A device for cryogenic systems

Abstract

This invention relates to an apparatus (1, 1') for a cryogenic system. The apparatus includes a cryogenic storage tank (2, 2') for storing cryogenic liquid and a test tube (3, 30) having a first end (9, 90) mechanically connected to the cryogenic storage tank. The test tube (3, 30) includes a conduit (10, 100) having a first end (11, 110) fluidly connected to the cryogenic storage tank to receive cryogenic liquid from the tank. The apparatus also includes a sensor (4, 40) for measuring the temperature of the conduit. The conduit has a second free end (12, 120) opposite the first end of the conduit, the second free end being closed, and the temperature sensor (4, 40) is disposed outside the conduit (10, 100) and measures the temperature of the second free end (12, 120).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for a cryogenic system, wherein the apparatus includes a cryogenic tank for storing cryogenic liquid, a trycock pipe, and a sensor for measuring the temperature of the trycock pipe. Background Technology

[0002] Cryogenic systems for handling cryogenic liquids typically consist of storage tanks for storing the liquid and equipment for filling these tanks with the liquid. In systems handling liquid hydrogen, the tanks appropriately employ a double-walled structure, and all process piping is vacuum-insulated. Therefore, each process line is enclosed by secondary piping.

[0003] When filling such cryogenic storage tanks, it is necessary to check the liquid level in the tanks. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an apparatus for cryogenic systems that allows for the simple and robust measurement of the temperature of a test tube.

[0005] This objective is achieved by an apparatus for a cryogenic system, wherein the apparatus includes a cryogenic tank for storing cryogenic liquid and a test tube having a first end mechanically connected to the cryogenic tank, and the test tube includes a conduit having a fluid connection to the first end of the cryogenic tank for receiving cryogenic liquid from the cryogenic tank, wherein the apparatus further includes a sensor for measuring the temperature of the conduit, and wherein the conduit has a second free end opposite to the first end of the conduit, the second free end being closed, and the temperature sensor being disposed outside the conduit and measuring the temperature of the second free end of the conduit.

[0006] This invention is based on the understanding that temperature can be measured reliably and safely using such a device. This can also be used to detect the presence of cryogenic liquids. The relatively low temperature of cryogenic liquids can be used as an indicator of the fill level of storage tanks.

[0007] For example, when the storage tank is filled, the liquid reaches the level in the test tube. As the liquid flows into the pipe, the temperature of the pipe decreases. A temperature sensor can measure the temperature, and the signal from the temperature sensor can be used to control the filling of the storage tank, such as triggering a stop to the filling process.

[0008] The test tube can be set horizontally, or preferably slightly tilted downwards, that is, the second end of the tube is set lower than the first end of the tube, so that the liquid will flow from the storage tank into the tube due to gravity.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the device, the second free end of the pipe has an end wall that seals the pipe, wherein a temperature sensor is configured to measure the temperature of the end wall, and the temperature sensor is preferably configured to contact a surface (e.g., an axial surface) of the end wall. Therefore, while measuring the temperature, the impact of the temperature sensor on the design of the storage tank and test tube can be minimized.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the device, the temperature sensor is configured to be assembled onto or detached from the test tube by axial movement of the temperature sensor relative to the test tube. Therefore, the assembly of the temperature sensor becomes simpler, and the temperature sensor can be precisely positioned outside the pipe to measure the temperature at the second free end of the pipe.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the device, the device includes an external portion mechanically connected to a second end of a test tube, wherein the external portion has a through-hole, and a temperature sensor has a portion extending axially through the through-hole to a second free end of the pipe. Preferably, the temperature sensor can be attached to the external portion via a threaded connector. Therefore, the temperature sensor can be configured to measure the temperature of the pipe, and the temperature sensor can be easily replaced in case of failure.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the device, the test tube is an insulated double-walled test tube comprising a first inner tube and a second outer tube that seals the first inner tube. In this case, temperature measurement at the second free end of the first inner tube is advantageous because a temperature sensor can be positioned at the second free end, thus avoiding the need for components on the test tube that must radially penetrate the second outer tube. This is particularly important if the first inner tube and the second outer tube are vacuum-sealed, and if a vacuum is applied to the annular space between the outer surface of the first inner tube and the inner surface of the second outer tube to obtain a vacuum-insulated test tube.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the device, the outer portion is configured to enclose the second outer tube. Therefore, in addition to assembling a temperature sensor, the outer portion can also be used to seal the insulated double-walled test tube, thereby minimizing the number of components.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the device, the device includes a control unit that receives signals from a temperature sensor, and the control unit is configured to provide a control signal based on the signals received from the temperature sensor, the control signal being used to control a filling device for filling a cryogenic storage tank with cryogenic liquid. Therefore, the liquid level in the storage tank can be detected, and the control unit can be used to control the filling level and / or filling rate of the storage tank.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the device, the control unit is configured to detect a temperature drop based on a signal received from a temperature sensor, and for any detected temperature drop exceeding a predetermined setpoint value, the control unit is configured to provide a control signal to stop filling the cryogenic storage tank. Therefore, the device can be used to automatically terminate filling, thereby preventing overfilling of the storage tank.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a method for controlling such a device. The advantages of this method are similar to those mentioned above with reference to different embodiments of the device.

