CRYOGENIC FLUID PRESSURE VESSEL AND AIRCRAFT

Abstract

A cryogenic fluid pressure vessel for an aircraft, having: a first wall layer, which contains carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, having an inner contact surface for the contact with a pressurized cryogenic fluid to be accommodated inside the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel; a second wall layer, which is arranged on an outer surface of the first wall layer and has a thermal barrier; a closable inlet/outlet opening for cryogenic fluid, which extends through the first and the second wall layer; and a structural insert integrated in the first and the second wall layer, which has a fastening connecting piece located on the outside of the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel for mechanically coupling the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel with external structures; wherein the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel forms an essentially cylindrical main body. Furthermore, the present invention provides an aircraft having such a cryogenic fluid pressure vessel.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A cryogenic fluid pressure vessel for an aircraft, comprising: a first wall layer, which contains carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, having an inner contact surface for contact with a pressurized cryogenic fluid to be accommodated inside the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel; a second wall layer, which is arranged on an outer surface of the first wall layer and has a thermal barrier; a closable inlet/outlet opening for cryogenic fluid, which extends through the first and the second wall layer; and a structural insert integrated in the first and the second wall layer, which has a fastening connecting piece located on the outside of the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel for mechanically coupling the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel with external structures; wherein the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel forms an essentially cylindrical main body.

17. The cryogenic fluid pressure vessel as claimed in claim 16 wherein the thermal barrier has a cooling device, which is configured as a pipeline system for conveying refrigerants, so that a refrigerant flowing through the pipeline system causes convective cooling of a cryogenic fluid accommodated in the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel.

18. The cryogenic fluid pressure vessel as claimed in claim 16, wherein the thermal barrier has an insulating device, which is configured as a sandwich structure having a vacuum in a fluidically sealed sandwich core, having a foam core, or having an inert gas filling in the fluidically sealed sandwich core for thermal insulation between a cryogenic fluid accommodated inside the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel and an area surrounding the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel.

19. The cryogenic fluid pressure vessel as claimed in claim 16, wherein the fastening connecting piece is arranged on a lateral surface of the essentially cylindrical cryogenic fluid pressure vessel.

20. The cryogenic fluid pressure vessel as claimed in claim 16, wherein the structural insert is integrated in a formfitting manner in the first wall layer by overlaps of the carbon fiber-reinforced plastic.

21. The cryogenic fluid pressure vessel as claimed in claim 20, wherein the first wall layer has a thicker wall layer thickness in a region in which it overlaps the structural insert than in regions not provided with the structural insert.

22. The cryogenic fluid pressure vessel as claimed in claim 16, wherein the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel is configured to withstand a pressure of 350 to 750 bar applied to a cryogenic fluid accommodated inside the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel.

23. The cryogenic fluid pressure vessel as claimed in claim 16, wherein a lateral surface of the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel is formed at least one of elliptical in cross section or conical in longitudinal section.

24. The cryogenic fluid pressure vessel as claimed in claim 16, wherein the fastening connecting piece of the structural insert has an internal thread, an eye, a bayonet fitting, or a material which can be welded or adhesively bonded on the outside.

25. An aircraft comprising: a cryogenic fluid pressure vessel as claimed in claim 16; and an outer shell, which encloses the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel in sections, wherein the outer shell and the fastening connecting piece of the structural insert of the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel are coupled by a fastening means.

26. The aircraft as claimed in claim 25, wherein the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel is positioned in a central region of the aircraft with respect to a transverse axis of the aircraft.

27. The aircraft as claimed in claim 25, wherein material inlays having aramids to increase an energy absorption capacity are arranged in sections on the outer shell.

28. The aircraft as claimed in claim 25, wherein the material inlays are arranged in a central region.

29. The aircraft as claimed in claim 25, furthermore having a first and a second payload fuselage section for accommodating freight and/or persons, which are enclosed by the outer shell, wherein the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel is positioned at least in regions with respect to a transverse axis of the aircraft between the first and the second payload fuselage section.

30. The aircraft as claimed in claim 29, wherein the first and the second payload fuselage section each extend longitudinally and are aligned in their longitudinal extension at an angle to one another.

