A sealed joint for high-pressure hydrogen gas delivery piping

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of sealing joints, in particular to a sealing joint for a high-pressure hydrogen gas conveying pipeline, which comprises a male connector seat, a female connector seat and a valve core group, the joint ends of the male connector seat and the female connector seat are respectively provided with lock plates and flange joint plates, the outer periphery of the flange joint plate is provided with wedge locking blocks and screw rods, the opposite surfaces of the lock plate and the flange joint plate are respectively provided with first sealing ring groups and second sealing ring groups, the surface of the lock plate is provided with a sealing gasket, the valve core group comprises a core shaft, a spring, a valve sleeve and a guide head, and a gradually tapered section, a throat section and a gradually expanded section flow channel structure are formed between the valve sleeve and a flow channel. The male connector seat and the female connector seat are quickly locked and connected through the wedge locking blocks, a composite sealing structure is formed through labyrinth sealing and elastic sealing, the static pressure of a joint jointing area is reduced through the Venturi effect, the hydrogen gas leakage driving force is reduced, a multilayer leakage prevention mechanism is formed, and the sealing joint has the advantages of good sealing performance, high connection stability and suitability for high-pressure hydrogen gas conveying working conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of sealing joint technology, specifically a sealing joint for high-pressure hydrogen transmission pipelines. Background Technology

[0002] Hydrogen, as a clean energy medium, is widely used in hydrogen fuel cell systems, hydrogen storage and transportation equipment, chemical production plants, and high-pressure hydrogen supply pipelines. During hydrogen transportation, different equipment, hydrogen storage containers, and pipelines typically require joints for rapid connection and disassembly. Therefore, the sealing performance of these joints directly affects the operational safety, energy efficiency, and environmental safety of the transportation system. Especially under high-pressure hydrogen transportation conditions, joints must not only withstand high internal pressure but also meet the requirements of frequent connection and disassembly as well as long-term stable operation.

[0003] Most existing hydrogen transmission joints employ methods such as planar sealing, O-ring sealing, or conical compression sealing to achieve a tight seal, which can meet basic usage requirements under normal operating conditions. However, due to the small size and strong permeability of hydrogen molecules, the joint interface often becomes the most vulnerable point for leakage in the entire transmission system when the internal pressure of the joint continues to rise. Especially near the male and female joint surfaces, the locking structure, and valve opening areas, high-pressure hydrogen continuously acts on the sealing interface, gradually forming leakage channels from tiny gaps. Even with a single sealing ring structure, long-term pressure, wear and aging, or vibration and impact can easily lead to a decline in sealing performance. Furthermore, existing joints typically use a standard straight-through structure for the internal flow channels. When hydrogen flows at high speed through the joint interface, the fluid pressure always acts directly on the sealing interface, failing to actively reduce the leakage driving force in the joint area. Once a tiny leak occurs at the sealing interface, high-pressure hydrogen will continuously seep out, reducing the reliability of the joint seal. Therefore, how to reduce the risk of leakage in the joint area while ensuring convenient connection and improving the sealing stability under high-pressure hydrogen transmission conditions has become a pressing technical problem for those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention aims to solve the technical problems of existing hydrogen transmission joints, such as easy formation of leakage channels in the joint area under high-pressure transmission conditions, simple sealing structure, insufficient sealing reliability during long-term use, and poor joint locking stability, and provides a sealing joint for high-pressure hydrogen transmission pipelines.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A sealing joint for a high-pressure hydrogen transmission pipeline includes a male connector, a female connector, and a valve core assembly fixed inside the male and female connectors. The male and female connectors have a locking disc and a flange plate on their opposite sides, respectively. The locking disc and flange plate have a first sealing ring assembly and a second sealing ring assembly on their opposite sides, respectively. A sealing gasket is embedded in the surface of the locking disc. The valve core assembly includes a spindle and a valve sleeve slidably fitted onto the surface of the spindle. A spring is provided inside the spindle, with one end of the spring abutting against the inside of the valve sleeve. Several fixed wings are provided on the outer periphery of the spindle for fixed connection with the inner sides of the male and female connectors. Several evenly distributed wedge locking blocks are slidably installed on the outer periphery of the flange plate. A screw is rotatably installed on the surface of the flange plate. A threaded sleeve is provided on one side of each wedge locking block and fitted onto the surface of the screw. One side of the locking disc is sloped for sliding abutting against the surface of the wedge locking blocks.

[0006] Through the above structure, the screw drives the wedge locking block to move radially, forming a wedge-tight locking structure between the wedge locking block and the locking disc, thereby achieving a quick locking connection between the male and female connectors and keeping the sealing structures on both sides in a compressed state, improving the overall connection strength and sealing stability of the joint; at the same time, the valve core assembly realizes automatic sealing in the joint separation state and automatic conduction in the joint engagement state, improving the safety of the joint.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the screw is rotatably connected to the flange plate and axially limited, and each wedge locking block is slidably arranged along the radial direction of the flange plate. By rotating the screw, each wedge locking block is driven to move radially to achieve locking or unlocking between the locking plate and the flange plate.

[0008] Specifically, the radial movement is converted into axial locking force through the wedge-shaped engagement between the wedge locking block and the locking disc, keeping the joint mating area in a continuously pre-tightened state, thereby improving the connection firmness and vibration resistance.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the first sealing ring group and the second sealing ring group are both concentric ring ridge structures, and the ring ridges of the first sealing ring group and the second sealing ring group mesh with each other.

[0010] Specifically, the interlocking multi-level ring ridges form a tortuous and extended leakage path, causing hydrogen to undergo multiple throttling and direction changes during the leakage process, thereby improving the labyrinth sealing effect and reducing the probability of leakage.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the following configuration is further provided: both the male and female connectors are provided with flow channels on their inner sides, and both the locking disc and the flange are provided with valve holes on their surfaces. The valve sleeve is located inside the flow channels of the male and female connectors, and a flow gap is formed between the outer periphery of the valve sleeve and the inner wall of the flow channel. The flow gap gradually decreases towards the valve hole.

[0012] Specifically, the gradual structure of the flow gap guides the stable flow of hydrogen, reduces fluid turbulence and local impact, and improves the flow field stability during the transportation process.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the valve sleeve end is further configured such that a guide head is provided, the guide head being adapted to the valve hole on the surface of the lock disc and flange.

[0014] Specifically, through the cooperation between the guide head and the valve hole, the valve core assembly automatically seals the flow channel when the connector is separated and automatically opens the flow channel when the connector is joined, thereby preventing hydrogen leakage and improving operational safety.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the valve sleeve surface is further configured such that it has a streamlined structure with small ends and a large middle, and the outer contour of the valve sleeve is formed by continuous connection of arc transition surfaces. The valve sleeve forms a flow channel structure with a tapered section, a throat section and a gradually expanding section between it and the inner flow channels of the male and female connectors.

[0016] Specifically, by creating a continuously changing flow cross section between the streamlined valve sleeve and the flow channel, hydrogen gas undergoes a smooth acceleration and deceleration process as it flows through the inside of the connector, reducing local resistance loss and improving conveying efficiency.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the valve sleeve is further configured such that the middle part corresponds to the joint area between the locking disc and the flange, and the throat section formed by the flow gap on the outer periphery of the guide head is the minimum flow cross section of the entire flow channel, so that the hydrogen flow forms a Venturi effect when passing through the throat section.

[0018] Specifically, as hydrogen flows through the throat section, the flow velocity increases and a local low static pressure zone is formed, thereby reducing the static pressure in the central joint area of ​​the joint, reducing the leakage pressure difference on both sides of the sealing interface, and reducing the driving force for hydrogen to leak outward. At the same time, as the flow rate increases, the Venturi effect is enhanced, and the static pressure in the joint area further decreases, enabling the joint to form an adaptive sealing characteristic where the greater the flow rate, the stronger the sealing effect.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the sealing gasket is further configured such that: the sealing gasket is located on the surface of the first sealing ring group, the first sealing ring group and the second sealing ring group form a labyrinth sealing structure, and the sealing gasket and the second sealing ring group form an elastic sealing structure, thereby constituting a composite sealing structure combining labyrinth sealing and elastic sealing.

[0020] Specifically, through the combined action of the labyrinth sealing structure, the elastic sealing structure, and the low-pressure leakage structure formed by the Venturi effect, a multi-layered anti-leakage mechanism is formed, which not only ensures reliable connection of the joint but also further improves the sealing performance and safety of use in the high-pressure hydrogen transportation process.

[0021] The beneficial effects achieved by this invention are as follows: 1. In this invention, by setting the valve sleeve surface to a streamlined structure that is small at both ends and large in the middle, and forming a flow channel structure with a tapering section, a throat section, and a expanding section between the valve sleeve and the inner wall of the flow channel, when hydrogen passes through the inside of the joint, a throat section with the smallest flow cross-section is formed on the outer periphery of the guide head, which increases the fluid velocity and generates a Venturi effect, thereby reducing the static pressure near the joint area between the lock disc and the flange, and reducing the driving force for hydrogen leakage to the outside of the sealing interface; at the same time, as the conveying flow rate increases, the flow velocity in the throat area further increases, the local low pressure effect is enhanced, and a more obvious pressure difference is formed in the sealing area to assist the sealing effect, thus exhibiting the characteristic that the greater the flow rate, the stronger the sealing effect.

[0022] 2. In this invention, a labyrinthine sealing structure is formed by the interlocking of the first and second sealing ring groups, which extends the leakage path and increases the flow resistance through multi-stage tortuous flow channels; an elastic fit seal is formed between the sealing gasket and the second sealing ring group to directly seal the joint surface; at the same time, the low static pressure zone formed in the central region of the joint by the Venturi effect reduces the leakage pressure difference at the sealing interface, thus forming a triple leakage prevention mechanism of labyrinth sealing, elastic sealing, and low-pressure leakage, thereby improving the sealing reliability in the hydrogen transportation process and reducing the leakage risk of highly permeable hydrogen media.

[0023] 3. In this invention, by rotating the screw, each wedge locking block moves radially along the flange plate, causing the wedge locking block to engage with the inclined structure on the surface of the locking plate. Under the action of radial locking force, the male and female connectors are continuously tightened and kept in a stable pressing state. This not only improves the connection strength and vibration resistance of the joint, but also keeps the first sealing ring group, the second sealing ring group, and the sealing gasket in a pre-tight pressing state, thereby improving the sealing stability and connection safety of the joint during long-term use. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the exploded cross-sectional structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure in the joint state according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the surface structure of the lock disc according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the relative surfaces of the lock disc and flange receiving disc according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure at point A; Figure 7 This is an exploded view of the valve core assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure label: 100. Male connector; 110. Locking disc; 111. First sealing ring assembly; 112. Sealing gasket; 200. Female connector; 210. Flange; 211. Wedge lock block; 212. Screw; 213. Second sealing ring assembly; 300, Valve core assembly; 310, Mandrel; 311, Fixed wing; 312, Spring; 320, Valve sleeve; 321, Guide head. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described herein can be combined with each other.

[0027] It should be understood that these descriptions are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0028] The following describes, with reference to the accompanying drawings, some embodiments of a high-pressure hydrogen transmission pipeline sealing joint provided by the present invention.

[0029] Combination Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the present invention provides a sealing joint for a high-pressure hydrogen transmission pipeline, comprising a male connector 100, a female connector 200, and a valve core assembly 300 fixed inside the male connector 100 and the female connector 200. The male connector 100 and the female connector 200 are respectively used to connect to hydrogen transmission pipelines on both sides. The male connector 100 has a locking plate 110 at its joint end, and the female connector 200 has a flange plate 210 at its joint end. The valve core assembly 300 is respectively arranged in the internal flow channels of the male connector 100 and the female connector 200, and is used to automatically close the flow channels when the joint is separated and automatically open the flow channels when the joint is engaged, thereby realizing automatic sealing and automatic conduction functions during hydrogen transmission.

[0030] refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 7 As shown, in this embodiment, the valve core assembly 300 includes a spindle 310 and a valve sleeve 320 slidably sleeved on the surface of the spindle 310. A plurality of fixed wings 311 are fixedly provided on the outer periphery of the spindle 310. Each fixed wing 311 is fixedly connected to the inner side of the male connector 100 and the female connector 200, for supporting and positioning the spindle 310. A spring 312 is provided inside the spindle 310. One end of the spring 312 is connected to the spindle 310, and the other end abuts against the inner side of the valve sleeve 320, thereby ensuring that the valve sleeve 320 always has an elastic preload force that allows it to move towards the engagement end.

[0031] refer to Figure 7As shown, in this embodiment, the valve sleeve 320 is provided with a guide head 321 at its end, which is adapted to the valve hole opened on the surface of the lock disc 110 and the flange plate 210. When the male connector 100 and the female connector 200 are in a separated state, under the elastic force of the spring 312, the valve sleeve 320 moves outward, causing the guide head 321 to be embedded in the corresponding valve hole to form a blockage, thereby blocking the internal flow channels of the male connector 100 and the female connector 200 and preventing hydrogen leakage.

[0032] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, a plurality of wedge locking blocks 211 evenly distributed along the circumferential direction are slidably installed on the outer periphery of the flange 210. A screw 212 is rotatably installed on the surface of the flange 210. Each wedge locking block 211 has a threaded sleeve block on one side, which is sleeved on the surface of the screw 212. Since the screw 212 and the flange 210 form a rotatable connection and are subject to axial restraint, the corresponding wedge locking block 211 can move along the radial direction of the flange 210 when the screw 212 is rotated.

[0033] refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the locking disc 110 forms an annular ramp structure on the side facing the flange 210. When the wedge locking block 211 moves radially inward, its inner ramp surface abuts against the ramp surface of the locking disc 110. Due to the wedge-shaped engagement, the wedge locking block 211 can continuously pull the male connector 100 towards the female connector 200, thereby forming a reliable mechanical locking connection. Compared with the traditional axial bolt clamping structure, this structure can achieve axial locking effect by utilizing radial movement, improving assembly efficiency while ensuring connection strength.

[0034] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the surface of the locking disc 110 is provided with a first sealing ring group 111, and the surface of the flange plate 210 is provided with a second sealing ring group 213. Both the first sealing ring group 111 and the second sealing ring group 213 are composed of several concentric ring ridges, and the corresponding ring ridges mesh with each other. When the male connector 100 and the female connector 200 are locked together, the various ring ridges interlock to form a tortuous leakage path, requiring the leaking gas to undergo multiple turns and throttling before it can leak out, thus forming a labyrinthine sealing structure.

[0035] In this embodiment, a sealing washer 112 is also embedded in the surface of the locking disc 110, and the sealing washer 112 is located inside the area of ​​the first sealing ring group 111. After the joint is locked, the sealing washer 112 and the surface of the second sealing ring group 213 are pressed together, thereby forming an elastic sealing structure. The labyrinth sealing structure and the elastic sealing structure work together to form a double sealing protection effect in the joint mating area.

[0036] refer to Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, both the male connector 100 and the female connector 200 have internal conveying channels, and the locking plate 110 and the flange plate 210 are respectively provided with valve holes for the guide head 321 to pass through. The valve sleeve 320 is located inside the corresponding channel, and a flow gap is formed between the outer periphery of the valve sleeve 320 and the inner wall of the channel.

[0037] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 7 As shown, in this embodiment, the valve sleeve 320 has a streamlined structure that is small at both ends and large in the middle, and its outer contour is formed by a continuous arc surface transition. Correspondingly, a flow channel structure with a tapering section, a throat section, and a widening section is formed between the valve sleeve 320 and the inner wall of the flow channel. Among them, the area corresponding to the outer periphery of the guide head 321 forms the minimum flow cross section of the entire flow channel.

[0038] In a preferred example, when hydrogen flows from male connector 100 to female connector 200, the hydrogen first enters the converging section region, and then flows through the throat section region formed on the outer periphery of guide head 321. Due to the reduced flow cross-sectional area, the fluid velocity increases significantly, and a Venturi effect is generated in the throat section, creating a localized low static pressure zone in the central joint area. Based on this, the leakage pressure differential in the joint area is reduced, and even if there are small gaps at the sealing interface, the driving force for hydrogen leakage is reduced, thereby improving the overall sealing performance of the joint.

[0039] Furthermore, as the hydrogen transport flow rate increases, the flow velocity in the throat section increases synchronously, the Venturi effect is enhanced, and the static pressure in the joint area decreases further. Therefore, the joint can form an adaptive sealing characteristic with a larger flow rate and a stronger sealing effect, thereby improving the operational stability under high-pressure hydrogen transport conditions.

