US 3,931,424 A · Prefabricated thermal insulation structure and method

Abstract

An insulation system for marine tanker or land based liquid natural gas containers is formed in prefabricated modules bolted to an inner wall of the container. Adjacent modules are connected to provide a continuous insulation, liquid barrier and tension membrane. The confined liquid is in contact with a layer of closed cell polyurethane foam that incorporates means for relieving thermal stresses. The liquid tight primary foam layer is backed by a liquid tight fiberglass tension membrane and an additional layer of polyurethane foam. The fiberglass membrane is connected to cruciform fittings in the tank corners for reaction of contraction induced tensile forces. Handling and installation of the system is simplified by prefabricating the several layers of insulation and fiberglass membrane with a plywood panel supporting the system and providing an interface with the inner hull of the ship or inner tank surface. Damage and leak detection sensors are incorporated in the module at the membrane.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A multilayer insulation system comprising

a first layer of cellular foam,
a liquid-impervious membrane attached to the inner surface of said first layer,
a second layer of cellular foam having one surface attached to the inner surface of said membrane, said second layer of foam comprising a plurality of foam blocks attached to said membrane in edge-to-edge abutment with one another, and means for forming an expansion joint between adjacent ones of said foam blocks of said second layer, said means for forming an expansion joint comprising
a pair of mating rabbets formed in adjacent edges of outer surfaces of adjacent blocks of said second layer,
a barrier strip mounted within said mating rabbets between the blocks of said second layer and said membrane, and means for sealing said barrier strip to the contacting surfaces of said membrane and blocks of said second layer, whereby the blocks of the second layer are free to spread apart for the major portion of their thickness but remain sealed to each other by the barrier strip at the outermost portion thereof in contact with the membrane.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Prefabricated thermal insulation structure and method

Life of this patent

Prefabricated thermal insulation structure and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11