31. The aircraft as claimed in claim 30, wherein the first and second payload section are aligned in a V-shape, an intersection point of which corresponds to a nose of the aircraft.

32. The aircraft as claimed in claim 25, wherein the outside of the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel, viewed in a vertical axis of the aircraft, corresponds on two opposing sections of a lateral surface of the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel to a contour of the outer shell, so that the two opposing sections each have a double-walled structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The present invention is explained in more detail hereinafter on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the appended figures of the drawings. In the figures:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a cryogenic fluid pressure vessel having four exemplary structural inserts, which are each shown in a breakout view, according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a schematic rear view in section of an aircraft having a cryogenic fluid pressure vessel, which is positioned between a first and a second payload fuselage section, according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a schematic detail view of a detail of the aircraft according to FIG. 2, wherein a mechanical coupling of the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel to an outer shell of the aircraft is illustrated as an example;

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a schematic top view of an aircraft having a cryogenic fluid pressure vessel according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0031] In the figures of the drawing, identical, functionally identical, and identically acting elements, features, and components—if not indicated otherwise—are each provided with the same reference sign.

[0032] Although in the present case specific embodiments and refinements are illustrated and described, a person skilled in the art will prefer that a plurality of alternative and/or equivalent embodiments can replace the illustrated and described specific exemplary embodiments without deviating from the scope of the present invention. This application is in general to cover all modifications or changes of the specific exemplary embodiments described herein.

[0033] The appended figures are to provide further understanding of embodiments of the invention and are used in conjunction with the description to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other exemplary embodiments and many of the mentioned advantages result with regard to the drawings. The drawings are to be understood solely as schematic drawings and elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale in relation to one another. Direction-specifying terminology such as “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “above”, “below”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “front”, “rear”, and similar specifications are used solely for explanatory purposes and do not serve to restrict the generality to specific embodiments as shown in the figures.

[0034] A payload fuselage section in the meaning of the present application comprises any volume in the interior of an aircraft enclosed by a fuselage shell, which can be used to accommodate and transport payload of the aircraft. Payload of an aircraft can be, on the one hand, air passengers or passengers, on the other hand, cargo or freight. Aircraft to be used commercially have such a payload region in the interior of the aircraft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 having four exemplary structural inserts 8, which are each shown in a breakout view, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0036] The cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 comprises a first wall layer 2, which contains, for example, carbon fiber-reinforced plastic. The first wall layer 2 can optionally also contain glass fiber-reinforced plastic, light metals, ceramics, or alloys. The first wall layer has an inner contact surface 3 for the contact with a pressurized cryogenic fluid to be accommodated inside the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1. During the production of the first wall layer 2, the so-called winding technology was applied, in which endless carbon fibers are impregnated by machine in a resin bath and deposited by CNC-controlled machines on a rotating tool mandrel. Other production methods are conceivable for the first wall layer 2 depending on the material used. For example, a steel square end block heated to forging temperature can be preformed in an upsetting press and then receive the shape of a hollow cylinder open on one side in a piercing press by backward extrusion. Subsequently, rollers press the hollow cylinder open on one side from the outside and initially also from the inside for tapering in order to create the bottleneck.

[0037] Furthermore, the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 comprises a second wall layer 5, which is arranged on an outer surface 4 of the first wall layer 2. The second wall layer 5 moreover has a thermal barrier 6. The thermal barrier 6 decreases an equalization of the temperature of the cryogenic fluid inside the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 to the ambient temperature. For this purpose, the thermal barrier 6 has a temperature conductivity, for example, of less than 0.01 W/mK. Alternatively or additionally, the thermal barrier 6 can actively withdraw thermal energy from the cryogenic fluid.

[0038] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 also has a closable inlet/outlet opening 7 for cryogenic fluid. The inlet/outlet opening 7 extends through the first and the second wall layer. It is used to be able to fill the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 or remove fluid contained therein and can be provided with a closable valve. The inlet/outlet opening 7 can be designed, for example, like a standard fitting for hydrogen.

