Abstract: A device forming a heat insulating wall structure for a fluid-tight tank and comprising an interposed joint packing including on each one of its sides at least one lateral joint consisting of a flexible and expansible heat insulating material accommodated within a corresponding recess of the packing body and connected to the latter, which joint after said packing has been mounted between two adjacent panels is in free pressed bearing engagement with the neighbouring panel.

Abstract: A process is provided for optimizing the storage capacity, based on weight, of a hydrogen storage device containing a hydride-forming alloy. A corresponding hydrogen storage device is also provided wherein the storage device is designed to operate under a pressure of 100 to 300 bars, and the weight of hydride-forming alloy contained within the device is about 0.8 to 2 kg of hydride-forming alloy per liter of internal volume. As an added benefit attendant this process and device, the hydrogen gas stored in the device is purified thereby.

Abstract: A coolant preservation container having vacuum space in a peripheral portion of the interior thereof for making a container member adiabatic and a partition for dividing the container member into a plurality of chamber. Each chamber has ports from and via which a coolant is taken out from and returned to the chamber. These ports are suited to circulate a coolant contained in the chamber on external cooling trap.

Abstract: A container for low temperature liquefied gas includes inner and outer shells forming a sealed evacuated space around the inner shell to insure low heat conduction from the ambient surroundings through the container to the liquefied gas in the inner shell. The container provides gas at relatively low pressure by drawing the liquefied gas from the inner shell to a heat exchanger where it evaporates and is fed to a user. A vacuum insulated access channel is provided through the shells for a fluid output tube through which the liquefied gas is drawn from the inner shell to the heat exchanger. The channel is formed by a thin wall sealing tube that conducts little heat, because the wall is so thin, sealed to the inner shell and enclosed by a support structure including a thick wall structural tube enclosing the thin wall tube and connected rigidly and sealed to the outer shell for structural support between the shells and also provides an annular space around the thin wall tube that is evacuated.

Abstract: An improved hull construction of a freight carrier with an upright cylindrical storage tank structure with heat-insulation on the outer circumferential surface thereof and having an upwardly-convex top surface, adaptable for the storage and transportation of high and/or low temperature freight material, which includes a tank bottom insulation disposed on the bottom part of the hull construction upon which the tank structure is mounted in position, tank skirt extending downwardly from the lower part of the cylindrical side plate extension of the tank structure, the upper part of the cylindrical tank skirt being secured to the tank structure, the lower part of the cylindrical skirt being connected to the hull construction, and wherein at least a peripheral part of the tank bottom plate is raised in height toward the peripheral edge and connected to the lower end of the tank side plate, while the upper end of the tank side plate is positioned over the upper deck surface of the vessel so that a substantial part o

Abstract: A superconducting device including a superconducting coil is suitable for use in a nuclear magnetic resonance computer tomography apparatus which requires a highly-uniform, highly-stable magnetostatic field. However, a serious problem arises when a large-sized superconducting coil is to be installed in a small room of a hospital or the like. A superconducting device capable of solving this problem is disclosed in which a very low temperature vessel having the form of a cylinder contains a superconducting coil in a state that the superconducting coil is immersed in a very low temperature coolant, and very low temperature coolant inlet port communicating the very low temperature vessel for introducing the very low temperature coolant into the very low temperature vessel is provided along a radial direction perpendicular to the horizontal center axis of the superconducting device and inclined at a desired angle with a vertical direction.

Abstract: The invention concerns a composite assembly forming a thermal protection or dissipation screen comprising a hot wall and a cold wall, wherein it includes between said hot wall and said cold wall at least two adjacent elements called vaporizer superheaters of a refractory material, each comprising within itself a socalled reactive substance capable of releasing at a given temperature specific to each element a non flammable gas or vapor, each of said elements being separated from the other by a wall sealed from the temperature of release of vapor or gas of the element located the closest to said hot wall but capable of becoming porous as soon as such temperature is exceeded, each element due to the presence of said reactive substance evolving from the vaporizer function to the superheater function depending on development of the thermal aggression to which it is submitted.