[0017] Other advantages and advantageous features of the invention are set forth in the following description and claims. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The embodiments of the present invention, which are examples, will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] In the attached image:

[0020] Figure 1 An apparatus for a cryogenic system is shown, comprising a cryogenic tank for storing cryogenic liquids and a test tube.

[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An enlarged view of the test tube shown.

[0022] Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 The variation of the test tube shown, and

[0023] Figure 4 A flowchart of a method for controlling the device is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Figure 1 An apparatus 1 for a cryogenic system is shown. The apparatus 1 includes a cryogenic tank 2 for storing cryogenic liquid and a test tube 3 disposed on the cryogenic tank 2. The apparatus 1 also includes a sensor 4 attached to the test tube 3 for measuring the temperature of the stopcock 3. The temperature sensor 4 is connected to a control unit 5.

[0025] Control unit 5 receives signal 6 from temperature sensor 4, and control unit 5 is configured to provide control signal 7 based on signal 6 received from temperature sensor 4. Control signal 7 is used to control the filling device 8 for filling cryogenic storage tank 2 with cryogenic liquid. The filling device 8 is shown schematically only, but it can consist of any suitable components used in the field of cryogenic systems for filling cryogenic storage tank 2.

[0026] The control unit 5 can be configured to detect a temperature drop based on a signal 6 received from the temperature sensor 4, and for a detected temperature drop exceeding a predetermined setpoint value, the control unit 5 can be configured to provide a control signal 7 to stop the filling of the cryogenic storage tank 2.

[0027] The control unit 5 may include one or more microprocessors and / or one or more storage devices or any other components for executing a computer program to perform temperature measurement and control of the filling device. The control unit 5 is preferably provided with a computer program that includes program code means for performing the steps of any example embodiments of the methods described below.

[0028] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An enlarged view of the test tube is shown. The test tube 3 is shown in cross-section. The test tube 3, extending from the storage tank 2, has a first end 9 mechanically connected to the cryogenic storage tank 2. Furthermore, the test tube 3 includes a conduit 10 having a first end 11 fluidly connected to the cryogenic storage tank 2 for receiving cryogenic liquid from the cryogenic storage tank 2. In other words, when the liquid level in the cryogenic storage tank 2 reaches the test tube 3, liquid can flow into the conduit 10 by gravity.

[0029] The device 1 includes a temperature sensor 4 for measuring the temperature of the pipe 10. The pipe 10 has a second free end 12 opposite to a first end 11 of the pipe 10, and the second free end 12 is closed. The second free end 12 is closed to the surrounding atmosphere, i.e., it is not connected to the atmosphere or any other container fluid. The temperature sensor 4 is disposed outside the pipe 10 for measuring the temperature at the second free end 12 of the pipe 10.

