US3695050A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid propellant storage tank
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1970-05-14
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Granted: 1972-10-03
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Expires: 1990-05-14
Abstract
Abstract A multi-layer insulated tank for storing a liquid propellant. A tank is coated with a low thermal conductive gas expanded foam. The foam coated tank is encased in a plastic bag and is maintained under a low thermal conductive gas until just before the tank is charged with the liquid propellant. Just prior to charging the tank with cryogen, the low thermal conductive gas is replaced by helium or nitrogen depending upon the cryogen to prevent condensation of water vapor and/or purge gas on the outer surface of the tank.
Inventors
- 👤 George H Bancroft
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 02:24
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17C; F17C3/00; F17C3/02; F17C3/10; F17C3/04; F17C2203/00; F17C2203/03; F17C2203/0304; F17C2203/0308; F17C2203/032; F17C2203/0329; F17C2203/0333; F17C2203/0375; F17C2203/0379; F17C2203/0391; F17C2203/06; F17C2203/068; F17C2203/0685; F17C2221/00; F17C2221/01; F17C2221/011; F17C2221/012; F17C2221/014; F17C2221/03; F17C2221/032; F17C2221/033; F17C2223/00; F17C2223/01; F17C2223/0146; F17C2223/0153; F17C2223/0161; F17C2223/03; F17C2223/033; F17C2227/00; F17C2227/04; F17C2227/044; F17C2260/00; F17C2260/01; F17C2260/012; F17C2270/00; F17C2270/01; F17C2270/0186; F17C2270/0194; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/32; Y10; Y10S; Y10S220/00; Y10S220/901; Y10S220/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A storage unit, as recited in claim 1, wherein said evacuating means purges said control chamber of said low thermal conductive gas and said control means regulates the flow of helium to said control chamber in response to an operator signal for preventing condensation of the low thermal conductivity gas and water vapor on the outer surface of said vessel during charging of said vessel with said liquid propellant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
A storage unit, as recited in claim 2, including: a reflective metallic material plated on a backing member to form a radiation shield, said radiation shield being wrapped on the outer surface of said foam insulating member for reducing the transfer of heat to said vessel by radiation from an environmental source.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of reducing the transfer of heat between and external surface of a cryogenic storage tank and the environment, comprising the steps of: coating said external surface with a FREON expanded polyurethane foam; surrounding said surface with a membrance to form a control chamber therein; purging said control chamber of air; introducing a gas into said control chamber having a relatively low thermal conductivity and relatively high liquidus and solidus temperatures as compared to those of air for insulating said cryogenic storage tank; wrapping said external surface of said layer of foam on the external surface of said storage tank with a reflective metAllic material applied to a backing member to form an initial radiation shield; and changing said gas to helium gas prior to charging said storage tank with a cryogen for preventing condensation of the said low thermal conductivity gas and water vapor on the outside of said storage tank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a cryogenic storage system, means for reducing the transfer of heat to the external surface of a storage tank, comprising: a foam coating of FREON expanded polyurethane secured to the external surface of said storage tank; a flexible membrance surrounding said coating having an inlet port and an outlet port, said flexible membrane and coating forming a control chamber therebetween; and purging means operatively connected to said inlet port and said outlet port for removing air from said control chamber and for introducing a gas to said control chamber having a relatively low thermal conductivity as compared to that of air and having high liquidus and solidus temperatures relative to the usual cryogens for maintaining said FREON expanded polyurethane in an inert condition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
In a cryogenic storage system, as defined in claim 5, wherein purging means replaces said gas in said control chamber with helium prior to charging said storage tank with cryogen for preventing consensation of water vapor or purge gas on the outside of said storage tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
In a cryogenic storage system, as defined in claim 6, including: a reflective metallic material located on said external surface of the said foam coating to form an inner radiation shield.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
In a cryogenic storage system, as defined in claim 7, including: a multi-layer insulation shield located on the outside of said foam coating to form an outer radiation shield around said storage tank.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-03 | 1976-04-03 | 1976-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-03 | 1980-04-03 | 1980-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-03 | 1984-04-03 | 1984-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |