Anti-icing device for a cryogenic expander nozzle executive structure

Abstract

The application discloses an anti-icing device of a low-temperature expander nozzle execution structure and belongs to the technical field of low-temperature refrigeration equipment. The anti-icing device comprises a set of movable nozzles, a connecting rod and a pneumatic actuator. The set of movable nozzles are uniformly distributed on a linkage ring. The linkage ring is connected with one end of a nozzle adjusting screw rod. The anti-icing device comprises a first cover plate, a second cover plate and an electric heating plate clamped between the first cover plate and the second cover plate. The other end of the nozzle adjusting screw rod penetrates the first cover plate and the second cover plate in sequence and is connected with the pneumatic actuator through the connecting rod. The silicon rubber heating plate can continuously heat the connecting part of the movable nozzle and the pneumatic actuator, the movable structure is prevented from being stuck or disabled due to icing, and the continuous operation capacity of the expander in a deep low-temperature environment is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of cryogenic refrigeration equipment technology, specifically relating to an anti-icing device for a cryogenic expander nozzle actuator structure. Background Technology

[0002] The expander is a core refrigeration component in cryogenic equipment (such as natural gas liquefaction, air separation, and helium liquefaction devices). Its working principle involves the adiabatic expansion of compressed gas within the expander, outputting mechanical work while significantly reducing the gas's temperature and pressure to obtain the required cooling capacity. Because the internal operating temperature of the expander is extremely low, often reaching tens or even hundreds of degrees below zero Celsius, while the external environment is typically at room temperature, this huge temperature difference causes severe icing, particularly on the surfaces of components in contact with the external environment, due to condensation of water vapor in the air.

[0003] To effectively control the expander's flow rate, speed, and operating efficiency, an adjustable movable nozzle structure is typically installed inside the expander. This nozzle's adjustment mechanism needs to be connected to an external actuator via a linkage. However, the connection point often freezes, directly causing the internal movable nozzle to fail to respond to the external actuator's adjustment commands. This results in uncontrolled expander flow, decreased efficiency, and in severe cases, poses a significant threat to the stable, safe, and efficient operation of the entire cryogenic system. Currently, conventional solutions to this problem mostly focus on passive insulation or periodic manual de-icing, which have drawbacks such as limited effectiveness, low reliability, and inability to operate continuously online.

[0004] In view of the aforementioned existing technology, the applicant has made beneficial designs, and the technical solutions to be introduced below are produced in this context. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an anti-icing device for the nozzle actuator structure of a low-temperature expander, which can heat the connection between the nozzle and the pneumatic actuator to ensure that the moving structure of the nozzle can still operate flexibly and reliably in extreme low-temperature environments.

[0006] The purpose of this utility model is to provide an anti-icing device for a low-temperature expander nozzle actuator. The low-temperature expander nozzle actuator includes a set of movable nozzles, a connecting rod, and a pneumatic actuator. The set of movable nozzles is evenly distributed on a linkage ring. The linkage ring is connected to one end of a nozzle adjusting screw. The anti-icing device includes a first cover plate, a second cover plate, and an electric heating plate sandwiched between the first cover plate and the second cover plate. The other end of the nozzle adjusting screw passes through the first cover plate and the second cover plate in sequence and is connected to the pneumatic actuator through the connecting rod.

[0007] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, the electric heating plate is a silicone rubber heating plate.

[0008] In another specific embodiment of this utility model, the first cover plate has a through hole on one side of the upper end, and the second cover plate has a through hole on the upper end corresponding to the through hole on the first cover plate. The nozzle adjusting screw passes through the through hole on the first cover plate and the through hole on the second cover plate.

[0009] In another specific embodiment of this utility model, the first cover plate and the second cover plate are connected and fixed by screws distributed around the perimeter.

[0010] In another specific embodiment of this utility model, the cryogenic expander includes a motor and a volute. The motor flange located at one end of the motor is connected to the volute via a connecting flange. The first cover plate has a lower through hole on its lower end near the motor flange. The second cover plate has a lower through hole on its lower end corresponding to the lower through hole of the first cover plate. A connecting screw passes through the lower through hole of the first cover plate and the lower through hole of the second cover plate in sequence and is tightened to the motor flange.

[0011] In another specific embodiment of this utility model, the second cover plate has a heating plate receiving cavity formed on the side facing the electric heating plate, and the electric heating plate is embedded in the heating plate receiving cavity.

[0012] In a further specific embodiment of this utility model, the electric heating plate has a circuit section at the bottom, a power cord is led out from the circuit section, and the heating plate receiving cavity has a relief groove in the middle of the bottom for the power cord to extend outward.

