Including Thermal Insulation Patents (Class 220/560.12)
  • Patent number: 11959593
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detection of a leak from a tank for liquid gas, said tank comprising a membrane surrounding the liquid gas, the membrane being surrounded by an insulation space which separates the membrane from a wall, the insulation space being filled an inert gas which is injected and extracted by at least one duct. The detection method comprises the following steps: determining 921 a first variation of mass of inert gas ?M1 between two moments by measuring the gas added and removed by the duct; calculating 922 a second variation of mass of inert gas ?M2 corresponding to a difference between two masses of inert gas measured in the insulation space; and comparing 931 the first variation with the second variation, and triggering an alarm if a difference E1 between the first variation and the second variation of mass of inert gas is greater than a first threshold S1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Gaztransport Et Technigaz
    Inventors: Bertrand Bugnicourt, Laurent Spittael, Nicolas Dupont, Jean-Yves Le Stang
  • Patent number: 11906110
    Abstract: An insulation arrangement configured to cover a vessel containing a liquified gas is provided. Embodiments include an insulation arrangement including an aerogel composition and a vapor barrier, where the insulation arrangement reduces heat transfer between the ambient environment and the liquified gas. Other embodiments include an insulated clamping device configured to connect a vessel to a framework and a connection system including the insulated clamping device, where the vessel includes the aforementioned insulation arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Aspen Aerogels, Inc.
    Inventors: Milan Zrim, Mihael Gruden
  • Patent number: 11632949
    Abstract: A system to store specimen containers in a temperature controlled environment includes at least a first temperature sensor positioned to sense a temperature in a first region of the temperature controlled environment in an interior of the cryogenic storage tank and at least a first level sensor positioned to sense a level of a cryogenic medium within the temperature controlled environment in the interior of the cryogenic storage tank. A method of storing specimen containers in a temperature controlled environment includes monitoring one or more parameters within the temperature controlled environment to prevent exposure of biological samples within the specimen containers to parameters that put the viability of the biological samples at risk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: TMRW Life Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Amit Gupta, Robert DeSanno, Alan Leroy Murray
  • Patent number: 11548717
    Abstract: Provided are multiply-insulated articles, comprising at least first and second containers disposed together such that the interior volume of the first container is sealed against the environment exterior to the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Concept Group LLC
    Inventor: Aarne H Reid
  • Patent number: 11137115
    Abstract: A storage vessel for an extremely low temperature material for reducing a vaporization rate by forming a plating layer at an outer surface of a discharge pipe thereof is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventors: Gwanghoon Rhee, Gunwoo Kim, Seongsik Moon, Seongjae You, Seoyoung Kim, Sangtae Han, Jinhyuk Jang
  • Patent number: 10442616
    Abstract: A low-temperature container, low-temperature tank and low-temperature tank truck are provided. The low-temperature container includes a housing and an inner container disposed inside the housing through a support assembly. The support assembly includes two transverse support structures correspondingly disposed between the housing body and inner container body, and two longitudinal support structures respectively disposed between the outer sealing head and the inner sealing head located at ends. An central lines of the two longitudinal support structures and an central axis of the inner container are collinear, or the central lines of the two longitudinal support structures are parallel to the central axis of the inner container, and the longitudinal support structures may extend and retract in the longitudinal direction of the low-temperature container. The low-temperature container of the present disclosure has balanced support points and good heat insulation effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignees: Nantong CIMC Tank Equipment Co., Ltd., China International Marine Containers (Group) Ltd., CIMC Enric Investment Holdings (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaoxiang Zhou, Huanghe Quan, Qingguo Meng, Yongxin Luo, Chunrong Yao
  • Patent number: 10267194
    Abstract: A device for supplying a liquid additive includes at least one tank and an extraction unit for delivering the liquid additive out of the tank to an additive consumer. The tank has a tank wall and the extraction unit is mounted on a mounting section of the tank wall. The tank wall is made of an injection molding compound and integrated stiffening structures are provided in the injection molding compound in the region of the mounting section. A method for producing the device and a motor vehicle having the device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Hodgson, Sven Schepers
