Thermally insulated vessel, especially for liquefied gases

Claim 1

An insulated vessel for the storage or transport of liquefied gas comprising: an inner axially elongated generally cylindrical receptacle receiving said liquefied gas; an outer axially elongated generally cylindrical receptacle spacedly surrounding said inner receptacle and substantially coaxial therewith, said receptacles defining between them an empty evacuatable space, said outer receptacle comprising at its ends a pair of opposing shell members, said outer receptacle having an intermediate tubular member sealingly connected to said shell members and disposed between the shell members, said intermediate member being corrugated over its length with the corrugations formed by annular alternating troughs and crests, said troughs and crests each lying in a respective plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said receptacles, said corrugations forming unitary stiffening formations of said intermediate member preventing radial expansion and contraction thereof but permitting elastic axial expansion and contraction of said intermediate member; and support elements rigidly connected to said inner receptacle engaging said shell members and supporting said outer receptacle on said inner receptacle.