[0013] This invention utilizes a silicone rubber heating plate installed at the nozzle adjusting screw of a cryogenic expander. Its stable and uniform heating characteristics continuously and moderately heat the connection between the moving nozzle and the pneumatic actuator, preventing condensation and icing due to excessive internal and external temperature differences. This avoids jamming or failure of the moving structure due to freezing, improves the expander's continuous operation capability in deep cryogenic environments, and extends the service life of critical moving parts. The silicone rubber material possesses excellent high and low temperature resistance, aging resistance, and insulation properties, enabling long-term stable operation under low temperature and large temperature variation conditions, while also ensuring high electrical safety and operational stability. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cryogenic expander of this utility model on the movable nozzle side; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the anti-icing device described in this utility model on a cryogenic expander; Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the anti-icing device described in this utility model.

[0015] In the diagram: 1. Movable nozzle, 11. Linkage ring, 12. Nozzle adjusting screw; 2. Connecting rod; 3. Pneumatic actuator, 31. Cylinder; 4. Anti-icing device, 41. First cover plate, 411. Through hole on the first cover plate, 412. Through hole on the lower part of the first cover plate, 413. First clearance notch, 42. Second cover plate, 421. Through hole on the second cover plate, 422. Through hole on the lower part of the second cover plate, 423. Heating plate receiving cavity, 4231. Circuit section receiving cavity, 424. Clearance groove, 425. Second clearance notch, 43. Electric heating plate, 431. Circuit section, 432. Power cord, 44. Connecting screw; 5. Motor, 51. Motor flange, 511. Fastening screw; 6. Connecting flange. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The specific embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the description of the embodiments is not a limitation on the technical solution. Any formal but not substantive changes made based on the concept of this utility model should be considered within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0017] In the following description, all directional (or orientational) concepts involving up, down, left, right, front, and back refer to the position of the figure being described, and are intended to facilitate public understanding. Therefore, they should not be construed as a special limitation on the technical solution provided by this utility model.

[0018] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 This utility model relates to an anti-icing device for the nozzle actuator of a cryogenic expander. Since the main structure of the cryogenic expander is common knowledge, the applicant will only provide a brief description here. The cryogenic expander mainly includes a volute, a guide vane, an impeller, movable nozzles 1, and a motor 5. The motor 5 has a motor flange 51 at one end, which is connected to the volute via a connecting flange 6. The cryogenic expander nozzle actuator consists of a set of movable nozzles 1, a connecting rod 2, and a pneumatic actuator 3. The set of movable nozzles 1 are evenly distributed on a linkage ring 11. The linkage ring 11 is connected to one end of a nozzle adjusting screw 12. The other end of the nozzle adjusting screw 12 passes through a nozzle fixing plate and the connecting flange 6 and is connected to one end of the connecting rod 2. The other end of the connecting rod 2 is connected to the cylinder column of the cylinder 31 of the pneumatic actuator 3. The pneumatic actuator 3 synchronously drives one rotation of the movable nozzle 1 blades through the connecting rod 2 and the nozzle adjusting screw 12, thereby changing the flow area of ​​the expander and ultimately controlling the speed, gas flow rate, or pressure.

[0019] See Figure 3 and combined Figure 1 and Figure 2 As a key technical feature of the present invention, the present invention provides an anti-icing device. The anti-icing device 4 includes a first cover plate 41, a second cover plate 42, and an electric heating plate 43 sandwiched between the first cover plate 41 and the second cover plate 42. The other end of the nozzle adjusting screw 12 passes through the first cover plate 41 and the second cover plate 42 in sequence and is connected to the pneumatic actuator 3 through the connecting rod 2.

[0020] Specifically, the second cover plate 42 has a heating plate receiving cavity 423 formed on the side facing the electric heating plate 43, and the electric heating plate 43 is embedded in the heating plate receiving cavity 423. The electric heating plate 43 has a circuit section 431 at its lower part, and a power line 432 is led out from the circuit section 431. The heating plate receiving cavity 423 has a relief groove 424 in the middle of its bottom for the power line 432 to extend outward. In this embodiment, the circuit section 431 protrudes from the surface of the electric heating plate 43, and the heating plate receiving cavity 423 has a circuit section receiving cavity 4231 corresponding to the protruding circuit section 431.