Abstract: In a storage tank having at least a fixed exterior roof through which a pipe connection extends for feeding or removing a fluid from the tank, the improvement comprising a pipe connection including a pipe extending through an oversized hole in the roof; a sleeve, surrounding but spaced outwardly from the pipe, extending through the roof hole and connected to the roof around the hole; the sleeve having an upper end spaced upwardly above the roof and connected to the pipe; the sleeve having a lower end spaced below the roof and unattached to the pipe; granular insulation occupying the space between the sleeve and the pipe; and a barrier preventing the granular insulation from flowing out the sleeve lower end.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for fabricating mobile cryogenic storage vessels insulated with fiberglass batting, a layer of which is non-compressively secured to the outer shell and to the inner vessel in such manner as to fill all spaces between the support members so as to leave an annular evacuable space between the layers of insulation.

Abstract: A thermally insulated holder for accommodating a single beverage-containing can of standard size is comprised of two identical mating halves, each half comprised of an integral monolithic jacket fabricated of a closed cell foam of a resilient polymer, and a refrigerant container positioned at the bottom of the jacket. The refrigerant container is adapted to confine a refrigerant liquid. The two halves are adapted to be brought together in sealing abutment about the beverage-containing can. Grooves within the jacket conduct the cooling effect of the refrigerant to the beverage-containing can.

Abstract: First, one end of a neck tube is adhesive bonded in an outwardly diverging frustoconical orifice of an inner vessel. The other end of the neck tube is then adhesive bonded in the outwardly converging frustoconical orifice of the upper part of the outer vessel. Thereafter the lower part of the outer vessel is welded or bonded to said upper part. The resulting container is useful for storing very high or very low temperature liquids.

Abstract: An insert for a horizontal cryostat penetration includes a plurality of foam particles or spheres between which are disposed disks of high thermal conductivity. The spheres or particles are disposed in an annular volume defined by two concentric, thin-wall, low thermal conductivity conduits. This foam filled insert provides thermal insulation and significantly reduces the formation of coolant vapor convection currents in the penetration which would otherwise significantly increase the rate of coolant evaporation from the cryostat. The insert is constructed so that the foam particles are ejected from the penetration upon the buildup of excessive internal pressure. The insert has also preferably one or more string-like lengths of sealing material disposed in a helical pattern about the outer one of the concentric conduits. Accordingly, when this insert is placed within a third conduit, a helical coolant vapor path is formed for insert cooling and exterior ventilation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of building a reservoir for storing liquefied natural gas at low temperature.This method consists in fixing on the internal wall 22 of the concrete vessel 3 a first thin lining 21 forming a first fluid-tight barrier, then in completely filling the space between the tank 2 and the concrete vessel 3 by means of a heat-insulating structure comprising an assembly of stacked blocks 25 of insulating material, associated with a second thin lining 24 forming a second fluid-tight barrier, said structure being supported by the concrete vessel and simply arranged round the inner tank.The building method according to the invention applies in particular to liquefied natural gas storage reservoirs installed on solid ground.

Abstract: In an insulated spherical tank for containing liquefied gas, said tank comprising a support in the form of a vertical, partially thermally-insulated skirt which forms a unified structure with the tank wall, wherein the insulation in the wedge-shaped region between the skirt and the spherical tank is sealingly joined, the sealed joint is secured with a mechanical connection.

Abstract: A single-stage cryogenic tank support system is disclosed having a large-radius support tube surrounding an internal storage tank, both of which are enclosed by an external shell. The attachment tube is secured to the internal storage tank and external shell by cold and hot support rings, respectively, in a manner that inhibits thermal conductivity, provides low bending stress to the system, and avoids resonant vibrations of the system at low frequencies.

Abstract: A container is disclosed for storing refrigerated liquids, in particular for liquefied gases, which comprises a steel reinforced concrete outer container and a steel inner container inserted into the outer container, where the steel inner container rests on an insulation and where an annular interspace is present between the outer circumference of the inner steel container and the inner circumference of the outer container. The interspace can be fully or in part of its thickness filled with insulating materials.

Abstract: In a ship for carrying a low temperature liquid storage tank which is supported on the bottom of a ship's hold by especially horizontal displacement preventive tank supporting structures, a leaked liquid receiving pan is disposed below an engaging member which is extended downwardly from the bottom of the tank. The low temperature liquid leaked from the tank and falling between the engaging member and a heat insulating layer surrounding the tank is received by the leaked liquid receiving pan and does not reach the bottom of the ship's hold, whereby the bottom of the hold is prevented from being cooled.