  • Patent number: 10188883
    Abstract: Process to stop and/or prevent the spreading of peat fires consisting of: digging a trench in the periphery of the area of outbreak of fire or potential fire, filling the trench at least partially with a superabsorbent (co)polymer (SAP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: S.P.C.M. SA
    Inventor: René Pich
  • Patent number: 10005244
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a pressure vessel with heating device includes the following steps. A bag-shaped fiber layer with a first bag opening and a bag-shaped insulation layer with a second bag opening are provided. The bag-shaped insulation layer is placed in the bag-shaped fiber layer. The bag-shaped fiber layer is placed in an external mold. A pressurizing process is performed in the cavity of the bag-shaped insulation layer and air is extracted from the bag-shaped fiber layer. A resin solution is injected into the bag-shaped fiber layer to form a bag-shaped resin fiber layer soaked with the resin solution. A curing process is performed on the bag-shaped resin fiber layer to cure the bag-shaped resin fiber layer and to attach it to the bag-shaped insulation layer. A heating device is installed in the bag-shaped layers via a fastening component. The cured first and second bag openings are sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventor: Hsiu-Lin Peng
  • Patent number: 9976701
    Abstract: A tank or tank system for storing a cryogenic liquid exhibiting at least one collecting container with an upper region and a lower region, so as to hold the cryogenic liquid, at least one arrangement for feeding and discharging liquids and at least one arrangement for feeding and discharging gases, wherein the tank further exhibits at least one frame structure comprising a thermal insulation material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Airbus DS GmbH
    Inventors: Kei-Philipp Behruzi, Francesco De Rose
  • Patent number: 9939111
    Abstract: An LN storage tank is disclosed. The LNG storage tank includes: a lower insulation board for insulating LNG from the outside; a heating member placed on the lower insulation board; a main secondary barrier attached on the heating member; an upper insulation board attached on part of the main secondary barrier; and an auxiliary secondary barrier attached on the other part of the main secondary barrier, wherein a first adhesive layer may be interposed between the main secondary barrier and the auxiliary secondary barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG HEAVY IND. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sungjong Han, Minhong Kim, Jongho Kim
  • Patent number: 9782557
    Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of an oxygen concentrator system. In some embodiments, oxygen concentrator system includes one or more components that improve energy usage during operation of the oxygen concentrator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Inova Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Wilkinson, Dragan Nebrigic
  • Patent number: 9758235
    Abstract: A thermal insulation system for an aircraft that includes leading surfaces is provided. The thermal insulation system includes a carrier and a container. The carrier has an interior surface that includes a first plurality of magnets that generate a first magnetic field, and an exterior surface that is thermally coupled to the leading surfaces of the aircraft. The container is surrounded by the interior surface of the carrier, has an exterior surface including a second plurality of magnets that generate a second magnetic field oriented opposite the first magnetic field, and has an interior that includes electronics. The first magnetic field and the second magnetic field generate a gap between the carrier and the container to reduce a heat transfer from the leading surfaces to the electronics during operation of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark Joseph Clemen, Jr., Jerry Lee Wert
  • Patent number: 9469563
    Abstract: A thermal insulation product based on mineral wool, characterized in that the fibers have a micronaire of less than 10 l/min, preferably less than 7 l/min and especially between 3 and 6 l/min, the product including infrared absorbent and/or reflective elements, and in that the product has a thermal conductivity of less than 30 mW/m.K.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN ISOVER
    Inventors: Arnaud Letourmy, Jerome Douce, Valerie Goletto, Jerome Gilles
  • Patent number: 9463918
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides vacuum insulated articles having two—or more—insulated volumes at reduced pressure. An article may include a first vent communicating with a first insulating space, a second vent communicating with a second insulating space, a first circular insulation seal sealing the first insulating space at the first vent; and a second circular insulation seal sealing the second insulating space at the second vent. Also provided are methods of fabricating vacuum insulated articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventor: Aarne H Reid
  • Patent number: 9016222
