ROTATING CONNECTING DEVICE FOR CRYOGENIC FLUID PIPES

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a rotating connection device for cryogenic fluid conduits, comprising a first conduit piece (A) forming a female joint part and a second conduit piece (B) forming a male joint part, connected so as to delimit a conduit (C) for the circulation of the cryogenic fluid and to form a cryogenic fluid heating chamber between the first (A) and second (B) conduit pieces, said rotating connection device further comprising: a first seal (7) impermeable to the cryogenic fluid, provided around the circulation conduit at a junction interface between said first conduit piece (A) and said second conduit piece (B) giving access to the heating chamber at an internal end thereof;a second seal (2) impermeable to cryogenic fluid provided at a junction interface between said second conduit piece (B), said second external annular flange (12), and said radially internal ring (10), located at an external end of the heating chamber; a third seal (3) impermeable to the gas formed by heating a quantity of said cryogenic fluid and having a temperature greater than -75 degrees, preferably greater than -50 degrees, said third seal (3) being provided at a junction interface between said radially external ring (9), said radially internal ring (10) and said second external annular flange (12).

Description

Title of the invention: Rotating connection device for cryogenic fluid lines. Scope of disclosure

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of cryogenic fluid transfer facilities.

[0002] More specifically, the disclosure relates to a rotating connection device for cryogenic fluid conduits, capable of circulating at temperatures between -180 degrees and -253 degrees.

[0003] Such a device can for example be used in the context of transporting cryogenic fluid over long distances between a fixed unit and a mobile unit, such as at sea or in desert areas, which presents risks of explosion or pollution in the event of contact with the outside air. Prior art

[0004] In recent years, due to increased awareness of the problem of global warming, efforts have been made to make greater use of renewable natural energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal energy, as energy sources to replace fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas. For several years, the possibility of using natural energy sources to produce and efficiently use hydrogen has been considered, as hydrogen can be stored in large quantities and transported over long distances, particularly in liquid form.

[0005] Cryogenic fluid transfer installations, such as loading arms, are detailed for example in document WO9815772.

[0006] Such installations also conventionally include a rotating connection device for cryogenic fluid conduits comprising a bearing and a sealing arrangement including in particular a seal impermeable to cryogenic fluid or a seal impermeable to protect the installation from possible climatic conditions.

[0007] However, a drawback of current installations is that, in the event of failure of the means provided to ensure the proper transfer of the cryogenic fluid and in particular in the event of failure of the means to ensure the sealing of such an installation, the cryogenic fluid finds itself directly in the possibility of escaping from the conduits and thus ending up in the external environment, which is not satisfactory due to the risks of explosion on contact with the outside air.

[0008] There is therefore a need to improve fluid transfer installations cryogenic so as to limit the risks associated with the transfer of cryogenic fluid. Disclosure statement

[0009] One aspect of disclosure is to remedy at least in part the disadvantages relating to prior art techniques.

[0010] To this end, the disclosure relates to a rotating connection device for cryogenic fluid conduits, comprising a first conduit forming a female part of a joint and a second conduit forming a male part of a joint, connected so as to delimit a cryogenic fluid circulation conduit and to form a cryogenic fluid heating chamber between the first and second conduits, said cryogenic fluid circulation conduit being thermally insulated,

[0011] said first conduit part having a first external annular flange and said second conduit part having a second external annular flange, between which is clamped a bearing comprising a radially external ring detachably connected to one of the two external annular flanges and a radially internal ring detachably connected to the other of the two external annular flanges, so as to guide in rotation the assembly formed by said first conduit part and said second conduit part,

[0012] said rotating connection device further comprising: - a first seal impermeable to cryogenic fluid, provided at an interface junction between said first pipe and said second pipe leading to the heating chamber at an internal end thereof; - a second seal impermeable to cryogenic fluid provided at a junction interface between said second pipe piece, said second external annular flange, and said radially internal ring, located at an external end of the heating chamber; - a third gas-impermeable seal formed by heating a quantity of said cryogenic fluid and being provided at a junction interface between said radially external ring, said radially internal ring and said second external annular flange.

[0013] Thus, the disclosure proposes a new and inventive approach that makes it possible to resolve at least in part the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0014] In particular, by implementing three sealing gaskets, additional safety is ensured at the level of the rotating connection device so that if a failure occurs at the first sealing level, or first sealing barrier, corresponding to the first and third gaskets, the cryogenic fluid does not escape from the cryogenic fluid transfer system due to The second level of sealing, or second sealing barrier, corresponding to the second seal, prevents the leakage of cryogenic fluid to the outside. The second seal thus provides a safety measure in case of failure of the first and / or third seals.

