Flexible cryogenic composite hose for liquid oxygen transfer

Abstract

The application discloses a flexible low-temperature composite hose for liquid oxygen delivery, which comprises an inner coil, an outer coil and a flexible pipe body arranged between the inner coil and the outer coil; the flexible pipe body comprises a liquid oxygen compatible layer with liquid oxygen compatibility and liquid oxygen impermeability, which is coated on the outer surface of the inner coil; a reinforcing layer with low-temperature toughness and sealing property, which is coated on the outer surface of the liquid oxygen compatible layer; and a protective layer with wear resistance and aging resistance, which is coated on the outer surface of the reinforcing layer. The flexible low-temperature composite hose has the advantages of light weight, small bending radius, and adoption of a polymer with liquid oxygen compatibility as an inner layer and a sealing layer, so that the flexible low-temperature composite hose can not only replace a vacuum insulated metal bellows to deliver a large flow of low-temperature liquid medium such as liquid oxygen, but also has high safety.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of cryogenic composite hose technology, and more specifically to a flexible cryogenic composite hose for liquid oxygen transportation. Background Technology

[0002] Liquid rocket engines require large quantities of fuels such as liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. Currently, vacuum-insulated metal bellows are commonly used for liquid oxygen transportation. However, these pipes have drawbacks such as heavy weight and large bending radius, making them unsuitable for high-flow-rate cryogenic medium transportation. Therefore, there is an urgent need to reduce the weight and improve the flexibility of liquid oxygen transportation pipelines. Although flexible cryogenic composite hoses are currently being used in engineering projects to replace vacuum-insulated metal bellows for cryogenic medium transportation, these composite hoses are primarily used for liquefied natural gas and are not suitable for liquid oxygen transportation. Using them for liquid oxygen transportation could easily lead to major safety accidents such as combustion and explosion in the presence of ignition sources such as mechanical impact, friction, and static electricity. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a flexible cryogenic composite hose for liquid oxygen transportation, which can meet the demand for high-flow-rate cryogenic liquid oxygen transportation and offers high safety.

[0004] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows:

[0005] A flexible cryogenic composite hose for liquid oxygen transport includes an inner coil, an outer coil, and a flexible tube body disposed between the inner coil and the outer coil.

[0006] The flexible tube body includes:

[0007] A liquid oxygen compatible layer that is liquid oxygen compatible but impermeable to liquid oxygen is wrapped around the outer surface of the inner coil.

[0008] A reinforcing layer that covers the outer surface of the liquid oxygen compatibility layer and has low-temperature toughness and sealing properties;

[0009] A protective layer that covers the outer surface of the reinforcement layer and has wear and aging resistance.

[0010] Furthermore, the liquid oxygen compatibility layer is composed of a polymer sleeve and a polymer film layer, and the polymer sleeve of the liquid oxygen compatibility layer is provided with at least one layer, and the polymer film layer of the liquid oxygen compatibility layer is provided with at least one layer.

[0011] Furthermore, the polymer sleeve and polymer film layer of the liquid oxygen compatibility layer are made of fluoropolymers.

[0012] Furthermore, the fluoropolymer of the liquid oxygen compatibility layer is at least one of perfluoropropyl vinyl ether-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (PFA), perfluoroethylene propylene (FEP), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), and ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE).

[0013] In the above technical solution, the innermost layer of the flexible cryogenic composite hose is a liquid oxygen compatible layer that is compatible with liquid oxygen but impermeable to liquid oxygen, which can ensure safety during the liquid oxygen transportation process and prevent safety accidents such as combustion and explosion.

[0014] Furthermore, the reinforcing layer includes a low-temperature toughness polymer layer and sealing layers disposed on the inner and outer sides of the low-temperature toughness polymer layer;

[0015] The low-temperature toughness polymer layer is composed of a polymer woven layer and a polymer film layer with low-temperature toughness, and the polymer woven layer of the low-temperature toughness polymer layer is provided with at least 1 layer and the polymer film layer of the low-temperature toughness polymer layer is provided with at least 5 layers.

[0016] The sealing layer is composed of a polymer sealing sleeve with liquid oxygen compatibility and a polymer film layer, wherein the polymer sealing sleeve of the sealing layer is provided with at least one layer and the polymer film layer of the sealing layer is provided with at least five layers.

[0017] Furthermore, the polymer woven layer and polymer film layer of the low-temperature toughness polymer layer are made of at least one of polyimide, polyester, polypropylene, and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.

[0018] Furthermore, the polymer sealing sleeve and polymer film layer of the sealing layer are made of fluoropolymers.