    Abstract: A cargo tank for a liquefied gas carrier ship includes: a main wall surrounding a receiving space in which the liquefied gas is received; a panel assembly surrounding the main wall; and an outer wall surrounding the panel assembly. The panel assembly includes: a plurality of first thermal insulating panels; a plurality of first auxiliary walls; a plurality of second thermal insulating panels fixed on second surfaces of the first auxiliary walls; a bridge pad disposed between the second thermal insulating panels; and a second auxiliary wall located between the bridge pad and the first auxiliary walls. The first thermal insulating panel and the first auxiliary wall are adhered to each other, and a first stress dispersion region prevents the first auxiliary wall or the second auxiliary wall from being damaged due to thermal expansions or contractions of the first thermal insulating panels and the bridge pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji Han Kim, Sang Eon Chun, Jeong Oh Hwang
  • Patent number: 8985042
    Abstract: A method of creating a watertightness barrier for a wall of a watertightened thermally insulating tank, involves steps of: arranging a repeating structure including alternately a strip of sheet metal and an elongate welding flange connected to the support surface, so that the turned-up lateral edges of the strip of sheet metal are positioned against the adjacent welding flanges, welding the turned-up lateral edge to the welding flange using a straight welded seam along a first longitudinal portion, continuing the straight welded seam with an end portion which is deviated in the direction of an upper edge corner, and producing a watertight edge corner welded seam along a second longitudinal portion of the strip of sheet metal such that the edge corner welded seam watertightly meets the end portion of the welded seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Gaztransport et Technigaz
    Inventors: Gery Canler, Amaury Mange
  • Publication number: 20150053692
    Abstract: A free-standing liner unit (1) is formed by integrating a planar outer tank liner plate (2), a planar secondary barrier plate (3), and a cold insulator layer (4) that is interposed between the outer tank liner plate (2) and the secondary barrier plate (3) into a single unit. According to this free-standing liner unit (1), when building a tank, it is possible to shorten the construction period by performing the formation of the outer tank shell plates and the formation of the tank internal structure concurrently with each other, and to achieve an improvement in the handleability of the free-standing liner unit (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventor: Norio Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 8960482
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage tank for a hydrogen fueled aircraft. The tank has a wall made of layers of aerogel sections around a hard shell layer, sealed within a flexible outer layer, and having the air removed to form a vacuum. The periphery of each layer section abuts other sections of that layer, but only overlies the periphery of the sections of other layers at individual points. The wall is characterized by a thermal conductivity that is lower near its gravitational top than its gravitational bottom. The tank has two exit passageways, one being direct, and the other passing through a vapor shield that extends through the wall between two layers of aerogel. A control system controls the relative flow through the two passages to regulate the boil-off rate of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: AeroVironment Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Nelson Brooks, Bart Dean Hibbs, David Robert Thompson
  • Publication number: 20150048094
    Abstract: A blanket installation method includes: a transporting step of transporting a blanket unit (1), in which a blanket (2) and a transport jig (3) are integrally coupled, between an inner tank (60) and an outer tank (50) of a double shell structure tank in a suspended condition; and a mounting step of mounting the blanket unit (1) on a shell plate of the inner tank (60). The transport jig (3) is formed by attaching a blanket fixing pin (34) to a jig main body (3A) through pin coupling. The blanket (2) is held at the blanket fixing pin (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shiomi, Masaki Takahashi, Hidenori Suzuki, Satoru Nagumo, Akira Iwano
  • Patent number: 8955338
    Abstract: A cryogenic fluid storage tank having a first conduit adapted for filling and extracting a cryogenic liquid from the tank and a second conduit adapted for filling and extracting a gas from the tank is disclosed, wherein heat originating from inlet and outlet conduits transferred to the tank is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Marcus Jung, Rainer Immel
  • Publication number: 20150008228
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tank container (100; 100?) for the transport and storage of cryogenic liquefied gas, comprising a framework (120) and a cylindrical vessel (110) connected to the framework (120), wherein the vessel (110) is covered by a superinsulation arrangement (130) based on an aerogel composition, and the vessel (110) is connected to the framework (120) by a clamping device (30) which is adapted to allow for a relative movement between the framework (120) and the vessel (110) due to thermal expansion or contraction of the vessel (110).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicants: Aerogel CARD d.o.o., Aspen Aerogels, Inc.