[0015] In other words, the first seal ensures a seal against the cryogenic fluid. The third seal ensures a seal against the cryogenic gas produced by heating, in this case, the vaporization of the cryogenic liquid, which could escape at the first seal and be heated as it circulates through the heating chamber. In the event of a failure of this first seal, the second seal ensures a seal to prevent the leakage of cryogenic fluid to the outside.

[0016] It should be noted that said cryogenic fluid circulation conduit is thermally insulated so as to minimize heat inputs into said cryogenic fluid circulating in said circulation conduit.

[0017] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, said first conduit piece and said second conduit piece are connected by fitting the male part of the seal into the female part of the seal.

[0018] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, said first seal is provided around the circulation conduit.

[0019] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, said first seal is annular and is made from polymer resistant to contact with liquid hydrogen, energized by springs.

[0020] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, said liquid hydrogen resistant polymer is PTFE based.

[0021] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, said second seal is annular and is made from polymer resistant to contact with liquid hydrogen, energized by springs.

[0022] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, said springs are made of a material resistant to hydrogen embrittlement.

[0023] Hydrogen embrittlement refers to the embrittlement of a material under the influence of hydrogen. This phenomenon occurs due to the diffusion and dissolution of hydrogen in the microstructure of a metallic component, in this case the spring.

[0024] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, said hydrogen embrittlement-resistant material is an alloy comprising a plurality of components including between 39 and 41% cobalt, between 19 and 21% chromium, between 14 and 16% nickel, between 11.3% and 20.5% iron, between 6% and 8% molybdenum, between 1.5 and 2.5% manganese, and an amount of carbon less than or equal to 0.15%, the sum of the components being equal to 100%.

[0025] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, said third seal is impermeable to the gas formed by vaporization of a quantity of said cryogenic fluid and having a temperature greater than -75 degrees, preferably greater than -50 degrees.

[0026] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, said third seal is a lip seal made from an elastomer.

[0027] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, the device includes a fourth seal provided at a junction interface between said radially external ring, said radially internal ring and said first external annular flange.

[0028] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, said fourth seal comprises a waterproof annular seal.

[0029] As a result, this makes it possible to make the device watertight against the conditions in which it is placed, and for example to protect it from possible humidity from an external environment in which this device is placed.

[0030] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, said first conductive part comprises: a first internal tubular wall radially spaced from said external annular flange by a first upstream space; a first external tubular wall formed in continuity with said first external annular flange, and a first intercalated tubular wall formed radially between said first external tubular wall and said first internal tubular wall, and separated from said first external tubular wall by a first downstream space smaller in diameter than said first upstream space,

[0031] said first intermediate tubular wall and said first inner tubular wall being arranged in a staggered pattern and being connected by an annular junction partition. Furthermore, said second cylindrical conduit piece comprises: a second internal tubular wall; a second external tubular wall formed in continuity with said second external annular flange, and a second intercalated tubular wall formed radially between said second external tubular wall and said second internal tubular wall, said second intercalated tubular wall being separated from said second internal tubular wall by a second internal space and being separated from said second external tubular wall by a second external space,

[0032] said second intercalated tubular wall and said second internal tubular wall being arranged in a staggered pattern and connected by a second annular junction partition,

[0033] said first external tubular wall and first intermediate tubular wall, being at least partially inserted into said second external space,

[0034] said second intermediate tubular wall and second internal tubular wall being inserted into said second conduit piece so as to be abutted against said first annular junction partition so that said first internal tubular wall and said second internal tubular wall are juxtaposed and form said conduit for circulating a cryogenic fluid.

[0035] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, said radially external ring is connected in a detachable manner to one of the two external annular flanges and said radially internal ring is connected in a detachable manner to the other of the two external annular flanges.

[0036] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, said cryogenic fluid heating chamber has a U-shaped serpentine shape between the first conduit piece and the second conduit piece and defines a thermally insulated annular intermediate space, so as to minimize heat inputs into said cryogenic fluid circulating in said circulation conduit.

[0037] Implementing a heating chamber between the first and second conduit pieces allows for thermal insulation of the cryogenic fluid circulation conduit so as to minimize heat input into the cryogenic fluid circulating in the circulation conduit.

[0038] By implementing a U-shaped heating chamber, the compactness of the connection device is improved because the heating chamber is subdivided into several overlapping portions. Furthermore, this allows for the use of a bearing that is relatively close to the connection plane by fitting the male part of the seal into the female part of the seal.

