US 12,287,067 B2
Segmented vacuum jacketed tank system 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. 18/336,991.
Prior Publication US 2024/0418318 A1, Dec. 19, 2024
Int. Cl. B64D 37/06 (2006.01); B64D 37/30 (2006.01); F17C 3/08 (2006.01); F17C 13/08 (2006.01)
CPC F17C 3/08 (2013.01) [B64D 37/06 (2013.01); B64D 37/30 (2013.01); F17C 13/083 (2013.01); F17C 2201/0109 (2013.01); F17C 2201/0152 (2013.01); F17C 2201/035 (2013.01); F17C 2201/054 (2013.01); F17C 2203/012 (2013.01); F17C 2203/0391 (2013.01); F17C 2203/0602 (2013.01); F17C 2203/0626 (2013.01); F17C 2203/0639 (2013.01); F17C 2203/0643 (2013.01); F17C 2203/0646 (2013.01); F17C 2203/066 (2013.01); F17C 2205/0103 (2013.01); F17C 2221/012 (2013.01); F17C 2221/033 (2013.01); F17C 2260/011 (2013.01); F17C 2260/016 (2013.01); F17C 2270/0189 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A segmented vacuum jacketed tank system, comprising:
a segmented structurally integrated vacuum tank having a vacuum tank main portion extending between vacuum tank end portions, the vacuum tank main portion comprising:
a vacuum tank skin having an outer surface with outer surface portions and an inner surface with inner surface portions, the vacuum tank skin comprising a plurality of vacuum tank skin segments, and having a longitudinal cross section with a profile geometry configured for buckling prevention for the vacuum tank skin under external pressure loads; and
one or more multipurpose longerons, each coupled between two of the plurality of vacuum tank skin segments, and each coupled to at least two of the outer surface portions and at least two of the inner surface portions, the one or more multipurpose longerons each having an interior volume that is substantially hollow to accommodate and hold one or more of one or more system transport lines, a liquid fuel, or a nitrogen gas;
a pressure tank mounted within the segmented structurally integrated vacuum tank, and attached to an interior of the segmented structurally integrated vacuum tank, via a forward tank attach fitting and an aft tank attach fitting, the pressure tank configured to store a cryogenic fluid and comprising a pressure tank main portion extending between pressure tank end portions, the pressure tank main portion comprising a pressure tank skin having an outer surface and an inner surface; and
a vacuum cavity formed between the segmented structurally integrated vacuum tank and the pressure tank, the vacuum cavity forming a gap between a pressure tank outer surface of the pressure tank, and a vacuum tank inner surface of the segmented structurally integrated vacuum tank, such that the pressure tank is not in direct contact with both the vacuum tank skin and the one or more multipurpose longerons.