    Inventors: Milan Zrim, Mihael Gruden
  • Publication number: 20140346178
    Abstract: In the case of a storage vessel of cryogenic gas or cryogenic compressed gas, particularly a cryo-pressure tank for a motor vehicle, having a storage volume for accommodating the stored gas, a mixing device is provided in the storage volume for mixing the gas stored in the storage volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Markus KAMPITSCH
  • Patent number: 8887944
    Abstract: Apparatus for use with substantially thermally sealed storage containers are described herein. These include an apparatus comprising a stored material module, a stabilizer unit, a stored material module cap and a central stabilizer unit. The apparatus also include a transportation stabilizer unit with dimensions corresponding to a substantially thermally sealed storage container with a flexible conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Tokitae LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey F. Deane, Lawrence Morgan Fowler, William Gates, Jenny Ezu Hu, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Mark K. Kuiper, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Nathan Pegram, Nels R. Peterson, Clarence T. Tegreene, Mike Vilhauer, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Ozgur Emek Yildirim
  • Patent number: 8857650
    Abstract: A cryogenic liquid storage tank includes a base plate and side wall extending upwardly. The base plate and side wall include an outer leaf enveloping an inner leaf. The outer leaf part of the base plate includes a lower, outer leaf concrete bottom plate on a substrate. The bottom plate is continuous with an outer leaf reinforced concrete layer of the outer side wall. An inward surface of the bottom plate and concrete layer of the outer leaf are lined with a continuous outer leaf metallic membrane. A bottom insulation layer is arranged above the outer leaf metallic membrane on the bottom plate. The inner leaf includes an inner leaf concrete bottom layer on the bottom insulation portion. The inner leaf metal membrane is lined with an inner leaf inner concrete layer. The outer leaf hoop stress reinforced outer concrete wall supporting an insulated dome structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Iglo Contractors AS
    Inventor: Otto Skovholt
  • Patent number: 8813983
    Abstract: A fluidtight tank including a bearing structure, a fluidtight barrier, the fluidtight barrier having a polygonal, cylindrical shape and including a vertical wall and a bottom wall, in which the said vertical wall of the fluidtight barrier has a plurality of vertical panels the bearing structure surrounding the vertical wall, and in which the bottom wall includes a plurality of rectangular components arranged in sectors that are the image of one another but rotated, the edges of the rectangular components of one of the sectors being respectively parallel and perpendicular to one of the vertical panels, wherein the number of the vertical panels is twice the number of the sectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Gaztransport & Technigaz
    Inventor: Adnan Ezzarhouni
  • Patent number: 8807382
    Abstract: A storage system useful for storing cryogenic liquids is disclosed. The storage system includes a storage vessel, insulation surrounding the storage vessel and a flexible vacuum jacket enclosing them both. The flexible vacuum jacket can be made from a flexible plastic film such as polyimide. Polyimide is preferred due to its ability to remain flexible at cryogenic temperatures. The inner volume of the flexible vacuum jacket is placed under vacuum such that the insulation is maintained under vacuum. The flexible vacuum jacket can collapse against and conform to the insulation when it is evacuated, saving substantially on volume. A fitting for combining multiple passageways is also disclosed, so that multiple passageways can proceed through the vacuum jacket through a single penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Sierra Lobo, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Haberbusch, Brad Stoops, Chinh T. Nguyen, Robert J. Stochl, Martin E. Roth
  • Patent number: 8783501
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for constructing a cryogenic storage tank (700) having a welded inner tank (702), an outer shell (704) surrounding the welded inner tank (702), a concrete foundation (728) comprising a raised portion (752), a plurality of cellular glass blocks (734) positioned directly on top of the raised portion (752) of the concrete foundation (728), a leveling course of concrete (736) poured on top of the uppermost layer of the plurality of cellular glass blocks (734), and a mounting apparatus (718) affixed to the concrete foundation (728), where the welded inner tank (702) is positioned on top of the leveling course of concrete (736) and the outer shell (704) is affixed to the mounting apparatus (718) at locations around the periphery of the outer shell (704).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Avijit Mookerjee
  • Patent number: 8770907
    Abstract: A cryopreservation vessel of the present invention includes a vessel body which holds a low-temperature liquefied gas, a cap which closes an opening section of the vessel body and has a plurality of through holes that are formed so as to pass through in a vertical direction, and ampoule storing tools which are housed so as to be able to pass through the through holes of the cap, and the ampoule storing tools are each comprised of a support pillar and a plurality of ampoule storing sections which are equipped with the support pillar so as to be arrayed in a vertical direction of the support pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Shigehiro Yoshimura, Masahiro Takeuchi, Mamoru Fujita, Hidetoshi Ohta
