Patent ID: 8474390
Filing Date: 2013-07-02
Classification: B63B,B63G

Abstract:
1. A supporting arrangement for counteracting compressive loads at an operating temperature, the arrangement comprising: a vessel shell having an enclosed substantially cylindrical inner wall portion; and a support band for exerting an outward pressing force on the vessel shell at the operating temperature, the support band comprising a shape memory alloy having an original substantially linear shape at the operating temperature, the support band contacting the enclosed substantially cylindrical inner wall portion of the vessel shell, wherein at the operating temperature the support band is restricted to a non-linear and substantially arc shape that corresponds to the curvature of the substantially cylindrical inner wall portion of the vessel shell preventing the recovery of the support band to the original substantially linear shape, the support band thereby exerting an outward pressing force on the substantially cylindrical inner wall portion of the vessel shell.