Abstract: A cryogenic storage tank having inner and outer storage vessels having spaced top, bottom, and upstanding side walls defining an annular insulating space therebetween. Granular insulating material is provided in the annular insulating space between the side walls, and a composite, resilient, insulating blanket, which remains elastically compressible at cryogenic temperatures and which has a flexible, high tensile strength facing on at least one side thereof, is likewise provided in the annular insulating space. The compressibility of the blanket compensates for dimensional changes in the annular insulating space, which would otherwise cause attrition of the granular insulating material, and the high tensile strength flexible facing on the blanket prevents local tearing or rupturing of the blanket when subjected to the vertical drag forces of the behavior of the granular material and due to the thermally induced changes in the dimensions of the annular insulating space.

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: A storage tank having an inner shell, an outer shell surrounding and spaced from the inner shell, a flexible main membrane between the inner shell and the outer shell, granular insulation between the inner shell and the membrane, and tension line means girding the membrane and pressing it into contact with the granular insulation. The tank can be spherical, cylindrical or other shape.