  • Patent number: 8757422
    Abstract: There is provided a cryogenic tank having a dual construction for storing ultralow temperature liquid with improvement which allows simplicity in its construction and readiness of setup and allows reduction in the setup, yet achieves high reliability. For accomplishing the above-noted object, in a cryogenic tank having a dual construction with an inner tank for storing low-temperature liquefaction fluid therein and an outer tank enclosing the bottom and the shell of the inner tank. The inner tank includes a bottomed inner vessel formed of concrete and an inner cold resistant relief covering the inner face of the inner vessel. The outer tank includes a bottomed outer vessel formed of concrete and an outer cold resistant relief covering the inner face of the outer vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeyoshi Nishizaki, Motohiko Nakatani, Tomoki Ushida
  • Publication number: 20140157798
    Abstract: A device for the cryopreservation and/or vitrification of a biological sample in a freezing medium is described. The device preferably comprises a bath for receiving a vessel containing a biological sample in liquid-phase nitrogen. In one example, the bath includes a first member extending generally vertically from a bottom wall portion which divides the interior chamber of the bath into a first sub-chamber adapted for receiving a volume of cryogenic freezing medium and a second or overflow sub-chamber adapted to receive freezing medium from the first sub-chamber. A second member extends generally horizontally between the sidewall portions of the bath and includes at least one opening for receiving a biological sample-containing vessel(s). A kit including a cryogenic storage device and a vessel is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Jorge L. Jimenez-Rios, Bryan D. Woodard, Shawn Nichols, Scott K. Philhower, Barry B. Hoult
  • Patent number: 8727159
    Abstract: The present invention relates to cryogenic fluids. In another aspect, the present invention relates to additional protection of an apparatus containing equipment capable of operating at cryogenic temperatures and containing cryogenic materials. In one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus includes a primary enclosure defining an internal volume. The primary enclosure includes primary walls, a primary ceiling, a primary floor, and a vapor venting system. The primary enclosure is fabricated from a low temperature alloy. At least of a portion of the primary floor forms a slope to a hydrocarbon outlet. A perforated plate is located on top of the hydrocarbon outlet. The perforated plate is fabricated from a low temperature alloy. A fire retardant agent applied to the exterior surface of the primary enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Wilkes, Jon M. Mock
  • Publication number: 20140117021
    Abstract: Cryogenic fluid tank for a launch rocket, comprising at least one wall delimiting a storage space for cryogenic fluid, said wall being provided, on at least part of the internal surface thereof, with thermal insulation comprising a so-called top layer intended to be in contact with the fluid stored in the storage space, characterized in that the top layer comprises an insulating material covered, on the face thereof intended to be in contact with the cryogenic fluid stored in the tank, with an impervious enclosure forming an impervious barrier between the cryogenic fluid stored and the insulating material, and in that the insulating material of the top layer is completely encapsulated in an impervious enclosure, that is to say the insulating material is covered by the impervious enclosure over its entire surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Sophie Quemerais, Francois Barbier
  • Patent number: 8678225
    Abstract: The present invention relates to use of a composite material as a fluid barrier under cryogenic conditions, the composite material having: (a) a tensile Young's modulus of less than 50 GPa; and (b) a tensile strain at break of at least 5% at ambient conditions. The present invention further relates to a sandwich and a containment system for a cryogenic fluid comprising the composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Franciscus Antonius Henri Janssen, Levinus Marinus De Mul
  • Patent number: 8651313
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for storing fluid in an underwater cryogenic storage vessel designed for use in a fuel system of an underwater vehicle. According to one aspect of the disclosure, a storage vessel includes at least two concentrically arranged storage tanks, which includes a first storage tank and a second storage tank. The first storage tank surrounds the second storage tank, such that the first storage tank is configured to protect the second storage tank from external environmental conditions. The storage vessel also includes a storage compartment positioned adjacent to the two storage tanks. In one embodiment, the storage vessel may be an underwater cryogenic storage vessel that stores liquid oxygen used as a reactant in a fuel cell and liquid carbon dioxide, which is an effluent of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Edwin C. Cady, Daniel A. Watts, Gary D. Grayson
  • Publication number: 20140041398