[0030] The second free end 12 of the pipe 10 has an end wall 13 that closes the pipe 10, and the temperature sensor 4 is suitably configured to measure the temperature of the end wall 13 either by directly measuring the temperature of the end wall or indirectly by measuring the ambient temperature closest to the end wall 13. The temperature sensor 4 may be configured to contact a surface 14 (preferably an axial surface 14) of the end wall 13. The axial surface 14 refers to a surface whose surface normal is substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension direction of the pipe 10.

[0031] exist Figure 2 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the temperature sensor 4 is configured to be assembled onto and detached from the test liquid tube 3 by axial movement of the temperature sensor 4 relative to the test liquid tube 3. The axial direction 15 indicated by the arrow is the same as the longitudinal extension direction of the pipe 10.

[0032] The device 1 includes an outer portion 16 mechanically connected to the second end 25 of the test tube. The outer portion 16 is also mechanically connected to the second free end 12 of the pipe 10. The outer portion 16 can be connected, for example, by welding. The outer portion 16 has a through-hole 17, and the temperature sensor 4 has a portion 18 extending axially through the through-hole 17 to the second free end 12 of the pipe 10. The temperature sensor 4 is configured such that its sensing portion 19 is located at the second free end 12 of the pipe 10. The outer portion 16 can be a solid portion with the through-hole welded to the pipe 10. This means that space can be created to accommodate the sensing portion 19 of the temperature sensor 4. To attach the temperature sensor 4 to the test tube 3, the outer portion 16 and the temperature sensor 4 can be threaded, i.e., they can be connected to each other via a threaded connector 20.

[0033] Figure 3 Another exemplary embodiment of the device 1' for a cryogenic system is shown, which has Figure 2 The variation of the test tube shown is illustrated. For this exemplary embodiment, only the version with... Figure 2 The exemplary embodiments shown include different components, while for the remaining components, reference is also made to the content already described above.

[0034] By using a vacuum-insulated double-walled storage tank 2', apparatus 1' can be adapted to handle liquid hydrogen (H2). The test tube 30 is an insulated double-walled test tube 30, comprising a first inner tube 100 and a second outer tube 21 that seals the first inner tube 100. The first inner tube 100 and the second outer tube 21 have suitable vacuum sealing properties, allowing a vacuum to be applied to the annular space 22 between the outer surface 23 of the first inner tube 100 and the inner surface 24 of the second outer tube 21. In other words, the test tube 30 can be a vacuum-insulated double-walled test tube.

[0035] The device 1' suitably includes equipment (not shown) for generating a vacuum in the annular space 22 between the first inner tube 100 and the second outer tube 21, such as pumps, pipe fittings, valves, seals, and any other components required in the technical field of cryogenic systems.

[0036] exist Figure 3 In the exemplary embodiment shown, in addition to the second free end 120 mechanically connected to the first inner tube 100, the outer portion 160 is also mechanically connected to the second outer tube 21 at the second end 250 of the test tube 30. The outer portion 160 can be connected, for example, by welding. The outer portion 160 is configured to close the second outer tube 21.

[0037] Similar to the reference above Figure 2In the described manner, the outer portion 160 has a through-hole 170, and the temperature sensor 40 has a portion 180 extending axially through the through-hole 170 to a second free end 120 of the first inner tube 100. The through-hole 170 and the space that accommodates the sensing portion 190 of the temperature sensor 40 are separated from the annular space 22.

[0038] The temperature sensor 40 is configured to be assembled onto and detached from the test tube 30 by axial movement of the temperature sensor 40 relative to the test tube 30. The axial direction 150 indicated by the arrow is the same as the longitudinal extension direction of the first inner tube 100. The temperature sensor 40 can be attached to the outer part 160 via a threaded connector 200.