[0021] Furthermore, the electric heating plate 43 is a silicone rubber heating plate, which has good thermal stability. It is closely attached between the first and second cover plates 41 and 42, and can quickly and evenly transfer heat from the heating wire to the heated surface, with high efficiency and ensuring uniform heat transfer. In addition, silicone rubber material has good resistance to high and low temperatures, aging resistance and insulation properties, and can work stably for a long time under the low temperature and large temperature difference conditions of the expander.

[0022] Furthermore, the first cover plate 41 has a through hole 411 on its upper end near the motor flange 51, and the second cover plate 42 has a through hole 421 on its upper end corresponding to the through hole 411. The nozzle adjusting screw 12 passes through the through holes 411 and 421. The nozzle adjusting screw 12 is protected from freezing by the temperature generated by the electric heating plate 43, which prevents the adjustment and control of the movable nozzle 1 from being affected.

[0023] Furthermore, the first cover plate 41 and the second cover plate 42 are connected and fixed together by screws distributed around their perimeters. The first cover plate 41 has a lower through hole 412 at its lower end near the motor flange 51, and the second cover plate 42 has a lower through hole 422 at its lower end corresponding to the first through hole 412. A connecting screw 44 passes through the first through hole 412 and the second through hole 422 in sequence and is then tightened onto the motor flange 51. This achieves the connection between the anti-icing device 4 and the main structure of the cryogenic expander. The motor flange 51 is connected to the connecting flange 6 by a ring of fastening screws 511. The first cover plate 41 has a first clearance notch 413 on the side facing the motor flange 51 to accommodate the fastening screws 511. Correspondingly, the second cover plate 42 also has a second clearance notch 425 on the side facing the motor flange 51 to accommodate the fastening screws 511.

[0024] This utility model, by setting a silicone rubber heating plate at the nozzle adjusting screw of the low-temperature expander, utilizes its stable and uniform heating characteristics to continuously and moderately heat the connection between the movable nozzle and the pneumatic actuator, thereby preventing the movable structure from jamming or failing due to freezing, thus achieving the purpose of the utility model.

Claims

1. An anti-icing device for a low-temperature expander nozzle actuator, wherein the low-temperature expander nozzle actuator includes a set of movable nozzles (1), a connecting rod (2), and a pneumatic actuator (3), wherein the set of movable nozzles (1) are evenly distributed on a linkage ring (11), and the linkage ring (11) is connected to one end of a nozzle adjusting screw (12), characterized in that: The anti-icing device (4) includes a first cover plate (41), a second cover plate (42), and an electric heating plate (43) sandwiched between the first cover plate (41) and the second cover plate (42). The other end of the nozzle adjusting screw (12) passes through the first cover plate (41) and the second cover plate (42) in sequence and is connected to the pneumatic actuator (3) through the connecting rod (2).

2. The anti-icing device for the nozzle actuator structure of a cryogenic expander according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electric heating plate (43) is a silicone rubber heating plate.

3. The anti-icing device for the nozzle actuator structure of a cryogenic expander according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first cover plate (41) has a through hole (411) on one side of the upper end, and the second cover plate (42) has a through hole (421) on the upper end corresponding to the through hole (411) on the first cover plate. The nozzle adjusting screw (12) passes through the through hole (411) on the first cover plate and the through hole (421) on the second cover plate.

4. The anti-icing device for the nozzle actuator structure of a cryogenic expander according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first cover plate (41) and the second cover plate (42) are fixed together by screws distributed around the perimeter.

5. The anti-icing device for the nozzle actuator structure of a cryogenic expander according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cryogenic expander includes a motor (5) and a volute. The motor flange (51) located at one end of the motor (5) is connected to the volute via a connecting flange (6). The first cover plate (41) has a first cover plate lower through hole (412) on the side of its lower end near the motor flange (51). The second cover plate (42) has a second cover plate lower through hole (422) at its lower end, corresponding to the first cover plate lower through hole (412). A connecting screw (44) passes through the first cover plate lower through hole (412) and the second cover plate lower through hole (422) in sequence and is then tightened to the motor flange (51).

6. The anti-icing device for the nozzle actuator structure of a cryogenic expander according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second cover plate (42) has a heating plate receiving cavity (423) on the side facing the electric heating plate (43), and the electric heating plate (43) is embedded in the heating plate receiving cavity (423).

7. The anti-icing device for the nozzle actuator structure of a cryogenic expander according to claim 6, characterized in that: The electric heating plate (43) has a circuit section (431) at the bottom, and a power line (432) is led out from the circuit section (431). The heating plate receiving cavity (423) has a relief groove (424) in the middle of the bottom for the power line (432) to extend outward.

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