Cryogenic tank assembly

An aircraft comprising:

• an airframe;
• and
• a cryogenic tank assembly on-board the airframe, the cryogenic tank assembly comprising:
• a cryogenic tank having an internal volume, the cryogenic tank being configured to contain liquefied natural gas (LNG) within the internal volume, the cryogenic tank comprising an inlet fluidly connected to the internal volume;
• and
• a pressure regulation system, the pressure regulation system comprising a source of LNG and a conduit coupled in fluid communication between the source of LNG and the inlet of the cryogenic tank such that the conduit fluidly connects the source of LNG to the inlet, the conduit extending along a path between the source of LNG and the inlet that is exposed to an ambient environment of the cryogenic tank, wherein the pressure regulation system is configured to:
• receive a flow of LNG from the source of LNG into the conduit;
• transfer heat from the ambient environment to the LNG flow to change the LNG flow to natural gas;
• and
• inject the natural gas flow into the internal volume of the cryogenic tank through the inlet.

A method for regulating pressure within a cryogenic tank having an internal volume that contains liquefied natural gas (LNG), the method comprising:

• receiving a flow of LNG from the internal volume of the cryogenic tank into a recirculation conduit that is coupled in fluid communication with an outlet of the cryogenic tank;
• changing the LNG flow within the recirculation conduit to a flow of natural gas by transferring heat from an ambient environment of the cryogenic tank to the LNG flow within the recirculation conduit;
• and
• injecting the natural gas flow into the internal volume of the cryogenic tank through an inlet of the cryogenic tank to regulate the amount of pressure within the internal volume.