[0039] Finally, the implementation of a thermally insulated annular intermediate space allows any leaks from the circulation duct to be forced through this heating chamber without circulating radially through the walls, to heat up to a temperature preferably above -50 degrees before reaching the third sealing joint, which allows the use of a very gas-tight seal.

[0040] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, said cryogenic fluid heating chamber comprises: a first portion formed between the first intercalated tubular wall and the second intercalated tubular wall, - a second portion extending the first portion and provided between the first external tubular wall and the second external tubular wall,

[0041] said first portion and second portion being connected by a connecting portion formed between an end of said first conduit piece and a junction partition connecting said second external tubular wall to said second intermediate tubular wall.

[0042] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, said first seal impermeable to cryogenic fluid is provided around the circulation conduit between said first annular junction partition and said second annular junction partition.

[0043] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, said second seal impermeable to cryogenic fluid is provided in a housing formed in said second external annular flange and located at an external end of the heating chamber.

[0044] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, said third gas-impermeable seal formed by heating a portion of the cryogenic fluid is provided in the vicinity of said second cryogenic fluid-impermeable seal.

[0045] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, the device includes a static annular seal provided between said first external annular flange and said radially internal ring.

[0046] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, said bearing comprises at least two toroidal bearing tracks which are provided between said radially inner ring and said radially outer ring, and in which balls circulate.

[0047] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, said first external annular flange and said second external annular flange have a plurality of through holes arranged opposite blind holes formed in at least one of said radially inner ring and said radially outer ring. Furthermore, said device includes a plurality of screws, each of said screws passing through one of said through holes and screwing into one of said blind holes.

[0048] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, said thermally insulated annular intermediate space is a vacuum-insulated space in which thermal insulation means are housed.

[0049] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, said thermal insulation means comprise a plurality of combined reflector / insulating layers.

[0050] In this case, according to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, said thermal insulation means comprise a plurality of layers based on glass fiber and aluminum.

[0051] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the disclosure, the cryogenic fluid is liquid hydrogen.

[0052] The disclosure also relates to the use of a rotating conduit connection device according to one of the aforementioned embodiments, for the transfer of liquid hydrogen.

[0053] The disclosure also relates to a loading arm comprising a rotating conduit connection device according to one of the aforementioned embodiments. See figures.

[0054] The disclosure, and the various advantages it offers, will be more easily understood in light of the following description of an illustrative and non-limiting embodiment thereof, and the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0055] [Fig-1] is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating a cryogenic fluid transfer installation according to one disclosure embodiment;

[0056] [Fig.2] is a partial view of [Fig.1];

[0057] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a fluid transfer installation cryogenic according to the embodiment of [Fig. 1], and

[0058] [Fig.4] is a partial exploded view of [Fig.3].

[0059] Detailed description of a disclosure embodiment

[0060] The general principle of disclosure is based on the implementation of at least three sealing levels, formalized by three sealing joints, two of which are impermeable to the cryogenic fluid (i.e., both cryogenic liquid and cryogenic gas) and one seal is impermeable to the gas formed by vaporization of a quantity of said cryogenic fluid, as well as a cryogenic fluid heating chamber, so that if a failure occurs at the level of the first sealing level, or first sealing barrier, corresponding to the first and third seals, the cryogenic fluid does not escape from the cryogenic fluid transfer installation.

[0061] Such a rotating conduit connection device can be used in particular for the transfer of liquid hydrogen.

[0062] According to other variants, it could also be used for the transport of other cryogenic fluids, which must be transported at very low negative temperatures.

[0063] This rotating conduit connection device can in particular be implemented within a loading arm.

[0064] An embodiment of

[0064] is now presented in relation to Figures 1 to 4. disclosure.

[0065] As illustrated, the rotating conduit connection device according to the disclosure comprises a first conduit piece A and a second conduit piece B.

[0066] These two parts are here cylindrical and are, in this embodiment, connected by fitting the second conduit part B forming the male part of the joint into the first conduit part A forming the female part of the joint so as to delimit a conduit C for the circulation of a cryogenic fluid according to a flow F.

[0067] The first conduit piece A has a first external annular flange 11. This external annular flange has, in this embodiment, a fin extending in projection along an axis orthogonal to a longitudinal axis L of extension of this first conduit piece A.

[0068] For its part, the second conduit piece B has a second external annular flange 12. This external annular flange also has, in this embodiment, a fin extending in projection along an axis orthogonal to a longitudinal axis L of extension of this second conduit piece B.

