A load-decoupling attachment system is configured to secure to a primary structure. The load-decoupling attachment system includes one or more baffle tiers. One or more beams are coupled to the one or more baffle tiers. The one or more beams include a fore end and an aft end. A fore end coupling joint is configured to secure the fore end to a first portion of the primary structure. The fore end coupling joint includes a spherical bearing that allows the fore end to rotate in relation to the first portion of the primary structure. An aft end coupling joint is configured to secure the aft end to a second portion of the primary structure. The aft end coupling joint includes a slot that allows the aft end to linearly translate in relation to the second portion of the primary structure.

A composite storage tank may include a wall structure including at least three regions including an inner region, an outer region, and at least one permeation barrier. Another region may be optionally incorporated for venting potential permeation of fluids. The at least one permeation barrier and/or the venting layer may be strategically positioned between the inner region and the outer region to reduce or at least partially prevent fluid permeation of the inner region or the outer region. A vehicle may include such a composite storage tank. Methods of forming a composite fluid storage tank may include forming an inner composite region, applying a permeation barrier to an outer surface of the inner composite region, forming an outer composite region, and curing the inner composite region and the outer composite region with the permeation barrier to form the composite fluid storage tank.

A tank suitable for storing a product at a cryogenic temperature, including a fluid tight interior barrier, a fluid tight exterior barrier, surrounding the first interior barrier, an intermediary volume interposed between the interior and exterior barriers and at least one insulating layer positioned in the intermediary volume and including at least one thermal insulation mat, with very low thermal conductivity. The intermediary volume contains microspheres outside of the thermal insulation mats and has an enhanced level of vacuum. This solution makes it possible to maintain satisfactory performance in terms of thermal insulation even in the event of a loss of vacuum in the intermediary volume.

A storage system for storing a cryogenic medium, in particular, for storing hydrogen. The storage system includes storage container for receiving the cryogenic medium, at least one pipe projecting from outside the storage container into the storage container, and a shut-off valve in fluidic communication with the at least one pipe. The at least one pipe is closed at an end thereof facing away from the storage container and is open at another end thereof located in the storage container. The shut-off valve is moveable between an open operating state in which an inner space of the at least one pipe is in fluidic communication with an inner space of the storage container, and a closed operating state in which the inner space of the at least pipe is not in fluidic communication with the inner space of the storage container.

Disclosed herein is a structure that comprises a tank including an outer cylindrical surface and a domed end. The structure also comprises a tank skirt positioned circumferentially around the tank. A wall of the tank and a wall of the tank skirt form two sides of a y-joint between the tank and the tank skirt. The y-joint includes a wedge structure positioned between the tank and the tank skirt. Additionally, a thickness of at least one of the wall of the tank or the wall of the tank skirt forming the y-joint tapers such that the thickness of the at least one of the wall of the tank or the wall of the tank skirt that tapers has a greater thickness at the y-joint than away from the y-joint.

A diffuser is disclosed and includes a channel with an inner portion having an inlet and an outlet through which a gaseous substance enters and exits the diffuser, respectively. The inner portion includes a first conical section that has an increasing cross-sectional area, taken along a plane perpendicular to a central axis, in a first direction. The inner portion also includes a second conical section that has a decreasing cross-sectional area, taken along a plane perpendicular to the central axis, in the first direction. The second conical section is communicatively coupled with the first conical section. The outer portion includes a first annular section that has an increasing cross-sectional area, taken along a plane perpendicular to the central axis, in a second direction opposite the first direction. The diffuser further includes a plurality of orifices that communicatively couple the second conical section with the first annular section.

A hybrid softening strip for controlling stresses in a joint at low temperatures includes a layer of sacrificial material that can be tailored to fit the softening strip in the joint after the softening strip has been bonded to a structure.

A connection system for a cryogenic tank with a tank wall formed with a first material. A connector is provided for a component to be connected to the tank. The connector is formed with a second material, and the connector is positioned on an exterior side of the tank and essentially congruent with a passage opening of the tank wall. At least one sealing element is provided, and the first and the second material have different thermal expansion coefficients. A counterpart formed with the second material is positioned on an interior side of the tank, and is connected with the connector via at least two fastening elements, such that the tank wall is clamped between the counterpart, the connector and the at least one sealing element, and a slight displaceability of the connector and the counterpart parallel to the tank wall remains to compensate for thermally induced mechanical stresses.

A storage system for storing a cryogenic medium. The storage system includes a storage container operable to receive the cryogenic medium; a first removal line forming a fluid-conducting connection from an interior of the storage container to a first consumer connection for connecting a consumer device that uses the cryogenic medium; a first controllable line shut-off valve arranged in the first removal line; a first heat exchanger arranged in the first removal line; a second removal line, redundant to the first removal line, forming a second fluid-conducting connection from the interior of the storage container to a second consumer connection for connecting the consumer device; a second controllable line shut-off valve, redundant to the first controllable line shut-off valve, arranged in the second removal line; and a second heat exchanger, redundant to the first heat exchanger, arranged in the second removal line.

The invention relates to a container for holding and storing liquids and viscous materials, in particular cryogenic fluids, comprising a jacket (12), which defines the interior (14) of the container (10) having a chamber (16), said container (10) being constituted of at least two container structures (20, 20′, 20″) and each of said at least two container structures (20, 20′, 20″) being formed as one piece from a blank (32) and having a dome portion (22), a branching portion (24), which is contiguous to the dome portion (22), and two cylinder portions (26, 28; 26′, 28′), which are contiguous to the branching portion (24), and the mutually facing container structures (20, 20; 20′, 20″) which are adjacent to each other being joined together.