    Abstract: A boil-off gas processing apparatus for reliquefying a boil-off gas (22) generated within a liquefied gas tank (2) storing a liquefied gas (21) and returning the reliquefied gas to the interior of the liquefied gas tank (2) includes a boil-off gas discharge line (3) configured to discharge the boil-off gas (22) from the liquefied gas tank (2) to outside, and a boil-off gas reliquefaction line (4) configured to immerse at least part of the boil-off gas discharge line (3) in the liquefied gas (21) within the liquefied gas tank (2). The boil-off gas reliquefaction line (4) includes a pressure holding device (42) configured to maintains a pressure necessary for reliquefaction of the boil-off gas (22) and has a length (L) sufficient to be able to absorb an amount of heat necessary for reliquefaction of the boil-off gas (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: JAPAN MARINE UNITED CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eiji Aoki
  • Publication number: 20140026597
    Abstract: A cryogenic fuel storage system for an aircraft is disclosed including a cryogenic fuel tank having a first wall forming a storage volume capable of storing a cryogenic liquid fuel; an inflow system capable of flowing the cryogenic liquid fuel into the storage volume; an outflow system adapted to deliver the cryogenic liquid fuel from the cryogenic fuel storage system; and a vent system capable of removing at least a portion of a gaseous fuel formed from the cryogenic liquid fuel in the storage volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Jay Epstein, Randy M. Vondrell, Robert Harold Weisgerber, Narendra Joshi, Thomas Bonser
  • Publication number: 20130306643
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquefied natural gas storage apparatus. The apparatus includes a heat insulated tank and liquefied natural gas contained in the tank. The tank has heat insulation sufficient to maintain liquefied natural gas therein such that most of the liquefied natural gas stays in liquid. The contained liquefied natural gas has a vapor pressure from about 0.3 bar to about 2 bar. The apparatus further includes a safety valve configured to release a part of liquefied natural gas contained in the tank when a vapor pressure of liquefied natural gas within the tank becomes higher than a cut-off pressure. The cut-off pressure is from about 0.3 bar to about 2 bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: JUNG HAN LEE, JUNG HO CHOI, SUNG KON HAN, DONG KYU CHOI, YOUNG SIK MOON
  • Publication number: 20130299501
    Abstract: A LNG storage container includes: an inner shell made of a metal withstanding a low temperature of the LNG and configured to store the LNG inside; an outer shell made of a steel withstanding an internal pressure of the inner shell and configured to enclosing the outside of the inner shell such that a space is formed between the inner shell and the outer shell; and a heat insulation layer part installed in the space between the inner shell and the outer shell and configured to reduce a heat transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Han Lee, Seong Woo Park, Jae Yeol Lee, Kwang Seok Kim, Yoo II Kim, Joong Kyoo Kang
  • Publication number: 20130263608
    Abstract: A cryogenic device is disclosed which has a cryogenic chamber, temperature sensor, a liquid cryogen injection zone, a source of heat, and a controller, in response to temperature data obtained from the temperature sensor, the injection of liquid cryogen into the injection zone and the application of heat, to control the temperature in the cryogenic chamber. The device may utilise a second source or a higher temperature gas as the source of heat and may utilise a multilayered plate insulator between the injection sites for cryogen and the cryogenic chamber. The device may also incorporate an overflow monitoring system and/or an automated cryogen filling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: QUANTUM PRODUCTION LIMITED
    Inventor: David Thornton-Wood
  • Publication number: 20130255562
    Abstract: A method of creating a watertightness barrier for a wall of a watertightened thermally insulating tank, involves steps of: arranging a repeating structure including alternately a strip of sheet metal and an elongate welding flange connected to the support surface, so that the turned-up lateral edges of the strip of sheet metal are positioned against the adjacent welding flanges, welding the turned-up lateral edge to the welding flange using a straight welded seam along a first longitudinal portion, continuing the straight welded seam with an end portion which is deviated in the direction of an upper edge corner, and producing a watertight edge corner welded seam along a second longitudinal portion of the strip of sheet metal such that the edge corner welded seam watertightly meets the end portion of the welded seam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: GAZTRANSPORT ET TECHNIGAZ
    Inventors: Gery Canler, Amaury Mange
  • Patent number: 8528362
    Abstract: A cryogenic installation unit comprises at least one item of equipment (2, 6A to 6H, 15) to be thermally insulated, a structure (1) for containing the at least one item of equipment, a main insulation (3) contained in the structure and, associated with this main insulation, a secondary insulation (5) of lower thermal conductivity than the main insulation, said secondary insulation (5) consisting of a vacuum insulation panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Denis Clodic, Fabrice Delcorso, Jean-Pierre Tranier, Golo Zick
  • Patent number: 8387334
    Abstract: An LNG system generally comprises a primary container, and a secondary container positioned around the primary container. The secondary container generally comprises a first end wall, a second end wall, and at least two side walls. At least one of the walls is fabricated from a plurality of prefabricated wall panels. Each of the wall panels is fabricated from a combination of concrete and steel. The wall panels are preferably prefabricated offsite, and then transported to the construction site where they are adjoined together in end-to-end fashion to form walls. A method for constructing a full containment LNG system is also provided. In one embodiment, walls and a roof for a secondary container are assembled, but leaving an end open. At least one primary tank is brought into the secondary container. A second end wall is then erected to form the enclosure for the secondary container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Kailash C. Gulati, Thomas A. Ballard, Alexander V. Krimotat
