US 12,269,608 B2
Structurally integrated vacuum tank and method of using the same
Robert E. Grip, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (US); Aaron J. Kutzmann, Long Beach, CA (US); and Nathaniel J. Noel, North Charleston, SC (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed on Jun. 17, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/336,989.
Prior Publication US 2024/0417097 A1, Dec. 19, 2024
Int. Cl. B64D 37/06 (2006.01); B64D 37/04 (2006.01); F17C 13/08 (2006.01)
CPC B64D 37/06 (2013.01) [B64D 37/04 (2013.01); F17C 13/083 (2013.01); F17C 2203/012 (2013.01); F17C 2205/0126 (2013.01); F17C 2221/012 (2013.01); F17C 2221/033 (2013.01); F17C 2270/0189 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A structurally integrated vacuum jacketed tank system for a structure, the structurally integrated vacuum jacketed tank system comprising:
a structurally integrated vacuum tank comprising:
a vacuum tank main portion extending between vacuum tank end portions, the vacuum tank main portion comprising:
a vacuum tank skin forming a cylinder, the vacuum tank skin having a longitudinal cross section with a profile geometry configured for buckling prevention for the vacuum tank skin under external pressure loads, and the vacuum tank skin configured to provide a pressure barrier between an outside ambient pressure and a vacuum in an interior of the vacuum tank main portion; and
a plurality of stringers coupled to one of, outer surface portions of the vacuum tank skin, or outer surface portions and inner surface portions of the vacuum tank skin, wherein the vacuum tank skin and the plurality of stringers are configured to carry structural loads;
a pressure tank mounted within the structurally integrated vacuum tank, and attached to an interior of the structurally integrated vacuum tank, via a forward tank attach fitting and an aft tank attach fitting, the pressure tank containing a cryogenic fluid; and
a vacuum cavity that forms a gap between a pressure tank outer surface of the pressure tank, and a vacuum tank inner surface of the structurally integrated vacuum tank, such that the pressure tank is not in direct contact with both the vacuum tank skin and the plurality of stringers.