Unconstrained rotational movement of an inner vessel with respect to an outer vessel at one end of a cryogenic storage vessel increases stress in supports at an opposite end. A storage vessel for holding a cryogenic fluid comprises an inner vessel defining a cryogen space and having a longitudinal axis, and an outer vessel spaced apart from and surrounding the inner vessel, defining a thermally insulating space between the inner and outer vessels. A structure for supporting the inner vessel within the outer vessel at one end comprises an inner vessel support bracket connected with the inner vessel, an outer vessel support bracket connected with the outer vessel, and an elongated support extending between and mutually engaging the inner and outer support brackets to constrain radial and rotational movement of the inner vessel with respect to the outer vessel and to allow axial movement of the inner vessel with respect to the outer vessel along the longitudinal axis.

A support structure of a ship tank includes: a curved surface facing an outer peripheral surface of a horizontal type cylindrical tank; and a pair of support units supporting the tank on the curved surface. Each of the support units includes: a plurality of cylindrical elements arranged in a circumferential direction of the tank such that an axial direction of each of the cylindrical elements coincides with a radial direction of the tank; a plurality of inner members each holding an end portion of a corresponding one of the cylindrical elements at the tank side; and a plurality of outer members each holding an end portion of a corresponding one of the cylindrical elements at an opposite side to the tank. The inner members are fixed to the tank. The outer members of one of the support units are configured such that displacement of the outer members in an axial direction of the tank relative to the curved surface is restricted. The outer members of the other one of the support units are configured to be slidable on the curved surface in the axial direction of the tank.

A storage unit comprises an internal reservoir inwardly delimiting a cryogenic fluid storage volume, an external reservoir housing the internal reservoir and a suspension attaching the internal reservoir to the external reservoir. The suspension has a connection which comprises an outer tube, a bottom plate, an inner tube arranged inside the outer tube, and a movement limiter. The outer tube has an outer proximal end attached to the internal reservoir and an outer distal end located inside the storage volume The bottom plate closes the outer distal end. The inner tube has an inner proximal end connected to the external reservoir and an inner distal end attached to the internal reservoir. The movement limiter limits deflection of the inner tube relative to the internal reservoir in a plane perpendicular to a central axis of the inner tube.

A fluid storage container includes an inner vessel part having a first interior space (S1) for storing a fluid, an outer vessel part having a second interior space (S2) that accommodates the inner vessel part and spaced apart from the inner vessel part outwards, and a suspension part provided between the inner vessel part and the outer vessel part, one side of which contacts the inner vessel part, and an opposite side of which contacts the outer vessel part. The suspension part includes an inner member, one end of which is coupled to the inner vessel part and which extends from the one end thereof outwards, and an outer member, one end of which is coupled to the outer vessel part, which extends from the one side thereof inwards, and coupled to the inner member. The outer member is formed of a material having a thermal conductivity that is lower than that of the inner member.

A tank system includes a vacuum tank having a vacuum tank skin, and a pressure tank mounted within the vacuum tank having one or more pressure tank skin segments having a total circumference that is less than that of a complete circle, resulting in one or more longitudinal gaps respectively between the one or more pressure tank skin segments. The tank system includes one or more gap control mechanisms configured to control a width of the one or more longitudinal gaps in a manner facilitating movement of the one or more pressure tank skin segments between at least the following positions: a retracted position in which there is a radial gap between each pressure tank skin segment and the vacuum tank skin, and a fully extended position in which at least a portion of each pressure tank skin segments is in contact with the vacuum tank skin.

The invention relates to an insulated chamber comprising at least one element that may operate at sub-ambient temperature, the space around the element(s) being filled with solid insulation and means for injecting a gas containing at least 95 mol-% nitrogen into the insulation, at least some of the gas-injection means opening at a position vertically above at least one element to insulate.

A double-walled tank comprising at least one connection system connecting the outer and inner enclosures and enabling them to move in relation to one another in at least a longitudinal direction parallel to an axis of displacement when in operation. The connection system has an annular linear connection between a first contact surface rigidly connected to the outer enclosure and a second contact surface rigidly connected the inner enclosure, the first and second contact surfaces arranged opposite one another and configured to be in contact with one another along a contact circle that has a center positioned on the axis of displacement.

The storage unit comprises an internal reservoir, an external reservoir, and a suspension suspending the internal reservoir from the external reservoir; The suspension comprises a link that includes a cuff made of a composite material with a central axis, a proximal link of a proximal axial end of the cuff to the internal reservoir; and a distal link of a distal axial end of the cuff to the external reservoir. The proximal link comprises a body closing the proximal axial end of the cuff, the body having an external surface defining an external tapered bearing surface coaxial with the central axis and engaged inside the proximal axial end. The proximal link further comprises a ring connected to the internal reservoir, the ring having an internal surface defining an internal tapered bearing surface coaxial with the central axis and surrounding the proximal axial end, the proximal axial end of the cuff is clamped between the external tapered bearing surface and the internal tapered bearing surface.