[0039] Figure 4 An exemplary embodiment of the method described in the flowchart is shown. See also: Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The method includes the following steps: measuring the temperature of the pipes 10 and 100 outside the pipes at the second free ends 12 and 120 of the pipes 300, and controlling the filling equipment 8 that uses cryogenic liquid to fill cryogenic storage tanks 2 and 2' based on the temperature measurement value 600. Preferably, the method further includes the following steps: detecting a temperature drop based on the temperature measurement value 400, comparing the measured temperature drop with a predetermined set point or threshold 500, and when the detected temperature drop exceeds the predetermined set point value, i.e. Figure 4 If "yes" is selected, the filling device 8 is controlled at 600 to stop filling the cryogenic storage tank 2; otherwise, it is... Figure 4 If the answer is "No", then the temperature drop test will be repeated.

[0040] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown above and in the accompanying drawings; rather, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1, 1') for a cryogenic system, the apparatus comprising a cryogenic tank (2, 2') for storing a cryogenic liquid and a test tube (3, 30), the test tube having a first end (9, 90) mechanically connected to the cryogenic tank, the test tube (3, 30) comprising a conduit (10, 100) having a first end (11, 110), the first end (11, 110) of the conduit (10, 100) being fluidly connected to the cryogenic tank for receiving cryogenic liquid from the cryogenic tank, the apparatus (1, 1') further comprising a temperature sensor (4, 40) for measuring the temperature of the conduit (10, 100), characterized in that, The pipe has a second free end (12, 120) opposite to the first end of the pipe. The second free end is closed, and temperature sensors (4, 40) are disposed outside the pipe (10, 100) to measure the temperature at the second free end (12, 120) of the pipe. The second free end (12, 120) of the pipe (10, 100) has an end wall (13, 130) that closes the pipe. The temperature sensor (4, 40) is configured to measure the temperature of the end wall (13, 130) and is configured to contact the surface (14, 140) of the end wall (13, 130).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The temperature sensors (4, 40) are configured to be assembled onto or detached from the test tubes (3, 30) by axial movement of the temperature sensors (4, 40) relative to the test tubes.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device (1, 1') includes an external portion (16, 160) mechanically connected to a second end (25, 250) of a test tube, the external portion (16, 160) having a through hole (17, 170), and a portion (18, 180) of a temperature sensor (4, 40) having a second free end (12, 120) extending axially through the through hole to a pipe (10, 100).

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, Temperature sensors (4, 40) can be attached to external parts (16, 160) via threaded connectors (20, 200).

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The test tube (3, 30) is an insulated double-walled test tube, which includes a first inner tube and a second outer tube (21) that seals the first inner tube.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first inner tube and the second outer tube (21) are vacuum-sealed, which allows the annular space (22) between the outer surface (23) of the first inner tube and the inner surface (24) of the second outer tube (21) to be evacuated.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The external parts (16, 160) are configured to enclose the second outer tube (21).

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The device (1, 1') includes a control unit (5) that receives a signal (6) from a temperature sensor (4, 40), the control unit (5) being configured to provide a control signal (7) based on the signal (6) received from the temperature sensor (4, 40), the control signal (7) being used to control a filling device (8) that uses cryogenic liquid to fill cryogenic storage tanks (2, 2').

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The control unit (5) is configured to detect a temperature drop based on a signal (6) received from temperature sensors (4, 40), and for a detected temperature drop exceeding a predetermined setpoint value, the control unit (5) is configured to provide a control signal (7) to stop the filling of the cryogenic tank.

10. A method for controlling the apparatus (1, 1') according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: The temperature of the pipe (10, 100) outside the pipe is measured (300) at the second free end (12, 120) of the pipe, and the filling equipment (8) for filling the cryogenic storage tank (2, 2') with cryogenic liquid is controlled (600) based on the temperature measurement value.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the following steps: Temperature drop is detected (400) based on temperature measurement, and when the detected temperature drop exceeds a predetermined set point value, the filling device (8) is controlled (600) to stop filling the cryogenic storage tank (2, 2').

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