Cryogenic vessel

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cryogenic vessel (300a, 300b) having an inner container (301), an outer container (302), an intermediate space (303) between the inner container (301) and the outer container (302) which can be evacuated, and having at least one fluid distribution container (200), which has an internal volume which extends proceeding from one wall of the inner container (301) into the intermediate space (303), is arranged at least partially within the intermediate space (303) and is fluidically connected to the inner container (301), wherein the internal volume of the fluid distribution container (200) is delimited by a wall which has openings (211, 212, 213) that are designed for the connection of one line (311, 312, 313) each or are each connected with one such line (311, 312, 313). The wall (121, 221) has a convex section (101, 201), wherein a wall thickness of the wall at at least one point is less than 90% of a wall thickness of the inner container (301). The invention also relates to a fluid distribution container (100, 200) and to a method for producing a cryogenic vessel (300a, 300b).

Claims

1. A cryogenic vessel (300a, 300b) comprising: an inner container (301) having a side wall, a first end wall, and a second end wall, where in the walls of the inner container define an internal space for the storage of fluid, an outer container (302), an intermediate space (303), which can be evacuated, between the inner container (301) and the outer container (302), and a fluid distribution container (100, 200), said fluid distribution container having an internal volume (120, 220) that, proceeding from an edge of a through-hole in the first end wall or the second end wall of the inner container (301), extends into the intermediate space (303), wherein the fluid distribution container is arranged at least partially within the intermediate space (303) and is fluidically connected to the inner container (301) by the through-hole through which fluid in the internal space of the inner container can flow into the fluid distribution container and fluid in fluid distribution container can flow into the internal space of the inner container, wherein the diameter of the fluid distribution container corresponds to the diameter of the through-hole in the first end wall or the second end wall of the inner container, and the fluid distribution container is welded to the edge of the through-hole, wherein the internal volume (120, 220) of the fluid distribution container is delimited by a further wall (121, 221) which extends from the first end wall or the second end wall and which has a plurality of openings (111, 112, 113, 211, 212, 213) that are each configured for the connection of a line (311, 312, 313) or are each connected to such a line (311, 312, 313), and the further wall (121, 221) has a convex section (101, 201) wherein the convex section (101, 201) is hemispherical (101), and wherein a wall thickness of the further wall (121, 221) at at least one point is less than 90% of a wall thickness of the inner container (301) and more than 10% of said wall thickness of the inner container (301).

2. The cryogenic vessel (300a, 300b) according to claim 1, wherein a center point (M) of one or more of the plurality of openings (111, 112, 113, 211, 212, 213) is arranged at a position deviating from a position of an apex (S) of the convex section (101, 201) of the further wall.

3. The cryogenic vessel (300a, 300b) according to claim 1, wherein a center point (M) of one or more of the plurality of openings (111, 112, 113, 211, 212, 213) is arranged between two planes intersecting the further wall (121, 221) in the convex section (101, 201) thereof and perpendicular to an axis (A-A) through an apex (S) of the convex section, or is arranged on a line which is an intersecting line between a sectional plane (E) and the further wall (121, 221), the sectional plane (E) being perpendicular to an axis (A-A) through the apex (S) of the convex section and intersecting the further wall (121, 221) in the convex section (101, 201).

4. The cryogenic vessel (300a, 300b) according to claim 1, wherein one or more lines (311, 312, 313) leading out of the outer container (302) are each individually connected to one of the plurality of openings (111, 112, 113, 211, 212, 213).

5. The cryogenic vessel (300a, 300b) according to claim 1, wherein the fluid distribution container (100, 200) is arranged completely in the intermediate space (303), which can be evacuated, between the inner container (301) and the outer container (302).

6. The cryogenic vessel (300a) according to claim 1, wherein the fluid distribution container (100) is connected to the inner container (301) at the convex section (101), or the fluid distribution container (100, 200) has a cylindrical section (102, 203) connected to the convex section (101, 201).

7. The cryogenic vessel (300a, 300b) according to claim 6, wherein the further wall of the fluid distribution container (100, 200), in a region connected to the inner container (301), has a wall thickness which is greater than in another region.

8. The cryogenic vessel (300a, 300b) according to claim 1, wherein said vessel has two of said fluid distribution containers (100, 200), wherein a first fluid distribution container (100, 200) is arranged at said first end wall of the inner container (301) and a second fluid distribution container (100, 200) is arranged at the second end wall of the inner container (301), which is opposite the first end wall.

