Structural interface hardware for cryogenic tanks

A shear stud comprising:

• a seal region extending radially outward from a central axis to a periphery of the shear stud;
• a projection extending out from the seal region and along the central axis;
• a receptacle formed in a center of the projection to be open at an end of the projection distal from the seal region and to extend into the projection along the central axis, the receptacle shaped to receive a fastener;
• a closed face positioned on a side of the seal region opposite the projection, the closed face extending from the central axis to the periphery of the shear stud;
• and
• an alignment feature formed in the projection, at the end of the projection distal from the seal region, wherein the alignment feature defines a non-round portion of the projection.

A method of coupling a bracket to a first side of a structure, the method comprising:

• positioning a shear stud in a hole of the structure, extending from the first side of the structure to a second side of the structure, so that, a seal region of the shear stud is positioned on the second side of the structure and so that a projection of the shear stud extends through the hole of the structure to a location beyond the first side of the structure, wherein the seal region surrounds the projection;
• aligning a through hole of the bracket with the projection of the shear stud, engaging the through hole with the projection of the shear stud, and interfacing an interface surface of the bracket with the first side of the structure, wherein the through hole has a geometry corresponding to the projection of the shear stud;
• and
• passing a shaft of a fastener, comprising a head coupled to the shaft, through the through hole of the bracket so that the shaft engages the shear stud to secure the bracket relative to the shear stud on the first side of the structure and to form a seal between the seal region of the shear stud and the second side of the structure.