US4496073A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cryogenic tank support system
Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
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Filing: 1983-02-24
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Granted: 1985-01-29
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Expires: 2003-02-24
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 David M. Silver
- 👤 Newman Dehaas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 02:41
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17C; F17C13/00; F17C13/08; F17C13/086; F17C2201/00; F17C2201/01; F17C2201/0104; F17C2201/0109; F17C2203/00; F17C2203/01; F17C2203/014; F17C2203/015; F17C2203/03; F17C2205/00; F17C2205/01; F17C2205/0153; F17C2205/0196; F17C2221/00; F17C2221/01; F17C2221/011; F17C2221/014; F17C2221/03; F17C2221/032; F17C2221/033; F17C2223/00; F17C2223/01; F17C2223/0146; F17C2223/0153; F17C2223/0161; F17C2223/03; F17C2223/033; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S220/00; Y10S220/901; Y10S220/918
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A support system for an internal mass at a first temperature comprising: an internal mass; a support tube with a longitudinal axis and a cross sectional area, surrounding the internal mass and attached thereto via a first area of contact; an external shell at a second temperature enclosing the support tube and attached thereto via a second area of contact which is positioned a predetermined distance along the support tube axis from the first area of contact such that a substantial temperature gradient exist through the support tube area between first and second areas of contact; wherein the support tube is dimensioned such that beam dynamics apply thereto; and the support system is a single-stage system dimensioned to not have a natural frequency below a predetermined frequency.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A support system for an internal mass at a first temperature comprising: an internal mass; a support tube with a longitudinal axis and a cross sectional area, surrounding the internal mass and attached thereto via a first area of contact; an external shell at a second temperature enclosing the support tube and attached thereto via a second area of contact which is positioned a predetermined distance along the support tube axis from the first area of contact such that a substantial temperature gradient exist through the support tube area between first and second areas of contact; wherein the support tube is dimensioned such that beam dynamics apply thereto; and the support system is a single-stage system dimensioned to not have a natural frequency below a predetermined frequency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A support system as defined in claim 1, the first area of contact comprising at least one internal attachment ring which encircles the internal mass and contacts the support tube and the second area of contact comprising at least one external attachment ring which encircles the support tube and contacts the external shell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
A support system as defined in claim 2, the at least one internal attachment ring comprising two internal attachment rings positioned along the internal mass and defining a first insulation section with the internal mass and support tube, and the at least one external attachment ring comprising two external attachment rings positioned along the support tube and defining a second insulation section with the support tube and external shell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
A support system as defined in claim 3, the support tube comprising first and second ends and a surface wall, wherein one of the two internal attachment rings is secured to the first end and the other of the two internal attachment rings is secured to the second end, and wherein the two external attachment rings are secured to the surface wall longitudinally between the two internal attachment rings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
A support system as defined in claim 3, the support tube comprising first and second ends and a surface wall, wherein one of the two external attachment rings is secured to the first end and the other of the two external attachment rings is secured to the second end, and wherein the two internal attachment rings are secured to the surface wall longitudinally between the two external attachment rings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
A support system as defined in claim 2, the support tube comprising at least two tubular sections, the at least one external attachment ring comprising two external attachment rings, wherein one of the at least two tubular sections is attached to one of the two external attachment rings and the at least one internal attachment ring, and the other of the two tubular sections is attached to the other of the two external attachment rings and the at least one internal attachment ring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
A support system as defined in claim 2, the support tube comprising at least two tubular sections, the at least one internal attachment ring comprising two internal attachment rings, wherein one of the at least two tubular sections is attached to one of the two internal attachment rings and the at least one external attachment ring, and the other of the two tubular sections is attached to the other of the two internal attachment rings and the at least one external attachment ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A support system as defined in claim 2, the at least one internal attachment ring comprising two internal attachment rings, the at least one external attachment ring positioned on the support tube longitudinally between the two internal attachment rings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A support system as defined in claim 2, the at least one external attachment ring comprising two external attachment rings, the at least one internal attachment ring positioned on the support tube longitudinally between the two external attachment rings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
164 words
A tank support system comprising the following elements: an internal storage tank; two internal attachment rings; a support tube with a longitudinal axis and a cross sectional area, surrounding the internal storage tank and connected thereto via the two internal attachment rings; a first insulation section defined by the internal storage tank, the two internal attachment rings and the support tube; at least one external attachment ring separated a distance along the support tube axis from an adjacent one of the two internal attachment rings such that a substantial temperature gradient exists through the support tube area between the at least one external attachment ring and the adjacent internal attachment ring; an external shell enclosing the support tube and connected thereto via the at least one external attachment ring; a second insulation section defined by the support tube and external shell; wherein the elements as connected provide a single-stage tank support system and the support tube is dimensioned such that beam dynamics apply thereto.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
164 words
A tank support system comprising the following elements: an internal storage tank; two internal attachment rings; a support tube with a longitudinal axis and a cross sectional area, surrounding the internal storage tank and connected thereto via the two internal attachment rings; a first insulation section defined by the internal storage tank, the two internal attachment rings and the support tube; at least one external attachment ring separated a distance along the support tube axis from an adjacent one of the two internal attachment rings such that a substantial temperature gradient exists through the support tube area between the at least one external attachment ring and the adjacent internal attachment ring; an external shell enclosing the support tube and connected thereto via the at least one external attachment ring; a second insulation section defined by the support tube and external shell; wherein the elements as connected provide a single-stage tank support system and the support tube is dimensioned such that beam dynamics apply thereto.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
A tank support system as defined in claim 10 the support tube comprising first and second ends and a surface wall, wherein one of the two internal attachment rings is secured to the first end and the other of the two internal attachment rings is secured to the second end, and wherein the at least one external attachment ring is secured to the surface wall longitudinally between the two internal attachment rings.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
84 words
A tank support system as defined in claim 10, the support tube comprising first and second ends and a surface wall, wherein the at least one external attachment ring comprises two external attachment rings and wherein one of the two external attachment rings is secured to the first end and the other of the two external attachment rings is secured to the second end, and wherein the two internal attachment rings are secured to the surface wall longitudinally between the two external attachment rings.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
71 words
A tank support system as defined in claim 10 the support tube comprising two support tube sections, wherein one of the two support tube sections is attached to one of the two internal attachment rings and the at least one external attachment ring, and the other of the two support tube sections is attached to the other of the two internal attachment rings and the at least one external attachment ring.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
84 words
A tank support system as defined in claim 13, the support tube comprising two support tube sections, the at least one external attachment ring comprising two external attachment rings, wherein one of the two support tube sections is attached to one of the two external attachment rings and one of the two internal attachment rings, and the other of the two support tube sections is attached to the other of the two external attachment rings and the other of the two internal attachment rings.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tank support system as defined in claim 11 comprising a cryogenic tank support system, each internal attachment ring comprising a cold attachment ring, and each external attachment ring comprising a hot attachment ring.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tank support system as defined in claim 12 comprising a cryogenic tank support system, each internal attachment ring comprising a cold attachment ring, and each external attachment ring comprising a hot attachment ring.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tank support system as defined in claim 13 comprising a cryogenic tank support system, each internal attachment ring comprising a cold attachment ring, and each external attachment ring comprising a hot attachment ring.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tank support system as defined in claim 14 comprising a cryogenic tank suppport system, each internal attachment ring comprising a cold attachment ring, and each external attachment ring comprising a hot attachment ring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2071728A
Cited
US3365092A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-01-29 | 1988-07-30 | 1989-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-29 | 1992-07-30 | 1993-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-29 | 1996-07-30 | 1997-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |