System is composed of three interwoven fiberglass bands that encircle tank surface in basketweave configuration. Fiberglass support is lightweight with low thermal conductivity

Lester, J.

Wendling, D. A.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

Spherical 
Tank
Tangential 
Extensions 
ipport) 
'October 1975	 B75-10270 
NASA TECH BRIEF S Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Suspension System for Lightweight Cryogenic Tank 
The problem: 
Conventional suspension systems used to support 
spherical cryogehic tanks are not suitable when weight 
is an important faptor. The cryogenic tanks are 
normally suspended from thick rings that form an 
integral part of the tank structure. These rinds add 
extra weight to the system. 
The solution: 
A new tank-suspension system accepts lighter tanks 
built without the support rings.
How it's done: 
The suspension system, shown in Figure 1, is made 
from three interwoven fiberglass bands that encircle 
the tank surface in a basket-weave configuration. The 
bands are made slightly larger than the tank diameter 
to allow for slight size variations in the spherical 
structure. Each band intersects the vertical tank axis 
at 300 and a band intersects the equator (support) 
ring every 600. The bands are connected to the 
support ring by tangential extensions that are part of 
the fiberglass structure. 
S
S
	 Figure 1. General Arrangement of the Suspension System
(continued overleaf) 
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Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
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https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19750000270 2020-03-19T20:14:34+00:00Z
Equator
(Support)
Ring
an gent lal 
xtension 
Figure 2. Section Through One Band 
As shown in Figure 2, each band is tightened OflLo 
the tank surface by using four insulation pads. The 
pads are made from fiberglass and aluminum and are 
inserted between the bands and the tank surface. A 
shroud or a vacuum jacket surrounds the entire 
structure, insulating the tank from external heat. The 
entire assembly is held by the support ring which rests 
on four vertical legs (not shown). 
The system has several features: 
a. One material (fiberglass) is used for the suspen-
sion. 
b. No machinery is required to fabricate the suspen-
sion system. 
c. The fiberglass support is lightweight with low 
thermal conductivity. 
d. A simple lightweight spherical tank is used. 
e. Very little tooling is needed to manufacture and 
assemble the entire system.
Note: 
Requests for further information may be directed 
to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
Johnson Space Center 
Code AT3 
Houston, Texas 77058 
Reference: TSP75- 10270 
Patent status: 
NASA has decided not to apply for a patent. 
Source: J. Lester and D. A. Wendling of

Beech Aircraft Corp. 
(MSC-14080) 
Categories: 06 (Mechanics) 
03 (Physical Sciences) 
08 (Fabrication Technology) S B75.10270
.


Suspension system for lightweight cryogenic tank

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