Abstract: In a cryostat of the type having nested vessels, a cryostat vessel wall spacing system wherein a plurality of rigid spacer stubs are secured between the vessel walls of adjacent vessels. The spacer stubs are mounted on the wall of an inner vessel to extend axially outwardly. A plurality of stub caps are secured to the adjacent vessel wall of a next outer vessel, with each stub cap having a recess designed to retain one of the spacer stubs therein. Each spacer stub engages its respective stub cap and is retained within the recess thereof when the walls of the nested vessels are at substantially the same temperature to uniformly and rigidly space apart the vessel walls of the nested vessels. When the vessel walls thermally contract because of the introduction of low temperature liquified gas into the inner vessel, each of the spacer stubs is withdrawn from its respective recess a distance sufficient to disengage said spacer stub and stub cap.

Abstract: A support for a cryogen container, particularly adapted for use in spacecraft, provides a dual support. One portion of the structure supports the container in the absence of acceleration force, and the other portion of the structure supports the container in the presence of acceleration forces. The support includes a first connector means and second connector means. A first support extends between the first and second connector means. The first support is constructed of high-strength metal and is adapted at its ends for structural engagement and support of said first and second connector means. A second support also extends between said first and second connector means. The second support is constructed of material having low thermal conductivity, has a degree of elasticity, and provides support of said first connector means from said second connector means in the presence of normal forces imposed by the container and its contents.

Abstract: A storage tank for cryogenic liquefied gases comprising an outer shell, a fluid-tight inner shell defining the storage space containing the liquefied gas and an insulating structure provided in the evacuated intermediate space, the insulating structure including a wall made of juxtaposed hollow, evacuated panels, the joints between adjacent panels being tightly covered by elements adapted to take up the cold-induced wall shrinkage, the elements and the inner wall of said juxtaposed panels forming said inner shell.

Abstract: A liquid storage tank for storing a liquid at a temperature substantially above or below atmospheric temperature comprising a primary liquid containment vessel capable of storing liquid; an outer vessel spaced outwardly from and surrounding a substantial portion of the primary vessel; a liquid conduit communicating with and joined to the primary liquid containment vessel and extending through an oversized hole in the outer vessel; a flexible expansion and contraction unit surrounding the liquid conduit, in spaced apart arrangement, exterior of the outer vessel with the expansion unit having an end joined to the outer vessel around the oversized hole and another end joined to the liquid conduit; at least one closeable access port in the flexible unit for feeding insulation into the flexible unit and around the liquid conduit; and insulation around the liquid conduit and inside the flexible unit.

Abstract: The tank is a modified form of the lobed tank described in British Pat. No. 1522609, whereby the tank ends are of simpler constructional form. Thus, the tank comprises, top, bottom and two opposed side walls (1 to 4) each consisting of parallel, part-cylindrical lobes (11) which are connected and tied together by tie-plates (13, 14) and elongated armed insert elements (16, 17 and 17a). The invention is characterized in that each one of said other two opposed side walls (5, 6) comprises at least two part-lobes (11c) which present straight edges to which the common straight end edges of a series of two-way corner transition (12c) and part-transition (12d) pieces are joined, and in that the end of each part-lobe (11c) has a respective part-transition piece (12d) joined thereto to present a curved edge to which a part-spherical three-way corner (12b) can be joined to close-off the side wall (5 or 6).

Abstract: Cryogenic insulation system for containers for storage of cryogenic liquefied gases such as LNG (liquid natural gas), comprised of a low temperature resistant metal, preferably high nickel steel, membrane or liner supported by a layer of reinforced foam insulation. There is provided at corners, for example at 90.degree. corners, and disposed within the foam insulation layer, a corner structure comprised of a low temperature resistant metal, preferably high nickel steel, e.g. Invar, angle member, to which such membrane is attached, a support or back-up member for such angle member, a plurality of low thermal conductivity high strength metal, e.g. stainless steel, strips or fingers attached as by welding, to the angle member, such fingers being in the plane of the membrane, the fingers being attached at their outer ends to connectors which are attached to the container wall or ship hull. The fingers transmit loads from the metal membrane through the container wall or ship hull.