[0039] In addition, the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 contains a structural insert 8 integrated in the first and the second wall layer 2, 5. The structural insert 8 is, in particular, permanently connected to the first wall layer 2. This structural insert 8 has a fastening connecting piece 9 located on the outside 10 of the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 for mechanically coupling the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 to external structures. The fastening connecting piece 9 of the structural insert 8 optionally has an internal thread, an eye, a bayonet fitting, or a material which can be welded or adhesively bonded on the outside 10. This means that the fastening connecting piece 9 is either arranged flush with the outside 10 on the same level or protrudes outward beyond the outside 10. Accordingly, the fastening connecting piece 9 can be accessed or coupled from the outside with complementary fastening means and/or external structures.

[0040] Furthermore, the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 forms an essentially cylindrical main body. The main body of the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 is formed cylindrical, by way of example, in FIG. 1. The closable inlet/outlet opening 7 is arranged, by way of example, on one of the end faces.

[0041] Furthermore, the fastening connecting piece 9 is arranged, for example, on the lateral surface of the essentially cylindrical cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1. Additionally or alternatively, the arrangement of the fastening connecting piece 9 or the structural insert 8 on the end face of the essentially cylindrical cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 is also conceivable, for example on the same end face as the closable inlet/outlet opening 7, on the opposing end face, or on both end faces.

[0042] FIG. 2 shows a schematic rear view in section of an aircraft 100 having a cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1, which is positioned between a first and a second payload fuselage section 105A, 105B, according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. The aircraft 100 comprises a cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1, which essentially corresponds to the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 according to FIG. 1.

[0043] The lateral surface of the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 shown is formed essentially elliptical in cross section. The lateral surface can optionally also be formed circular, polygonal, or as a combination of the mentioned shapes in cross section. This includes, for example, geometrical shapes which alternately have straight and curved sections, such as an octagon having rounded corners or an oval having flattened sections.

[0044] In addition, the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 is positioned in this exemplary embodiment in a central region 103 of the aircraft 100 with respect to a transverse axis of the aircraft 100. In particular, the geometrical and/or mass center of gravity of the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 with respect to the transverse axis of the aircraft 100 corresponds to the mass center of gravity of the aircraft 100. The central region 103 preferably extends axially symmetrically along the transverse axis starting from the longitudinal axis of the aircraft 100, but can also extend asymmetrically starting from the longitudinal axis of the aircraft 100 along the transverse axis.

[0045] Furthermore, the aircraft 100 has an outer shell 101, which encloses the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 in sections. In particular, the outer shell 101 encloses the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 from the front, above, below, and on both sides viewed in the fight direction of the aircraft 100. The outer shell 101 and the fastening connecting piece 9 of the structural insert 8 of the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 can be coupled by a fastening means.

[0046] In addition, material inlays 104 having aramids are arranged in sections on the outer shell 101 in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2. Alternatively or additionally, the material inlays 104 can contain other materials and/or textiles, which are capable of protecting the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 from perforation by foreign objects, for example, by objects which are swirled around/floating above the runway during takeoff or by projectiles in the event of a terroristic attack. The material inlays 104 having aramids are arranged in sections, in particular, in the central region 103 of the aircraft 100 with respect to the transverse axis of the aircraft 100. In this way, inner regions of the aircraft 100 and in particular the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 are better protected in the event of bullets, bodies, or the like impacting the outer shell 101. In particular, para-aramid fibers have a high energy absorption capacity and are therefore typically used, inter alia, in armors for vehicles or in bulletproof vests. At the same time, aramids are very temperature resistant.

[0047] In FIG. 2, the aircraft 100 furthermore has a first and a second payload fuselage section 105A, 105B for accommodating freight and/or persons, which are enclosed by the outer shell 101. That is to say, the outer shell 101 encloses both the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 and also the two payload fuselage sections 105A, 105B. The first and the second payload fuselage section 105A, 105B each contain, as shown, payload fuselage section walls which enclose the payload fuselage sections. Therefore, pressurized cabins for passengers can be created in the payload fuselage sections, for example, wherein the first and the second payload fuselage section 105A, 105B each have a pressurized cabin separate from the other payload fuselage section or a shared pressurized cabin. Alternatively or additionally, the first and/or the second payload fuselage section can provide at least two regions in which a different pressure level prevails. One of the two regions could thus be provided for cargo and have a lower pressure level in comparison to the pressurized cabin for passengers.