9. The cryogenic vessel (300a, 300b) according to claim 1, wherein the further wall (120, 220) of the fluid distribution container (100, 200) has at least three openings (111, 112, 113, 211, 212, 213) for connecting a respective line (311, 312, 313).

10. The cryogenic vessel according to claim 9, wherein the further wall (120, 220) of the fluid distribution container (100, 200) has four openings for connecting a respective line (311, 312, 313).

11. The cryogenic vessel (300a, 300b) according to claim 1, configured to store the fluid (304) at a pressure of up to 40 bar.

12. The cryogenic vessel (300a, 300b) according to claim 1, wherein said vessel has a plurality of said fluid distribution containers (100, 200).

13. The cryogenic vessel according to claim 1, wherein a wall thickness of the further wall of the fluid distribution container in the convex section is, at least at one point, smaller than the wall thickness of the walls of the inner container in regions in which no fluid distribution container is located.

14. The cryogenic vessel according to claim 1, wherein a wall thickness of the further wall (121, 221) at at least one point is less than 60% of a wall thickness of the wall of the inner container (301) and more than 10% of the wall thickness of the inner container.

15. The cryogenic vessel according to claim 1, wherein the one or more fluid distribution containers has a greater wall thickness in a region thereof which is connected to the inner container than in another region of said one or more fluid distribution containers.

16. The cryogenic vessel (300a, 300b) according to claim 1, wherein said first end wall of said inner container (301) is a first upper end wall, and said second end wall of said inner container (301) is a second lower end wall.

17. A method for producing a cryogenic vessel (300a, 300b) according to claim 1, said method comprising: providing the inner container (301) with one or more of said through-holes wherein each through-hole is for connection of one or said one or more fluid distribution containers (100, 200), and attaching by welding one or more fluid distribution container (100, 200) to the one or more of said through-holes of said inner container.

18. A cryogenic vessel (300a, 300b) comprising: an inner container (301) having a cylindrical side wall and two end walls, wherein one of said end walls is a first end wall and the other of said end walls is a second end wall, an outer container (302), an intermediate space (303), which can be evacuated, between the inner container (301) and the outer container (302), and a fluid distribution container (100, 200) connected to the first end wall of the inner container or the second end wall of the inner container, said fluid distribution container having a container wall (121, 221) which delimits an internal volume (120, 220) that extends from an edge of a through-hole in the first end wall or the second end wall, into the intermediate space (303), wherein the fluid distribution container is arranged at least partially within the intermediate space (303) and is fluidically connected to the inner container (301) by the through-hole through which fluid in the internal space of the inner container can flow into the fluid distribution container and fluid in fluid distribution container can flow into the internal space of the inner container, wherein the diameter of the fluid distribution container corresponds to the diameter of the through-hole in the first end wall or the second end wall of the inner container, and the fluid distribution container is welded to the edge of the through-hole, wherein the container wall (121, 221) of said fluid distribution container has a plurality of openings (111, 112, 113, 211, 212, 213) that are each configured for connection of a line (311, 312, 313) or are each connected to such a line (311, 312, 313), and the container wall (121, 221) of said fluid distribution container has a convex section (101, 201) wherein the convex section (101, 201) is hemispherical (101), and wherein a wall thickness of the container wall (121, 221) at at least one point is less than 90% of a wall thickness of the end wall of the inner container to which the fluid distribution container is connected and more than 10% of the wall thickness of the end wall of the inner container.

19. The cryogenic vessel (300a, 300b) according to claim 18, wherein said vessel comprises more than one fluid distribution container (100, 200), wherein each fluid distribution container (100, 200) is welded to an edge of a through-hole in either the first end wall of the inner container or the second end wall of the inner container.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 schematically shows in its partial figures a preferred embodiment of a fluid distribution container according to the invention;

(2) FIG. 2 schematically shows in its partial figures a preferred embodiment of a fluid distribution container according to the invention; and

(3) FIG. 3 schematically shows in its partial figures preferred embodiments of cryogenic vessels with preferred embodiments of fluid distribution containers according to the invention.

(4) In FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of a fluid distribution container according to the invention is schematically illustrated, and denoted by 100. The fluid distribution container 100 is shown in partial FIG. 1a in a schematic front view, and, in partial FIG. 1b, in a schematic and further simplified cross-sectional view along the line or axis A-A shown in partial FIG. 1a. Partial FIG. 1c shows a schematic plan view of the fluid distribution container 100. Identical reference numbers in the figures designate identical or structurally identical elements.

