Improved Analysis Methods for Composite Cryogenic Storage Tanks

"A drastic reduction in structural weight is an indispensable prerequisite to realize future Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems. Boost Defense segments of the program such as the Airborne Laser (ABL) and Space-Based Laser (SBL) require thestorage and transport of large amounts of cryogens. All elements contributing to the cryogenic system mass must be as light as possible. Advanced composite materials have the potential to meet reduced weight requirements.Reliance on composite materials for cryogenic tanks increases the demand for accurate finite element analysis (FEA) failure predictions. Current failure analyses of engineered composite components using FEA is inadequate. Composites are made up of atleast two materials that have drastically different properties and failure may be limited to a single constituent. Current FEA technology combines the constituent mechanical properties and models the composite as an idealized homogenous material. As aresult, critical information about the failure of the constituents is sacrificed.Multicontinuum Theory (MCT) allows efficient extraction of constituent stress and strain fields from those of the composite during routine FEA. Constituent information allows implementation of failure prediction methodology at the constituent level wherecomposite failure initiates and offers improved simulation of macro-level structure-load response. Firehole Technologies is a small Wyoming corporation looking to build on its composite analysis expertise and extend the capabilities of the MCT methodology that forms the core of its business. Developing a verified constituent based thermal analysiscapability, including failure simulation, will expand the market that could benefit from such analyses (Integrated circuit board industry specifically), adding significantly to the value of MCT software and the net worth of Firehole Technologies Inc.Phase I development would provided the necessary foundation for developing innovative and improved composite cryogenic tank designs in Phase II based on im