[0048] For example, the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 is positioned at least in regions with respect to the transverse axis of the aircraft 100 between the first and the second payload fuselage section 105A, 105B. In particular, the first and the second payload fuselage section 105A, 105B have comparable dimensions, so that this arrangement assists an axially symmetrical weight distribution of the aircraft 100 with respect to its longitudinal axis.

[0049] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the aircraft 100, the outside 10 of the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 corresponds, viewed in the vertical axis of the aircraft 100, on two opposing sections of the lateral surface of the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 to the contour of the outer shell 101, so that the two opposing sections each have a double-walled structure. The bending and/or torsional stiffness of the aircraft 100 can thus be increased in that the outer shell 101 and the outside 10 of the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 mutually support one another. In particular, the outside 10 of the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 and the contour of the outer shell 101 support one another in the central region 103. This combination of two wall structures can increase the structural rigidity of the aircraft 100. If the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 has a geometry similar to an ellipse in cross section, the wall thickness of the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 and/or the outer shell 101 can be reduced, by which a weight reduction is caused. Alternatively or additionally, the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 can moreover be coupled to the first and/or the second payload fuselage section 105A, 105B. The payload fuselage section wall can be connected by a fastening means installed thereon to the fastening connecting piece 9 of the structural insert 8. The bending and/or torsional rigidity of the aircraft 100 can thus be increased. The cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 is thus also used to reinforce the aircraft structure in the fuselage sections, while the structure of the wings of the aircraft 100 does not receive any reinforcement by the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1. A certain flexibility for optimum aerodynamics is thus provided to the wings. The transition between wingtip and fuselage section optionally contains reinforcing elements 106, such as spars, ribs, or the like.

[0050] FIG. 3 shows a schematic detail view of a detail of the aircraft 100 according to FIG. 2, wherein a mechanical coupling of the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 to an outer shell 101 of the aircraft 100 is illustrated by way of example.

[0051] According to this exemplary embodiment, the thermal barrier 6 has a cooling device 6A, which is designed as a pipeline system for conveying refrigerants. A refrigerant flowing through the pipeline system thus causes convective cooling of a cryogenic fluid accommodated in the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1. Refrigerants transport enthalpy, that is to say, thermal energy, from the cooled material to the surroundings. According to DIN EN 378-1 section 3.7.1, the refrigerant is defined as a “fluid, which is used for heat transfer in a refrigerating system, and which absorbs heat at low temperature and low pressure and emits heat at higher temperature and higher pressure, wherein typically state changes of the fluid take place.” Suitable refrigerants are, for example, ammonia, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, or halogenated hydrocarbons. The pipeline system can be fluidically connected, for example, to a refrigerator (not shown). The pipeline system comprises by way of example stainless steel, aluminum, plastic, composite materials, or metal alloys. Pipes of the pipeline system can be aligned, for example, essentially radially around the lateral surface of the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 in a spiral.

[0052] Alternatively or additionally, the thermal barrier 6 has an insulating device 6B, which is designed as a sandwich structure having a vacuum in a fluidically sealed sandwich core, having a foam core or having an inert gas filling in the fluidically sealed sandwich core for thermal insulation between a cryogenic fluid accommodated inside the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 and the surroundings. A combination of cooling device 6A and insulating device 6B is shown by way of example in FIG. 3. The cooling device 6A is arranged inside the second wall layer 5 on the outer surface 4 of the first wall layer 2, while the insulating device 6B is arranged inside the second wall layer 5 on the outside 10. The sandwich structure contains, for example, a sandwich core as an intermediate space which has foam. The sandwich core is alternatively, for example, a cavity fluidically sealed by walls, which is filled with inert gas, for example argon or krypton, or contains a vacuum.

[0053] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3, the structural insert 8 is integrated, for example, in the first wall layer 2 in a formfitting manner by overlaps of the carbon fiber-reinforced plastic. The fastening connecting piece 9 has an internal thread here by way of example. Via a fastening means 102 in the form of a screw, the outer shell 101 and the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 are mechanically coupled with one another. The screw can support itself by way of its screw head on the outer shell 101. In addition, a spacer 107 is provided here by way of example between the outer shell 101 and the fastening connecting piece 9. The spacer 107 encloses the fastening means 102 at least in sections and prevents the contact between the outer shell 101 and the fastening connecting piece 9. To damp vibration transmissions and/or absorb shocks, the spacer 107 can have, for example, plastics, laminate plates, foams, or combinations thereof.