(5) The fluid distribution container 100 has an internal volume 120 delimited by a wall 121. Furthermore, the fluid distribution container 100 has a convex section 101 and a cylindrical section 102 adjoining the convex section 101. The convex section 101 is hemispherical in this example. The following explanations relate to a hemispherically designed convex section 101, but also apply in the same way to a convex section 101 of a different design. The cylindrical section 102 may also be omitted, so that the fluid distribution container 100 may include only the convex section 101.

(6) In the convex section 101, the fluid distribution container 100 has three openings 111, 112, 113 in its wall 121, which, in the example shown, lie on a sectional plane of the hemisphere with a plane E or a corresponding intersection line, wherein the sectional plane is perpendicular to the section axis A-A, and the section axis A-A runs through an apex S of the hemispherical section 101. In this case, the section axis A-A, in particular, also represents an axis of symmetry of the convex section 101, with respect to which the convex section 101, optionally, with the exception of the openings 111, 112, 113, is radially symmetrically designed. The openings 111 and 112, as well as the openings 112 and 113 or axes passing through their center points M in each case form an angle α which equals 50° in the example shown.

(7) Thus, within the scope of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated here, the center points M of the openings 111, 112, 113 in the wall 121 of the fluid distribution container 100 are arranged on a common line corresponding to an intersecting line between a sectional plane E and the wall 121 of the fluid distribution container in the convex section 101, wherein the sectional plane E is perpendicular to the aforementioned axis A-A through the apex S and intersects the wall 121 of the fluid distribution container 100 in the convex section 101. The intersecting line is thus designed, in particular, so as to be radially symmetrical with respect to the axis A-A. However, as mentioned, within the scope of the invention, a different arrangement can also be provided in the convex section 101.

(8) The fluid distribution container 100 is configured to be connected to an inner container of a cryogenic vessel and to be brought into fluidic connection. In particular, for this purpose, an end 105 of the convex section 101 or also of the cylindrical section 102 can be connected to a wall of the inner container, and thus welded to the inner container. The diameter in the cylindrical section 102 is, in particular, constant and, expediently, corresponds to the diameter at the end of the convex section 101.

(9) The openings 111, 112, 113 in the wall 121 are configured, in particular, defined by connecting pieces, to each be connected to a line or pipeline for, for example, removing a fluid stored in the inner container and/or filling the inner container with a fluid.

(10) In particular, the end 105 of the convex section 101 or cylindrical section 102 may be connected to an opening in the wall of the inner container in order to provide a direct fluid connection between the internal volume 120 and the inner container. Alternatively or additionally, a line may also be connected to one of the openings 111, 112, 113, which line is also connected to the inner container, in order to establish an indirect fluid connection between the internal volume 120 and the inner container.

(11) FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a fluid distribution container 200 according to the invention, analogously to FIG. 1. The fluid distribution container 200 is shown in partial FIG. 2a in a schematic front view, in partial FIG. 2b, in a schematic cross-sectional view along the line B-B shown in FIG. 2a, and, in partial FIG. 2c, in a schematic plan view.

(12) The fluid distribution container 200 has an internal volume 220 delimited by a wall 221 and a convex, dome-shaped section 201, a brim section 202 formed thereon, and a cylindrical section 203 formed thereon.

(13) In the cylindrical section 203, the fluid distribution container 200 has three openings 211, 212, 213 in its wall 221, wherein the openings 211 and 212, as well as the openings 212 and 213, each form an angle β, which is, for example, 50°.

(14) Analogously to the openings 111, 112, 113, the openings 211, 212, 213 are also configured to be connected to a line or pipeline, e.g., for removing a fluid stored in an inner container of a cryogenic vessel, in particular, a pressure vessel which is referred to below, to which, however, the following explanations are not limited, and/or for filling the inner container with the fluid.

(15) The fluid distribution container 200 is further configured to be suitably connected and fluidly connected to such an inner container. In particular, for this purpose, one end 205 of the cylindrical section 203 may be connected to an opening in a wall of the inner container, and thus welded to the inner container. Alternatively or additionally, a line connected to the inner container may be connected to one of the openings 111, 112, 113.

(16) In FIG. 3, preferred embodiments of cryogenic vessels according to the invention are schematically represented in the partial FIGS. 3a and 3b and denoted by 300a and 300b, respectively.