Abstract: A hollow reinforced concrete sphere can be used as a container for transporting compressed gas, such as natural gas. Such containers can be interconnected and towed from one place to another by an ocean-going tugboat. Each container is formed with three band-like groups of reinforcing rings. Each group has its reinforcing rings disposed at right angles to the reinforcing rings in the other groups. The inner and outer surfaces of the container walls can be covered with a desired coating. In constructing the containers, they can be built at the water's edge and then rolled into the water.

Abstract: In a marine vessel for transporting liquefied gas at cryogenic temperatures, an improved support structure is provided for mounting the cargo tank in the hull of the vessel. The support structure includes a two-piece structure with a first upper annular skirt piece attached to and depending from the cargo tank at about the equatorial region. A second skirt piece is attached to and extends upward from the hull of the vessel and is proportioned to be received in a crotch formed between the outer surface of the tank and the upper skirt piece. The skirt pieces are mechanically joined to secure the tank within the hull.

Abstract: A double-walled vacuum insulated cryogenic liquid container wherein the access conduit is composed of a material whose strength increases with decreasing temperature with the conduit having a wall thickness which varies in a manner such that when the container is holding a cryogenic liquid, the ratio of bending moment stress in the conduit due to a selected applied force to the strength of the conduit material is substantially constant along the length of the conduit.

Abstract: A heat-insulated container for liquefied gases, which includes a rigid outer shell internally lined with a heat-insulating material, is provided with a locating and/or supporting device for pumps or other apparatus. The support device is formed of a material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion, such as an iron-nickel alloy and is bonded directly or indirectly to the heat-insulating material lining the rigid shell.

Abstract: Hydrogen evaporating in a liquid hydrogen tank is fed to a fuel cell generating electrical energy used to drive a cooling unit which cools the tank.

Abstract: A relatively thin, flexible, impervious, sheet-like laminated building material comprising at least three continuous overlying layers of yielding material adapted to withstand very severe cold conditions, bonded together and consisting of at least one first mechanically strong supporting endmost layer having a thickness of from about 0.3 to about 0.6 mm; at least one impervious film-like layer having a thickness of from 0.04 to 0.10 mm and at least one second endmost lining layer providing at least a mechanical and at least temporary protection and having a thickness from about 0.3 to 0.6 mm.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insulated tank container. In order to obtain a particularly light and cheap construction, the tank container consists of a thin inner shell (4) and outside this semi-hard or hard insulation (6, 8, 10, 11) which has the capacity to take up and transfer stresses in various directions and is firmly glued to the inner shell. An outer shell (5, 7, 9) with a framework (1) may be disposed outside the insulation. As an alternative, the insulation may be introduced, foamed and hardened in situ between preformed shells.

Abstract: A cryogenic tank comprising an innermost fluid-confining wall forming a primary barrier made form relatively thin, flexible, impervious, sheet-like laminated building material comprising at least three continuous overlying layers of yielding material adapted to withstand very severe cold conditions, bonded together and consisting of at least one first mechanically strong supporting outer layer, at least one impervious film-like intermediate layer and at least one second inner lining layer providing at least a mechanical and at least temporary protection.

Abstract: The support has a filling of insulating concrete which fills the space between the foundation slab and sand support layer. A cold sink formed of horizontal pipes laid in the main wind direction is encased in a middle region of the support. An impermeable film is placed over the cold sink and about the filing to prevent entry of moisture into the filling.

Abstract: Thermoplastic foam bodies are readily generally continuously laminated together wherein the joint therebetween contains a reinforcing scrim. Friction on each of the foam bodies is generally equalized by positioning the scrim relative to both major faces of the heating element employed for the lamination to obtain a desired degree of curvature in the laminate.

Abstract: A support system for large generally cylindrical tanks in ships and including four supporting devices each comprising a tank portion and a hull portion respectively secured to the tank and hull, one of the supports being fixed with respect to linear horizontal movement, another of the supports being movable only transversely of the longitudinal axis of the tank, yet another of the supports being movable parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tank and still another support being movable both parallel to and transversely of the longitudinal axis of the tank; each tank portion of each support being connected with its respective hull portion by means of a spherical joint with thermal insulation between the spherical portions of the joints.