  • Patent number: 8317056
    Abstract: A structure and method for bonding heat-insulating protection walls of a liquefied natural gas carrier is provided. Each of the heat-insulating protection walls is formed of an insulation foam layer and a fiber-reinforced composite reinforcing sheet attached to a surface of the insulation foam layer. The heat-insulating protection walls are provided in a tank of the liquefied natural gas carrier in a mutually adjoining relationship and bonded to one another at a junction to keep the tank cold. The structure includes a fiber-reinforced composite joint sheet positioned in alignment with the juncture of the heat-insulating protection walls and bonded to the fiber-reinforced composite reinforcing sheet by an adhesive agent and a spacer interposed between the fiber-reinforced composite reinforcing sheet and the fiber-reinforced composite joint sheet for keeping the adhesive agent uniform in thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Dai-Gil Lee, Sang-Wook Park, Byung-Chul Kim, Seong-su Kim
  • Publication number: 20120279971
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage tank for a hydrogen fueled aircraft. The tank has a wall made of layers of aerogel sections around a hard shell layer, sealed within a flexible outer layer, and having the air removed to form a vacuum. The periphery of each layer section abuts other sections of that layer, but only overlies the periphery of the sections of other layers at individual points. The wall is characterized by a thermal conductivity that is lower near its gravitational top than its gravitational bottom. The tank has two exit passageways, one being direct, and the other passing through a vapor shield that extends through the wall between two layers of aerogel. A control system controls the relative flow through the two passages to regulate the boil-off rate of the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: AEROVIRONMENT INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Nelson BROOKS, Bart Dean HIBBS, David Robert THOMPSON
  • Patent number: 8297468
    Abstract: A storage tank is provided for storing liquefied natural gas on, for example, a motor vehicle such as a bus or truck. The storage tank includes a metal liner vessel encapsulated by a resin-fiber composite layer. A foam insulating layer, including an outer protective layer of epoxy or of a truck liner material, covers the composite layer. A non-conducting protective coating may be painted on the vessel between the composite layer and the vessel so as to inhibit galvanic corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Thomas K. DeLay
  • Patent number: 8162167
    Abstract: A storage tank having an inner vessel disposed within an outer vessel. A common-access tube or conduit is used to route the various fluid flow lines into the interior of the inner vessel. The common-access tube facilitates modular construction and assembly of the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventors: Jader Matos Da Silva, Rainer Immel
  • Patent number: 8141738
    Abstract: Cryogenic tank insulation system comprising blocks of insulating materials placed, at low temperature, so as to be essentially touching on one face of the structure of said tank, the blocks being placed between said face of the structure and an impervious deformable wall which defines at least one portion of the volume where the cryogenic fluid is stored and is actuated by return means for returning it to the face of the structure, characterized in that a first portion of the blocks is at ambient temperature in contact with the face of the structure and away from the impervious deformable wall, a second portion of the blocks being at ambient temperature, in contact with the impervious deformable wall and away from the face of the structure, the edges of the blocks of the first portion; and those of the second portion being, at ambient temperature, in partial contact and having complementary shapes so as to form an essentially continuous layer of insulating material at low temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude Et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Thierry Wiertz
  • Publication number: 20120036870
    Abstract: A general method of cooling and maintaining the uniform temperature of an extended structure is provided with specific application discussed of keeping a superconducting coil at cryogenic temperatures in the presence of external heat loads that may be variable in space and time. The approach embeds the structure to be cooled (208) into the vapor space (108) of a heat pipe assembly (202), which consists of an outer wall (116), a fluid wicking mechanism (110, 114), thermal insulation (118) and a mechanism for heat extraction, such as the cold tip (206) of a cryocooler (204).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel Woojung Kwon, Raymond J. Sedwick, David W. Miller
  • Patent number: 8100284
    Abstract: A cryogenic fluid storage tank having an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit, and a thermal shield in thermal contact with the inner vessel is disclosed, wherein the thermal shield is adapted to militate against heat transfer from the atmosphere to a cryogenic fluid by the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Opertions LLC
    Inventors: Harald Schlag, Rainer Immel