walls, then connection strength is improved, but stress concentration and damage risk increase due to dimensional variations from temperature and pressure differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidconnection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a deformable zone in the enclosure wall that allows dynamic adaptation to dimensional variations. This zone can deform elastically to accommodate thermal expansion and pressure-induced dimensional changes, preventing stress concentration at rigid connections while maintaining connection integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the mechanical parameter of the wall section from rigid to deformable by creating a localized zone with different structural properties. This deformable zone has modified stiffness characteristics that allow it to absorb dimensional variations, thereby protecting the rigid conduit connections from excessive stress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stress or pressure

If the internal enclosure contracts or expands due to temperature and pressure changes, then the tank can maintain pressure differential, but relative movement between enclosures causes stress on connecting systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure differentialVSAvoidstress on connecting systems

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable zone acts as an intermediary element between the internal and external enclosures. It mediates the relative movement caused by pressure differential by deforming itself, thereby reducing the transmission of forces to the connecting systems and maintaining pressure containment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If materials of conduits and connection systems have different thermal expansion coefficients, then material selection flexibility is improved, but dimensional mismatches and stresses increase under temperature differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial selection flexibilityVSAvoiddimensional compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent explicitly accounts for thermal expansion differences by introducing a deformable zone that can accommodate the dimensional mismatches arising from different thermal expansion coefficients of conduit and enclosure wall materials. This zone absorbs the differential expansion without compromising the sealed connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #37Thermal expansion

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 use of deformable zones effectively mitigates the stresses caused by temperature and pressure differences, reducing the risk of damage to the tank's connections and ensuring the integrity of the hydrogen storage system.

Implementation Method 1

at least one wall among the first and second walls comprises at least one deformable zone interposed between the connection zone and the linking zone, the deformable zone being configured to allow the linking zone to move relative to the connection zone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the difference in thermal expansion between the materials of the conduits 24, 24' and of the connection system 16

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP4462012B1Tank comprising inner and outer enclosures and at least one duct passing through at least one deformable closure plate

Publication Date: 2025.06.18 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)

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AI summary

The invention relates to a tank comprising an outer enclosure (32), an inner enclosure (34) positioned within the outer enclosure (32), and at least one conduit (48) passing through first and second walls (42.1, 42.2) connected respectively to the outer and inner enclosures (32, 34). According to the invention, at least one wall (56) among the first and second walls (42.1, 42.2) comprises at least one deformable zone (58) interposed between, on the one hand, a connecting zone (46) which connects the wall (56) and the outer or inner enclosure (32, 34) and, on the other hand, a linking zone (52.1, 52.2) which includes a connection (541, 54.2) linking the wall (56) and the conduit (48). This deformable zone compensates for dimensional variations between the first and second walls and limits stress on the connections, thereby reducing the risk of damage to said connections. The invention also relates to an aircraft incorporating such a tank.