[0019] Furthermore, the fluoropolymer of the sealing layer is at least one of perfluoropropyl vinyl ether-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (PFA), perfluoroethylene propylene (FEP), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), and ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE).

[0020] In the above technical solution, since the low-temperature mechanical properties of the polymer material used in the liquid oxygen compatibility layer are poor, a reinforcing layer is set on the outer layer of the liquid oxygen compatibility layer. This reinforcing layer not only needs to improve the low-temperature mechanical properties of the hose, especially the low-temperature toughness, but also needs to ensure the hose's sealing performance. Therefore, the reinforcing layer is designed as a sandwich structure, and a sealing layer with liquid oxygen compatibility is used to cover the inner and outer sides of the low-temperature toughness polymer layer.

[0021] Furthermore, the protective layer is composed of a polymer woven fabric layer and a polymer film layer with wear resistance and aging resistance, and the polymer woven fabric layer of the protective layer is provided with at least one layer, and the polymer film layer of the protective layer is provided with at least one layer.

[0022] Furthermore, the polymer woven layer and polymer film layer of the protective layer are made of at least one of polyester, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, and nylon.

[0023] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0024] The present invention provides a flexible cryogenic composite hose for liquid oxygen transportation. It is lightweight, has a small bending radius, and uses a polymer compatible with liquid oxygen as the inner and sealing layers. It can not only replace vacuum-insulated metal bellows for high-flow-rate liquid oxygen transportation, but also has high safety. In addition, the flexible cryogenic composite hose of the present invention can be used to transport cryogenic liquid media with a temperature of -196 to -120°C, that is, in addition to liquid oxygen, it is also suitable for transporting cryogenic liquid media such as liquid nitrogen and liquefied natural gas. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the composite hose of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the composite hose of the present invention.

[0028] The image is labeled as follows:

[0029] 1. Inner coil; 2. Outer coil; 3. Flexible tube body; 31. Liquid oxygen compatible layer; 32. Reinforcing layer; 321. Low temperature tough polymer layer; 322. Inner sealing layer; 323. Outer sealing layer; 33. Protective layer. Detailed Implementation

[0030] This invention provides a flexible cryogenic composite hose for liquid oxygen transportation. To make the objectives, technical solutions, and effects of this invention clearer and more explicit, the invention is further described in detail below. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0031] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Example 1

[0033] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 This embodiment provides a flexible cryogenic composite hose for liquid oxygen transportation, including an inner coil 1, an outer coil 2, and a flexible tube body 3 disposed between the inner coil and the outer coil; the inner coil and the outer coil are both metal wires, and the inner coil 1 forms the inner diameter of the flexible cryogenic composite hose, the outer coil 2 forms the outer diameter of the flexible cryogenic composite hose, and the flexible tube body 3 is clamped between the inner coil and the outer coil.

[0034] The aforementioned flexible tube body 3 specifically includes:

[0035] A liquid oxygen compatible layer 31 that is compatible with liquid oxygen but impermeable to liquid oxygen is wrapped around the outer surface of the inner coil;

[0036] A reinforcing layer 32, which is coated on the outer surface of the liquid oxygen compatibility layer and has low-temperature toughness and sealing properties;

[0037] A protective layer 33 that covers the outer surface of the reinforcement layer and has wear and aging resistance.

[0038] Specifically, the liquid oxygen compatibility layer 31 is composed of a polymer sleeve and a polymer film layer. The polymer sleeve and polymer film layer of the liquid oxygen compatibility layer are each provided in one layer, and the polymer sleeve covers the outside of the polymer film layer. The polymer sleeve and polymer film layer of the liquid oxygen compatibility layer 31 are made of fluoropolymers, specifically polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) or ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE).

[0039] The aforementioned reinforcing layer 32 includes a low-temperature toughness polymer layer 321 and an inner sealing layer 322 and an outer sealing layer 323 disposed on the inner and outer sides of the low-temperature toughness polymer layer. The low-temperature toughness polymer layer 321 is composed of a polymer braided layer and a polymer film layer with low-temperature toughness. The low-temperature toughness polymer layer 321 has two polymer braided layers and five polymer film layers tightly wound together, with the two polymer braided layers wrapped around the outside of the polymer film layer. The inner sealing layer 322 and the outer sealing layer 323 are composed of a polymer sealing sleeve with liquid oxygen compatibility and a polymer film layer. The polymer sealing sleeve of both the inner sealing layer 322 and the outer sealing layer 323 has two layers, and the polymer film layer of both the inner sealing layer 322 and the outer sealing layer 323 has five layers. The polymer sleeve of both the inner sealing layer 322 and the outer sealing layer 323 covers the outside of the corresponding polymer film layer.

