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US 7,757,882 B2Granted
Suspended liquid hydrogen storage tank
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsRainer Immel, Jader Matos Da Silva
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for suspending an inner tank within an outer tank to form a cryogenic storage tank. Opposing ends of the inner tank are suspended from the outer tank by suspension members. A preloading device facilitates the preloading of the suspension members to suspend the inner tank within the outer tank. The suspension members constrain the inner tank in a statically determinable manner so that a desired preloading and loading can be imparted upon the suspension members. The suspension members advantageously limit the parasitic heat leaks between the inner and outer tanks.
Claims27
A cryogenic storage tank comprising:
- a fluid-tight cylindrical outer tank having a pair of end caps and a cylindrical central segment therebetween;
- a fluid-tight cylindrical inner tank located in the outer tank, the inner tank operable to store a fluid therein, the inner tank having axially opposite ends;
- a plurality of cords extending from the axially opposite first and second ends of the inner tank to the central segment of the outer tank, the cords suspending the inner tank within the outer tank in a spaced relation therefrom;
- a tensioning device coupled to said first end of the inner tank, a first group of the plurality of cords being coupled to the tensioning device, a second group of the plurality of cords being attached to a fixed member of the second end of the inner tank, and the tensioning device operable to adjust a tension in the plurality of cords;
- and
- a vacuum between said inner and outer tanks.
3 more elements
A cryogenic storage tank comprising:
- a fluid-tight outer tank;
- a fluid-tight inner tank located in the outer tank, the inner tank operable to store a fluid therein;
- a plurality of fixed length cords suspending the inner tank within the outer tank in a spaced relation therefrom;
- a vacuum between said inner and outer tanks;
- and
- an adjustable tensioning device separate and distinct from the cords, the tensioning device including a base plate assembly rigidly affixed to the inner tank, the base plate assembly including a first member, a second member and a plurality of guides extending between the first and second members and maintaining the first and second members in a fixed spaced-apart relation, the tensioning device including a moveable plate moveably coupled to the base plate assembly, the moveable plate engaged with the plurality of guides with the plurality of guides guiding movement of the moveable plate relative to the base plate assembly, the tensioning device including an adjusting member that adjusts a position of the moveable plate relative to the base plate assembly,
- wherein a plurality of the cords extend from the tensioning device to the outer tank and the tensioning device is operable to apply a tension of a predetermined magnitude to at least one cord suspending the inner tank within the outer tank.
4 more elements
A cryogenic storage tank comprising:
- a fluid-tight outer tank;
- a fluid-tight inner tank suspended within the outer tank by a plurality of suspension members;
- and
- an adjustable preloading mechanism coupled to at least two of the suspension members, the preloading mechanism being separate and distinct from the suspension members, the preloading mechanism operable to simultaneously adjust a tension in all suspension members coupled thereto,
- wherein the preloading mechanism includes:
- a base assembly fixedly coupled to the inner tank such that the base assembly does not move relative to the inner tank, the base assembly including first and second plates and a plurality of guides maintaining the first and second plates in a fixed spaced-apart relation;
- a moveable retaining member engaged with at least two of the suspension members and being coupled to the base assembly between the first and second plates, the retaining member movable relative to the base assembly between the first and second plates along the guides, and movement of the retaining member relative to the base adjusting the tension in the suspension members engaged therewith;
- and
- an adjusting member operable to adjust a position of the retaining member relative to the base assembly, thereby adjusting the tension.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.