[0069] Between the first external annular flange 11 and the second external annular flange 12 is clamped a bearing comprising a radially external ring 9, which is here connected in a detachable manner to one of the two external annular flanges and a radially internal ring 10 which is here also connected in a detachable manner to the other of the two external annular flanges, in order to keep the first driving piece A connected to the second driving piece B and in order to guide in rotation the assembly formed by the first driving piece A and the second driving piece B.

[0070] This bearing comprises at least two toroidal bearing tracks 91, here two tracks, provided between the radially internal ring 10 and the radially external ring 9, in which balls 90 circulate.

[0071] Depending on various variants, the bearings may be either lubricated or non-lubricated. Lubricated bearings may include a low-temperature, oxygen-compatible grease, meaning that it does not present a risk in the event of contact with an oxygen-rich atmosphere, which can occur if the rotary seal deteriorates and the bearing temperature drops. Non-lubricated bearings may include raceways that are nitrogen-cleaned or nitrogen-pressurized to prevent moisture from forming on these raceways.

[0072] In this embodiment, the first external annular flange and the second external annular flange have a plurality of through holes arranged opposite blind holes formed in at least one of the radially internal ring and the ring radially external. In addition, said device comprises a plurality of screws, each of the screws passing through one of the through holes and screwing into one of the blind holes.

[0073] More particularly, and as illustrated in figures 3 and 4, the first external annular flange 11 has a plurality of through holes 80 arranged opposite blind holes 81 formed in the radially internal ring 10 while the second external annular flange 12 has a plurality of through holes 82 arranged opposite blind holes 83 formed in the radially external ring 9.

[0074] In addition, the installation includes a plurality of screws 8, each of the screws being able to pass through one of the through holes 80 and screw into one of the blind holes 81. Furthermore, the installation includes a plurality of screws 8' being able to pass through one of the through holes 82 and screw into one of the blind holes 83.

[0075] According to another embodiment, the first external annular flange and the radially internal ring could be one piece while the second external annular flange and the radially external ring could be one piece.

[0076] As can be seen in particular in [Fig. 4], the first cylindrical conduit A of this embodiment comprises: - a first internal tubular wall 112 radially separated from the external annular flange 11 by a first upstream space 116; - a first external tubular wall 110 formed in continuity with the first external annular flange 11, and - a first intercalated tubular wall 111 formed radially between the first external tubular wall 110 and the first internal tubular wall 112, and separated from the first external tubular wall 110 by a first downstream space 115 smaller in diameter than the first upstream space 116.

[0077] This first intermediate tubular wall 111 and this first internal tubular wall 112 are arranged in a staggered pattern and are connected by a first annular junction partition 113.

[0078] Furthermore, the second cylindrical conduit B of this embodiment comprises: - a second internal tubular wall 122; - a second external tubular wall 120 formed in continuity with the second external annular flange 12, and - a second intercalated tubular wall 121 arranged radially between the second external tubular wall 120 and the second internal tubular wall 122, the second intercalated tubular wall 121 being separated from the second internal tubular wall 122 by a second internal space 126 and being separated from the second external tubular wall 122 by a second external space 125.

[0079] Here again, the second intercalated tubular wall 121 and the said second internal tubular wall 122 are arranged in a staggered fashion and are connected by a second annular junction partition 123.

[0080] As described, the two pipe pieces are connected by fitting the second pipe piece B forming the male part of the joint into the first pipe piece A forming the female part of the joint so as to delimit a conduit C for the circulation of a cryogenic fluid.

[0081] To do this, the first external tubular wall 110 and the first intermediate tubular wall 111 are at least partially inserted into the second external space 125.

[0082] In addition, the second intercalated tubular wall 121 and the second internal tubular wall 122 are inserted into the second conduit piece B so as to be abutted against the first annular junction partition 113 so that the first internal tubular wall 112 and the second internal tubular wall 122 are juxtaposed and form the conduit C for circulating cryogenic fluid.

[0083] The fitting of the male part of the seal into the female part of the seal forms a cryogenic fluid heating chamber between the first pipe A and the second pipe B.

[0084] More specifically, in this embodiment, the cryogenic fluid heating chamber has a U-shaped profile winding between the first conduit piece A and the second conduit piece B, so as to maintain the compactness of the rotating conduit connection device because the heating chamber is subdivided into several overlapping portions. Furthermore, this allows for the implementation of a bearing that is relatively close to the connection plane by inserting the male part of the seal into the female part of the seal.