Abstract: Cryogenic insulation seal for a concrete container, having an inner cryogenic liquid tank, comprising a concrete floor slab, a vertical concrete wall moveably supported on the concrete floor, and insulation positioned within the container adjacent the horizontal floor slab and the vertical concrete wall, and including a metal, e.g. steel, liner positioned around the inner surface of the container, adjacent the inner surfaces of the floor slab and the concrete wall and supporting the insulation, and forming an inner seal around the container. The steel liner is inclined from the vertical at a corner above the floor slab and is attached to the vertical concrete wall at a predetermined height above the floor slab, forming a gap between the liner and the concrete vertical wall at the corner, and permitting inward lateral motion of said vertical wall with respect to the floor slab at such corner, while permitting the steel liner and the insulation supported by the liner to flex and maintain a seal at the corner.

Abstract: A cryostatic device comprising an inner wall and an outer wall connected at their upper parts by a filling orifice, a vacuum being made between the two walls, wherein the tank of cryogenic liquid, which is defined by the inner wall, is divided by a separating partition into two tanks, a primary tank and a secondary tank, the secondary tank surrounding all or part of the primary tank, the filling orifice opening into the secondary tank, and the primary tank and the secondary tank communicating via an orifice located in the separating partition at a level such that the volume of the primary tank located below said orifice is approximately equal to the volume located above this same orifice in this same tank.

Abstract: Composite insulating panels each having a generally rectangular casing and insulating material in the casing are mounted by mechanical fastening means in a covering layer over an inner surface of a supporting enclosure. A cross-shaped joint cover member is installed between four adjacent corner portions of each group of four rectangularly arranged composite panels. A straight joint cover member is installed between each pair of adjacent composite panels, a pair of opposite end portions thereof being joined respectively to a pair of the cross-shaped joint cover members. Each of four leg portions of each cross-shaped joint cover member has a generally U-shaped cross section open toward the inner surface of the supporting enclosure. Each straight joint cover member has a generally U-shaped cross-section open toward the inner surface of the supporting enclosure.

Abstract: A spill condition venting system for a double containment tank includes a control system for controlling, in the event of a spill or an overflow of fluid into the annulus of such double containment tank, the flow of stored fluid into and out of the annulus and for controlling vapor resulting from such spill.

Abstract: A conical transition between the vaulted upper part of a tank onboard a ship and the tank dome is disclosed. This conical transition or cone solves vibration problems in the tank by increasing the natural frequency of the tank dome.

Abstract: An improved cryostat for the superconducting magnet of an NMR spectrometer comprises a nested structure of isothermal shells surrounding a thermally conductive central reservoir of substantially spherical shape containing liquid helium in which the superconducting solenoid remains operational when only partially immersed. A radiation shield surrounding the central reservoir is cooled by the boil-off of escaping helium vapor. The radiation shield is enclosed within a isothermal shell maintained at the temperature of liquid nitrogen by thermal contact with a liquid nitrogen reservoir disposed above the region of the central reservoir and shielded therefrom by a wall of the isothermal shell. An outer radiation shield surrounds the liquid nitrogen reservoir and associated isothermal shell and the outer radiation shield is maintained at a temperatures of the order of 180.degree. K. by an external refrigeration facility.

Abstract: A thermally insulated storage or transport vessel for low-boiling point liquefied gases comprises a rigid self-supporting inner receptacle or tank and a nonself-supporting outer container. The outer container is formed from a pair of longitudinally spaced opposing rigid end shells interconnected by an intermediate shell provided with stiffening formations extending peripherally of the intermediate shell. The intermediate shell is longitudinally expansible or contractile and may be formed with angular-section on curved-section corrugations.

Abstract: Heat insulation for structures such as cryogenic tanks for example liquid natural gas tanks, often referred to as LNG tanks, is effective at cryogenic and higher temperatures up to the heat and structural limits of the honeycomb materials used which include integral heat radiation shields. The heat transfer is minimized with respect to conduction, by utilizing the minimum heat path possible within the honeycomb also essentially designed to take compressive loads, with respect to radiation, by placing multiple low emissivity heat shields spaced throughout the hexagonal cells, and in respect to convection, by replacing air with a low conductivity gas, or alternately creating a vacuum, to practically eliminate this convection mode of heat transfer.

