CRYOGENIC STORAGE VESSEL CONSTRUCTED OF DISSIMILAR MATERIALS

摘要

A vessel for storing and transporting cryogenic fluids such as liquid hydrogen, nitrogen and helium. The vessel comprises inner and outer elongated containers supported one within another in coaxial circumjacent relation by support means that includes transverse support structure adjacent each end of the vessel to constrain the containers against transverse or radial displacements relative to each other. The inner and outer containers are constructed of materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion; the inner container being formed of a material having a high coefficient such as aluminum and the outer container being formed of material having a lower coefficient such as steel. The transverse support structure includes elements comprised of each such material, and the invention is particularly concerned with a means for uniting the dissimilar materials at their junction adjacent the ends of the inner container.