[0040] Furthermore, the polymer braided layer and polymer film layer of the aforementioned low-temperature toughness polymer layer 321 are made of polyimide, polyester, polypropylene, or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (unbranched linear polyethylene with a molecular weight of over 1.5 million). The polymer sealing sleeve and polymer film layer of the aforementioned inner sealing layer 322 and outer sealing layer 323 are made of fluoropolymers, specifically perfluoropropyl vinyl ether-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (PFA), perfluoroethylene propylene (FEP), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), or ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE).

[0041] The aforementioned protective layer 33 is composed of a polymer woven layer and a polymer film layer with wear resistance and aging resistance. The protective layer has one polymer woven layer and five polymer film layers, with the polymer woven layer wrapped around the outside of the polymer film layer. The polymer woven layer and polymer film layer of the protective layer 33 are made of polyester, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, or nylon.

[0042] Example 2

[0043] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 This embodiment provides a flexible cryogenic composite hose for liquid oxygen transportation, including an inner coil 1, an outer coil 2, and a flexible tube body 3 disposed between the inner coil and the outer coil; both the inner coil and the outer coil are metal wires.

[0044] The aforementioned flexible tube body 3 specifically includes:

[0045] A liquid oxygen compatible layer 31 that is compatible with liquid oxygen but impermeable to liquid oxygen is wrapped around the outer surface of the inner coil;

[0046] A reinforcing layer 32, which is coated on the outer surface of the liquid oxygen compatibility layer and has low-temperature toughness and sealing properties;

[0047] A protective layer 33 that covers the outer surface of the reinforcement layer and has wear and aging resistance.

[0048] Specifically, the liquid oxygen compatibility layer 31 is composed of a polymer sleeve and a polymer film layer. The liquid oxygen compatibility layer has two polymer sleeves and six polymer film layers, with the polymer sleeve covering the outside of the polymer film layer. The polymer sleeve and polymer film layer of the liquid oxygen compatibility layer 31 are made of fluoropolymers, specifically a mixture of polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) and ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE).

[0049] The aforementioned reinforcing layer 32 includes a low-temperature toughness polymer layer 321 and an inner sealing layer 322 and an outer sealing layer 323 disposed on the inner and outer sides of the low-temperature toughness polymer layer. The low-temperature toughness polymer layer 321 is composed of a polymer braided layer and a polymer film layer with low-temperature toughness. The low-temperature toughness polymer layer 321 has one polymer braided layer and 15 polymer film layers tightly wound together, with the polymer braided layer wrapped around the outside of the polymer film layer. The inner sealing layer 322 and the outer sealing layer 323 are composed of a polymer sealing sleeve with liquid oxygen compatibility and a polymer film layer. The polymer sealing sleeve of the inner sealing layer 322 and the outer sealing layer 323 each has one layer, and the polymer film layer of the inner sealing layer 322 and the outer sealing layer 323 each has 20 layers. The polymer sleeve of the inner sealing layer 322 and the outer sealing layer 323 each covers the outside of the corresponding polymer film layer.

[0050] Furthermore, the polymer braided layer and polymer film layer of the aforementioned low-temperature toughness polymer layer 321 are made of a mixture of polyimide and polyester. The polymer sealing sleeve and polymer film layer of the aforementioned inner sealing layer 322 and outer sealing layer 323 are made of fluoropolymers, specifically a mixture of perfluoropropyl vinyl ether-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (PFA) and perfluoroethylene propylene (FEP).

[0051] The aforementioned protective layer 33 is composed of a polymer woven layer and a polymer film layer with wear resistance and aging resistance. The protective layer has two polymer woven layers and one polymer film layer, with the polymer woven layer wrapped around the outside of the polymer film layer. The polymer woven layer and polymer film layer of the protective layer 33 are made of a mixture of polyester and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.

[0052] In addition, it should be noted that the thickness of the polymer film layer in the liquid oxygen compatibility layer, reinforcing layer and protective layer mentioned in the above embodiments 1 and 2 is preferably 0.01 to 0.1 mm (specifically, the thickness of the polymer film layer in this embodiment 1 and 2 is 0.04 mm), the thickness of the polymer sleeve in the liquid oxygen compatibility layer, reinforcing layer and protective layer is preferably 0.02 to 0.2 mm (specifically, the thickness of the polymer sleeve in this embodiment 1 and 2 is 0.1 mm), and the thickness of the polymer braided layer in the reinforcing layer and protective layer is preferably 0.05 to 0.3 mm (specifically, the thickness of the polymer braided layer in this embodiment 1 and 2 is 0.15 mm). Furthermore, to ensure the flexibility of the composite hose, the number of layers of each polymer sleeve and polymer braided layer in the above liquid oxygen compatibility layer, reinforcing layer and protective layer is preferably no more than 5 layers.