Abstract: A heat insulated tank is disclosed having inner and outer walls between which a supporting material is interposed. The material comprises a molding of alkaline earth metal silicates or a molding of composite material based thereon having a continuous open cell structure and subjected to heat treatment under vacuum. Inside and outside faces of said supporting material are provided with a suitable number of grooves. The entire surface of said supporting material is impregnated with a solution of sodium silicate, potassium silicate or ethyl silicate and subjected to baking.The supporting material has a high insulating capability and a high resistance to compression, thus it is applicable to square shaped tanks in addition to conventional spherical or cylindrical ones. The tank is easy to manufacture with increased storage capacity.

Abstract: A leak protection system on a tank for storing or transporting liquefied gas, having leak collection means which open out above a catch basin placed beneath the tank. The catch basin is of sufficiently large dimensions to permit the gradual evaporation of the leaked material, and is subdivided into a plurality of cells.

Abstract: A transport vessel especially used in connection with the transportation of liquid gases, e.g., natural gas, includes means for isolating storage tanks from the hull of the vessel to minimize the deformations to the tank from the hull. In this way, the thickness and hence weight of the tanks may be significantly reduced.

Abstract: A double-tank shipping container for general bulk liquid cargo, the container being constituted by a sea-going vessel having a single hull provided with a hold which defines the outer tank of the container and a prefabricated flexible bladder forming an inner tank received within the outer tank and readily removable therefrom. The inner tank has a configuration roughly conforming to the contours of the outer tank and yet capable of sustaining the liquid cargo in the event of a rupture in the outer tank, thereby to prevent spillage from the vessel and to avoid pollution of the seas.

Abstract: An upright tank of cylindrical or prismatic form has a sealed inner wall surrounded by insulation, and an outer casing. The bottom of the inner wall is formed from parallel strips of INVAR welded together at inturned flanged edges and is mounted in sliding relation to insulation beneath the bottom. The inner side wall is formed from parallel vertical bands of stainless steel with inwardly bent margins welded together and slidingly supported vertically to permit expansion and contraction. The inner side wall is joined to the inner bottom wall by a corner angle assembly including sheets and angles of INVAR supported by an annular beam. The annular beam includes straight beam sections supported at their ends by gussets which in turn are anchored to the exterior casing of the tank.

Abstract: A tank for holding liquefied gas and including a support in the form of a vertical skirt which forms a structural unity with the tank wall. The vertical skirt has an intermediate portion in the region between the transition to the tank wall and the foundation, said intermediate skirt portion being made of a material which has the properties of poor heat conductivity relative to that of the material comprising the tank wall and the portions of the skirt above and below it, and which has, a thermal expansion coefficient which lies between those coefficients for the other skirt portions, and the ability to withstand low temperatures, said intermediate skirt portion being thermally insulated. That intermediate skirt portion forms a thermal barrier or "temperature brake" between the top and bottom portions of the skirt.

Abstract: A double-walled container having spaced-apart inner and outer wall members enclosing a sealed insulation space, with at least a portion of the wall members being formed of a polymeric thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene and polychlortrifluoroethylene, uncoated with any permeation barrier coatings, so as to be gas permeable. A mass of pelletized adsorbent is disposed in the insulation space in thermal contact with the inner wall member. The introduction of cryogenic liquid to the container effects cooling of the inner wall member and adsorbent in thermal contact therewith, thereby causing increased adsorption of gas in the insulation space by the adsorbent for reduction of pressure therein and enhancement of the insulation quality of the insulation space.

Abstract: Prefabricated rigid insulating panels of great length, made of a fiberglass reinforced prestressed foam enclosed in a gas tight envelope and covered on their inner face by a folded metal membrane are glued directly to the cavity walls of the load bearing structure of a cryogenic tank by means of variable thickness adhesive mastic strips, which also separate channels for a gas circulation against the panels' back face. The beveled edge surfaces of adjacent panels are rigidly bonded under pressure. Panel handling, gluing operations, and membrane welding inside the closed space of a tank are done using telescopic towers fitted with four mobile arms, one of them supporting a worker-carrying bucket. Complete self standing inner tanks may also be assembled outside and inserted into the cavity of a vessel before it is covered over.