(17) The cryogenic vessels 300a or 300b are each formed as vacuum-insulated, double wall containers, and each include an inner container 301, an outer container 302, and an intermediate space 303, which can be evacuated, between the inner container 301 and the outer container 302. An insulating material with a low thermal conductivity, e.g., perlite, can be arranged in each case in the intermediate space 303.

(18) The cryogenic vessels 300a or 300b are each provided, for example, for storing and transporting liquid gases 304. Liquid gas 304, e.g., liquid nitrogen (LIN), can be stored in the inner container 301 at a pressure of up to 40 bar. For filling the inner container 301 with the liquid gas 304 or for removing the liquid gas 304 from the inner container 301, the cryogenic vessels 300a and 300b each have two preferred embodiments of a fluid distribution container according to the invention.

(19) The cryogenic vessel 300a shown in FIG. 3a has two fluid distribution containers 100, as shown, for example, in FIG. 1. The cryogenic vessel 300b shown in FIG. 3b has two fluid distribution containers 200, as shown, for example, in FIG. 2.

(20) In the present example of FIG. 3a, a first fluid distribution container 100 is arranged at an upper end of the inner container 301, and a second fluid distribution container 100 at a lower end of the inner container 301. The fluid distribution containers 200 are each fluidically connected to the inner container 301. The fluid distribution containers 100, proceeding in each case from an opening 305 in a wall of the inner container 301, extend into the intermediate space 303 and are each arranged completely within the intermediate space 303. For this purpose, the fluid distribution containers 100 are, in particular, welded to the inner container 301, in particular, at the respective end 105 of the cylindrical section 103 or also directly at the end of the convex, hemispherical section 101. The diameters of the openings 305 correspond to the respective diameter of the end 105 of the cylindrical section 102 or of the convex, hemispherical section 101. The wall of the fluid distribution container 100 or its hemispherical section 101 has a smaller wall thickness, at least at one point, than the inner container 301.

(21) Connected to each of the openings 111, 112, 113 of the fluid distribution containers 100 is a line 311, 312, 313 leading out of the outer container 302 in each case through the intermediate space 303. Via these lines 311, 312, 313, the inner container 301 can be filled with the liquid gas 304, or the liquid gas 304 can be removed. A valve 321, 322, 323 is, expediently, provided in each of the lines 311, 312, 313.

(22) Similarly, in the example of FIG. 3b, a first fluid distribution container 200 is arranged at the upper end of the inner container 301, and a second fluid distribution container 200 is arranged at the lower end of the inner container 301, wherein the fluid distribution containers 200 are each fluidically connected to the inner container 301. The fluid distribution containers 200 are also, expediently, welded to the inner container 301, in particular at the respective end 205 of the cylindrical section 203. Expediently, the diameters of the openings 305 correspond to the respective diameter of the end 205 of the cylindrical section 203. With respect to the wall thicknesses, reference is explicitly made to the above explanations.

(23) Lines 311, 312, 313 are also connected to the openings 211, 212, 213 of the fluid distribution containers 200, each of which leads out of the outer container 302 through the intermediate space 303 and is provided for filling the inner container 301 with liquid gas 304 or for removing the liquid gas 304 from the inner container 301.

(24) It goes without saying that, for example, both a fluid distribution container 100 according to FIG. 1 and a fluid distribution container 200 according to FIG. 2 can also be used for the cryogenic vessel. For example, a fluid distribution container 100 according to FIG. 1 may be arranged at the upper end of the inner container 301, and a fluid distribution container 200 according to FIG. 2 at the lower end of the inner container 301, or vice versa.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

(25) 100 Fluid distribution container 101 Convex section, hemispherical section 102 Cylindrical section 105 End of cylindrical section 102 111 Connecting piece 112 Connecting piece 113 Connecting piece 120 Internal volume of the fluid distribution container 100 121 Wall of fluid distribution container 100 200 Fluid distribution container 201 Convex section, dome-shaped section 202 Brim section 203 Cylindrical section 205 End of cylindrical section 203 211 Connecting piece 212 Connecting piece 213 Connecting piece 220 Internal volume of the fluid distribution container 100 221 Wall of the fluid distribution container 100 300a Cryogenic vessel 300b Cryogenic vessel 301 Inner container 302 Outer container 303 Intermediate space which can be evacuated 305 Opening in the wall of the inner container 301 311 Line 312 Line 313 Line 321 Valve 322 Valve 323 Valve