[0054] Furthermore, the first wall layer 2 in FIG. 3 has a thicker wall layer thickness in the region in which it overlaps the structural insert 8 than in regions not provided with the structural insert 8.

[0055] FIG. 4 shows a schematic top view of an aircraft 100 having a cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0056] The aircraft 100 according to FIG. 4 is shown by way of example as an airplane. In particular, the aircraft 100 is shown as a so-called flying wing 100, which has a flowing transition between fuselage and wings. The flying wing has a larger fuselage volume at comparable structural size in comparison to conventional cylindrical airplane fuselages.

[0057] In this exemplary embodiment, the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 can withstand a pressure of 350 to 750 bar of the cryogenic fluid to be accommodated therein. Alternatively or additionally, the lateral surface of the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 is formed conical in longitudinal section. The cone widens against the flight direction here, for example, so that the installation space in the rear can be better utilized or the mass center of gravity of the flying wing is displaced further in the direction of the rear.

[0058] In addition, the first and the second payload fuselage section 105A, 105B each extend longitudinally and are aligned in their longitudinal extension at an angle θ to one another, the intersection point of which corresponds to the nose of the aircraft. The two payload fuselage sections 105A, 105B span a plane here which is parallel to the plane of the wings. The angle θ is provided in particular in such a way that the two payload fuselage sections 105A, 105B are aligned V-shaped, i.e., in an angle range of 10° to 85° to one another, in particular in an angle range of 25° to 70° to one another.

[0059] A space 108 between the payload fuselage sections 105A, 105B and the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel 1 can advantageously have electrical systems and/or drive systems. This space 108 can optionally furthermore contain freight or cargo. The space 108 can have the same or a lower pressure level in its interior here than the interior of the payload fuselage sections 105A, 105B.

[0060] Furthermore, the flying wing 100 can have windows at the front wing edge. Passengers who are located in the payload fuselage sections 105A, 105B can thus look out of the flying wing.

[0061] The aircraft 100 according to the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 4 also enables shorter conveying paths of the fluid from the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel to the drive system in the rear of the aircraft in comparison to airplanes having conventional fuselage-wing arrangement, in which the tanks are generally arranged in the wings. Weight can thus be saved by shortened conveying lines. Moreover, the temperature of the cryogenic fluid equalizes less to the ambient temperature during the conveyance through the conveying lines due to the shorter conveying path.

[0062] In the preceding detailed description, various features have been summarized in one or more examples to improve the stringency of the description. However, it is to be clear here that the above description is solely of an illustrative, but not of a restrictive nature. It serves to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents of the various features and exemplary embodiments. Many other examples will be immediately and directly clear to a person skilled in the art on the basis of his technical knowledge in consideration of the above description.

[0063] The exemplary embodiments were selected and described to be able to represent the underlying principles of the invention and their possible applications in practice in the best possible manner Persons skilled in the art can thus optimally modify and use the invention and its various exemplary embodiments with respect to the intended purpose. In the claims and the description, the terms “including” and “having” are used as neutral terms for the corresponding term “comprising”. Furthermore, a use of the terms “a”, “an”, and “one” is not in principle to exclude a plurality of features and components described in this way.

[0064] While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms “comprise” or “comprising” do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms “a” or “one” do not exclude a plural number, and the term “or” means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0065] 1 cryogenic fluid pressure vessel [0066] 2 first wall layer [0067] 3 inner contact surface [0068] 4 outer surface [0069] 5 second wall layer [0070] 6 thermal barrier [0071] 6A cooling device [0072] 6B insulating device [0073] 7 inlet/outlet opening [0074] 8 structural insert [0075] 9 fastening connecting piece [0076] 10 outside [0077] 100 aircraft [0078] 101 outer shell [0079] 102 fastening means [0080] 103 central region [0081] 104 material inlays [0082] 105A first payload fuselage section [0083] 105B second payload fuselage section [0084] 106 reinforcing elements [0085] 107 spacer [0086] 108 space [0087] θ angle