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US 11,649,928 B2Granted
Liquid methane storage and fuel delivery system
AssigneeBennamann Services Ltd
InventorsChristopher Mark Mann, Kate Joanne Dibble, Thomas William Bradshaw, Andrew John Taylor Whitehouse, Duncan Stuart Glasby, Jack Brom Sebastian Irwin, Jamie Eric Freemann, George Edward Hyde-Linaker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for the storage and delivery of fuel, such as methane. In certain aspects, a system is provided with an inner vessel, and outer vessel, and a rope suspension system connecting the two vessels. In certain aspects, the disclosed storage tanks operate at low pressure with long hold times, and have a non-cylindrical shape.
Claims26
A method of assembling a methane storage tank, comprising
- placing an inner storage vessel within an outer vessel, wherein the inner storage vessel is adapted to store liquid methane;
- and
- attaching the inner storage vessel to the outer storage vessel using a support system, wherein the inner storage vessel comprises a first flat surface and a second flat surface, and wherein the first and second flat surfaces are arranged orthogonally to each other, wherein the support system comprises a rope suspension system and the attaching comprises tensioning the rope suspensions system using a first connection element on the first flat surface and a second connection element on the second flat surface.
A methane storage tank, comprising:
- an outer vessel;
- an inner storage vessel arranged within the outer vessel and adapted to store liquid methane;
- a rope support system connecting the inner storage vessel to the outer vessel, wherein both the outer vessel and inner storage vessel have a non-cylindrical shape, and wherein the inner storage vessel comprises a first flat surface and a second flat surface, and wherein the first and second flat surfaces are arranged orthogonally to each other;
- and
- a first connection element mounted on the first flat surface and a second connection element mounted on the second flat surface.
2 more elements
A storage tank, comprising:
- an outer vessel;
- an inner storage vessel arranged within the outer vessel;
- and
- a support system connecting the inner storage vessel to the outer vessel,
- wherein the support system comprises a tensioned rope suspension system connecting a first connection element mounted on the outer vessel with a second connection element mounted on the inner storage vessel,
- wherein the outer vessel comprises first and second distal ends along a longitudinal direction of the outer vessel, and wherein a rope of the tensioned rope suspension system extends from the first distal end to the second distal end along the longitudinal direction of the outer vessel.
3 more elements
A storage tank, comprising:
- an outer vessel;
- an inner storage vessel arranged within the outer vessel, wherein both the outer vessel and inner storage vessel have a non-cylindrical shape comprising a plurality of orthogonal flat surfaces;
- a support system connecting the inner storage vessel to the outer vessel;
- and
- a first plurality of connection elements on a first flat surface of the inner storage vessel and a second plurality of connection elements on a second flat surface of the inner storage vessel,
- wherein the first and second flat surfaces of the inner storage vessel are orthogonal,
- wherein the support system comprises a tensioned rope suspension system connecting at least one connection element mounted on the outer vessel with at least one of the connection elements of the inner storage vessel,
- wherein the tensioned rope suspension system is connected to the at least one connection element with a loop formed from a splice of the rope.
5 more elements
A storage tank, comprising:
- an outer vessel;
- an inner storage vessel arranged within the outer vessel;
- and
- a support system connecting the inner storage vessel to the outer vessel,
- wherein the support system comprises a tensioned rope suspension system connecting a first connection element mounted on the outer vessel with a second connection element mounted on the inner storage vessel, and connecting a third connection element mounted on the outer vessel with a fourth connection element mounted on the inner storage vessel,
- wherein the inner vessel comprises a first flat surface and a second flat surface,
- wherein the first and second flat surfaces are arranged orthogonally to each other,
- wherein the second connection element is arranged on the first flat surface and the fourth connection element is arranged on the second flat surface, and
- wherein at least one of the first connection element and the second connection element comprises at least one rounded peg, capstan, or Belleville washer, wherein the rope suspension system is threaded about the at least one rounded peg, capstan, or Belleville washer.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.