[0053] In addition, the cryogenic composite hoses obtained in Examples 1 and 2 were subjected to liquid oxygen compatibility tests according to the People's Republic of China Aerospace Industry Standard QJ3177-2003 "Test Method for Material Sensitivity to Mechanical Shock in Liquid Oxygen and Pressurized Oxygen Environments" and ASTM D2512–95. No liquid oxygen sensitivity reaction was observed on the surface of the inner layer material of the cryogenic composite hoses in Examples 1 and 2, i.e., no charring, sparking, burning, or explosion was observed, indicating that they have good liquid oxygen compatibility. The cryogenic composite hoses obtained in Examples 1 and 2 were subjected to pressure resistance tests according to BS EN 13766:2010 standard, and they met the pressure resistance requirements under working pressure ≤1.3MPa in liquid nitrogen fluid medium (or other cryogenic media with temperatures higher than liquid nitrogen).

[0054] It should be noted that any parts not mentioned in this invention can be achieved by using or referencing existing technologies.

[0055] Of course, the above description is not intended to limit the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the examples given above. Any changes, modifications, additions or substitutions made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention should also fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flexible cryogenic composite hose for liquid oxygen service, characterized in that, The flexible pipe body is arranged between the inner coil and the outer coil; The flexible pipe body comprises: An outer surface of the inner coil is coated with a liquid oxygen compatible layer which is compatible with liquid oxygen and impermeable to liquid oxygen; A reinforcing layer is coated on the outer surface of the liquid oxygen compatible layer and has low temperature toughness and sealing property; A protective layer is coated on the outer surface of the reinforcing layer and has wear resistance and aging resistance; The liquid oxygen compatible layer is composed of a polymer sleeve and a polymer film layer, the polymer sleeve is coated on the outside of the polymer film layer, the polymer sleeve of the liquid oxygen compatible layer is arranged at least one layer, and the polymer film layer of the liquid oxygen compatible layer is arranged at least one layer; The material of the polymer sleeve and the polymer film layer of the liquid oxygen compatible layer is fluoropolymer, and the fluoropolymer of the liquid oxygen compatible layer is at least one of perfluoro-n-propyl vinyl ether-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, polyperfluoroalkyl propylene, and ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer; The reinforcing layer comprises a low temperature toughness polymer layer and a sealing layer arranged on the inner side and the outer side of the low temperature toughness polymer layer; The low temperature toughness polymer layer is composed of a polymer braid layer with low temperature toughness and a polymer film layer, and the polymer braid layer of the low temperature toughness polymer layer is arranged at least one layer, and the polymer film layer of the low temperature toughness polymer layer is arranged at least five layers; The sealing layer is composed of a polymer sealing sleeve with liquid oxygen compatibility and a polymer film layer, the polymer sealing sleeve is coated on the outside of the polymer film layer, and the polymer sealing sleeve of the sealing layer is arranged at least one layer, and the polymer film layer of the sealing layer is arranged at least five layers; The material of the polymer sealing sleeve and the polymer film layer of the sealing layer is fluoropolymer, and the fluoropolymer of the sealing layer is at least one of perfluoro-n-propyl vinyl ether-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, polyperfluoroalkyl propylene, and ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer; The thickness of the polymer film layer in the liquid oxygen compatible layer and the reinforcing layer is 0.01-0.04mm, and the thickness of the polymer sleeve in the liquid oxygen compatible layer and the reinforcing layer is 0.1-0.2mm.

2. The flexible cryogenic composite hose for liquid oxygen transfer according to claim 1, wherein, The material of the polymer braid layer and the polymer film layer of the low temperature toughness polymer layer is at least one of polyimide, polyester, polypropylene, and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.

3. The flexible cryogenic composite hose for liquid oxygen transfer as claimed in claim 1 wherein, The protective layer is composed of a polymer braid layer with wear resistance and aging resistance and a polymer film layer, and the polymer braid layer of the protective layer is arranged at least one layer, and the polymer film layer of the protective layer is arranged at least one layer.

4. The flexible cryogenic composite hose for liquid oxygen transfer according to claim 3, wherein, The material of the polymer braid layer and the polymer film layer of the protective layer is at least one of polyester, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, and nylon.

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