Abstract: A wall of a cryogenic propellant tank includes inner and outer skins supported parallel to, and at a distance from, one another to define between them a zone into which pressurized gas is introduced. The zone houses a reinforcing structure, such as honeycomb or corrugated material, to create a sandwich structure. The gas is introduced into the zone using conduits in the reinforcing structure. The gas preferably is an inert gas, most preferably helium.

Abstract: A shipping container with an outer shipping container shell and a support assembly for holding a dewar vessel within the outer shipping container shell and providing impact and vibration resistance to the dewar vessel. The dewar vessel has an inner vessel that holds a specimen chamber and plastic foam between its inner wall and the specimen chamber. The specimen chamber allows liquid cryogen to pass through it into the plastic foam, allows liquid cryogen in a vapor phase liquid state to pass from the plastic foam into it, and acts as a filter to prevent particles or fragments of the plastic foam from entering into it. The specimen chamber is an open-celled porous thermoplastic material that is cryogenically compatible such as an aerated polypropylene foam. The plastic foam is an open cell plastic foam such as a phenolic foam. The plastic foam can hold a normal charge of liquid cryogen in a dry vapor state regardless of the container's spatial orientation.

Abstract: A self-venting cap for a neck of a dewar vessel with a lower component having a first plurality of apertures, an upper component with a second plurality of apertures, a seal held between the lower and upper components, and a third component releasably secured to the upper component. The cap forms a compression seal about an inner circumference of the neck of a dewar vessel when the lower and upper components are matingly engaged in a sealing position, creating a plurality of tortuous vapor paths through the cap. When the cap is in the sealing position, a first chamber is formed between the lower and upper components and a second chamber and a vent opening are formed between the upper and third components. In this position, vapor inside the dewar vessel can travel in a plurality of tortuous paths beginning within the neck and then sequentially travelling up through the first plurality of apertures, the first chamber, the second plurality of apertures, the second chamber and then out the vent opening.

Abstract: The fuel tank assembly for an automobile comprises a substantially box-shaped bottom portion having a top peripheral flange; several highly porous filler packets or blocks made from metal foil mesh material received in the tank, each packet being formed from two to ten layers of metal foil mesh material, and some of said packets being folded over, thereby to substantially fill the tank with the highly porous packets or blocks, and a top tank cover plate sealed to the top peripheral flange.

Abstract: A cryostatic vessel 12 is radially interconnected inside a tubular thermal shield 18. A shield first endplate 20 includes a plurality of spacers 30 which are disposed in axial abutment with a corresponding first endplate 14 of the vessel during assembly. A shield second endplate 22 is disposed in axial abutment against an opposite end of the shield, and includes alignment holes 36 receiving corresponding alignment pins 32 extending from an opposite endplate 16 of the vessel. The spacers maintain a predetermined clearance between the endplates of the vessel and shield which clearance is precisely maintained upon fixedly joining both shield endplates to the shield.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage container, especially for cryogenic liquids, with an inside container (1) and an outside container (2), whereby an insulation space (3) is located between inside container (1) and outside container (2). To increase the stability of inside container (1) and/or outside container (2), at least one support (4, 10) is provided, which does not produce any heat-conducting connection between inside container (1) and outside container (2).

Abstract: A light weight fuel tank for a hydrogen powered airplane used as a platform for communication repeaters for communication services. An outer spherical shell member of a sandwich configuration surrounds an inner thin walled spherical shell member in which the liquid hydrogen is contained. A radial gap between the shell members is evacuated to a high vacuum. The facing surfaces of the shell members are coated with a low emissivity material. Electrical heaters are provided to control the evaporation rate of the hydrogen to match the fuel usage and to prevent icing during ascent and descent of the airplane.

Abstract: A sealed operator is provided for operating an internal locking control element for a closure head for the inner container in a dual container hazardous waste storage system. The operator includes a cylindrical housing in which a bushing/operator element assembly is mounted for translational movement. The latter assembly includes a cylindrical bushing sealingly mounted in the housing, a spherical bearing assembly including an annular outer bearing press fit within the bushing and an annular inner bearing. An operator element is press fit within the inner surface of the inner bearing. The operator element includes a driving head which engages the locking control element for the closure head of the inner container.

Abstract: A cryostatic vessel is radially interconnected inside a tubular thermal shield. A shield first endplate includes a plurality of spacers which are disposed in axial abutment with a corresponding first endplate of the vessel during assembly. A shield second endplate is disposed in axial abutment against an opposite end of the shield, and includes alignment holes receiving corresponding alignment pins extending from an opposite endplate of the vessel. The spacers maintain a predetermined clearance between the endplates of the vessel and shield which clearance is precisely maintained upon fixedly joining both shield endplates to the shield.