Patent ID: 7717287

Claim:
A cryogenic storage tank comprising: a fluid-tight outer tank; a fluid-tight inner tank located in the outer tank, the inner tank operable to store a fluid therein; a vacuum between said inner and outer tanks; at least one stiffening member attached to the outer tank; and a plurality of suspension members coupled to said inner tank and to the outer tank, the suspension members suspending the inner tank within the outer tank in a spaced relation therefrom, wherein the stiffening member supports at least a portion of the outer tank and limits deformation of the supported portion of the outer tank due to suspension of the inner tank therein, the stiffening member is attached to an interior of the outer tank, the suspension members are coupled to the stiffening member, the stiffening member couples the suspension members to the outer tank, the outer tank is comprised of at least three discrete segments connected together, the segments including a central segment and two end segments, the stiffening member is attached to the central segment, the at least one stiffening member is at least two stiffening members, and each stiffening member extends across a joint formed between the central segment and one of the end segments where connected together.