[0040] The working process of this invention is as follows: In the disassembled state, the valve core assemblies 300 on both sides are closed, the guide head 321 blocks the corresponding valve hole, and the internal flow channels of the male connector 100 and female connector 200 are isolated from each other. When connection is required, the male connector 100 and female connector 200 are aligned and brought close together, and then the screw 212 is rotated to move each wedge locking block 211 inward and contact the inclined surface of the locking disc 110. The wedge locking action continuously tightens the male connector 100 and female connector 200. During the engagement process, the guide heads 321 on both sides contact each other and push the corresponding valve sleeve 320 backward against the elastic force of the spring 312, thereby opening the valve hole and establishing a complete flow path. At this time, the first sealing ring assembly 111 and the second sealing ring assembly 213 form a labyrinth seal, the sealing gasket 112 forms an elastic seal, and a Venturi flow channel structure is formed between the valve sleeve 320 and the flow channel, allowing hydrogen to be transported under a high-sealing condition. When disassembly is required, rotate screw 212 in the reverse direction to cause wedge lock block 211 to retract radially outward to release the lock. Under the action of spring 312, valve sleeves 320 on both sides move outward again, and guide head 321 seals valve hole again, realizing automatic closure of joint and safe disconnection.

[0041] In the description of this specification, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "specific embodiment," etc., refer to a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example, which is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0042] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A sealing joint for a high-pressure hydrogen transmission pipeline, characterized in that, include: The male connector (100), the female connector (200), and the valve core assembly (300) fixed inside the male connector (100) and the female connector (200) are provided with a locking disc (110) and a flange plate (210) on opposite sides of the male connector (100) and the female connector (200), respectively. The locking disc (110) and the flange plate (210) are provided with a first sealing ring assembly (111) and a second sealing ring assembly (213) on opposite sides of the locking disc (110) and the flange plate (210), respectively. The valve core assembly (300) includes a spindle (310) and a valve sleeve (320) slidably fitted onto the surface of the spindle (310). A spring (312) is provided on the inner side of the spindle (310), with one end of the spring (312) abutting against the inner side of the valve sleeve (320). Several fixed wings (311) are provided on the outer periphery of the spindle (310) for fixed connection with the inner sides of the male connector (100) and female connector (200). Several evenly distributed wedge-locking blocks (211) are slidably installed on the outer periphery of the flange plate (210). A screw (212) is rotatably mounted on the surface of the flange plate (210). A threaded sleeve is provided on one side of each wedge-locking block (211) and fitted onto the surface of the screw (212). One side of the locking disc (110) is sloped for sliding contact with the surface of the wedge-locking block (211). The valve sleeve (320) has a streamlined structure with small ends and a large middle. The outer contour of the valve sleeve (320) is formed by continuous connection of arc transition surfaces. The valve sleeve (320) forms a tapered section, a throat section and a tapered section flow channel structure with the inner flow channels of the male connector (100) and the female connector (200). A sealing gasket (112) is embedded in the surface of the locking disc (110). The sealing gasket (112) is located on the surface of the first sealing ring group (111). The first sealing ring group (111) and the second sealing ring group (213) form a labyrinth sealing structure. The sealing gasket (112) and the second sealing ring group (213) form an elastic sealing structure to form a composite sealing structure combining labyrinth sealing and elastic sealing. A guide head (321) is provided at the end of the valve sleeve (320).

2. A sealing joint for a high-pressure hydrogen transmission pipeline according to claim 1, characterized in that, The screw (212) is rotatably connected to the flange plate (210) and axially limited. Each wedge locking block (211) is slidably arranged along the radial direction of the flange plate (210). By rotating the screw (212), each wedge locking block (211) is driven to move radially to achieve locking connection or unlocking between the locking plate (110) and the flange plate (210).

3. A sealing joint for a high-pressure hydrogen transmission pipeline according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first sealing ring group (111) and the second sealing ring group (213) are both concentric ring ridge structures, and the ring ridges of the first sealing ring group (111) and the second sealing ring group (213) mesh with each other.

4. A sealing joint for a high-pressure hydrogen transmission pipeline according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the male connector (100) and the female connector (200) have flow channels on their inner sides, and both the lock plate (110) and the flange plate (210) have valve holes on their surfaces. The valve sleeve (320) is located inside the flow channels of the male connector (100) and the female connector (200). A flow gap is formed between the outer periphery of the valve sleeve (320) and the inner wall of the flow channel. The flow gap gradually decreases towards the valve hole.

5. A sealing joint for a high-pressure hydrogen transmission pipeline according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide head (321) is adapted to the valve holes on the surfaces of the lock disc (110) and the flange plate (210).

6. A sealing joint for a high-pressure hydrogen transmission pipeline according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve sleeve (320) is set in the middle of the joint area between the lock disc (110) and the flange plate (210), and the throat section formed by the flow gap on the outer periphery of the guide head (321) is the minimum flow section of the entire flow channel, so that the hydrogen flow forms a Venturi effect when it passes through the throat section.

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