[0085] This cryogenic fluid heating chamber further defines a thermally insulated annular intermediate space E, which forces any thermal convection from the circulation duct to pass through this heating chamber without circulating radially through the walls. In other words, this filters out the potential for heat transfer between a cryogenic fluid potentially leaking from the circulation duct and the cryogenic fluid, allowing heat transfer only through the heating chamber.

[0086] In this embodiment, this thermally insulated annular intermediate space corresponds to the first downstream space 115, to the second internal space 126.

[0087] As illustrated, in this embodiment, the cryogenic fluid heating chamber comprises: - a first portion 70 formed between the first intercalated tubular wall 111 and the second intercalated tubular wall 121, - a second portion 72 extending the first portion 70 and provided between the first external tubular wall 110 and the second external tubular wall 120.

[0088] The first portion 70 and second portion 72 are connected by a connecting portion 71 formed between an end of the first conduit piece A and a junction partition connecting the second external tubular wall 120 to the second intermediate tubular wall 121, so as to give a U-shaped profile to this cryogenic fluid heating chamber.

[0089] Thus, in this embodiment, the thermally insulated intermediate space is formed in the space formed by the first portion 70 and the second portion 72. This thermally insulated intermediate space thus forces the heat transfer to take place by circulation along the first portion 70, then the connecting portion 71, then the second portion 72, thus allowing the heating of the cryogenic fluid leaking from the cryogenic fluid circulation conduit to be maximized.

[0090] This thermally insulated annular intermediate space is, in this embodiment, a space insulated by a vacuum in which thermal insulation means are housed.

[0091] In this embodiment, these thermal insulation means comprise a plurality of layers based on glass fiber and aluminum.

[0092] However, according to other embodiments, the thermal insulation means could comprise a plurality of combined reflective / insulating layers.

[0093] As illustrated in the various figures, the rotating connection device of this embodiment further comprises: - a first seal 7 impermeable to cryogenic fluid, i.e. to cryogenic liquid and cryogenic gas, provided at a junction interface between the first pipe piece A and the second pipe piece B giving onto the cryogenic fluid heating chamber at an internal end thereof; - a second seal 2 impermeable to cryogenic fluid, i.e. to cryogenic liquid and cryogenic gas, provided at a junction interface between the second conduit piece B, the second external annular flange 12, and the radially internal ring 10, located at an external end of the cryogenic fluid heating chamber; - a third gas-impermeable seal 3 formed by heating a quantity of said cryogenic fluid and having a temperature above -75 degrees, preferably above -50 degrees, and provided at a junction interface between the radially external ring 9, the ra- internal dialement 10 and the second external annular flange 12.

[0094] By implementing three sealing gaskets, safety is ensured at the level of the connection device.

[0095] In normal operation, the cryogenic fluid circulates in the circulation conduit C. The sealing of this circulation conduit is initially achieved by the first sealing gasket. Any cryogenic fluid that may escape from this first sealing gasket is heated in the heating chamber and arrives heated at the third sealing gasket.

[0096] If the first seal fails, the second seal will prevent the leakage of cryogenic fluid to the outside by stopping the arrival of cryogenic liquid or cryogenic gas too cold to be stopped by the third sealing gasket.

[0097] If the third seal fails, the second seal will provide redundancy for the first seal in order to limit or even completely stop any possible leak of cryogenic gas which would have leaked from the first seal and warmed up in the heating chamber.

[0098] In other words, the first seal ensures a seal against the cryogenic fluid. The third seal ensures a seal against the cryogenic gas produced by the heating of the cryogenic liquid, which could escape at the first seal and be heated while in the heating chamber. In the event of a failure of this first seal, the second seal ensures a seal to prevent the leakage of cryogenic fluid to the outside.

[0099] More particularly, in this embodiment, the first seal 7 impermeable to cryogenic fluid is provided around the circulation conduit between the first annular junction partition 113 and the second annular junction partition 123.

[0100] Here, the first seal 7 is annular and is made from polymer resistant to contact with liquid hydrogen, energized by springs.

[0101] More particularly, here, the first seal 7 is annular and is made from a PTFE-based envelope energized by springs.

[0102] Furthermore, the springs energizing this first joint can be made in one material resistant to hydrogen embrittlement.

[0103] This hydrogen embrittlement resistant material can for example be an alloy comprising a plurality of components including between 39 and 41% cobalt, between 19 and 21% chromium, between 14 and 16% nickel, between 11.3% and 20.5% iron, between 6% and 8% molybdenum, between 1.5 and 2.5% manganese, and an amount of carbon less than or equal to 0.15%, the sum of the components being equal to 100%.

[0104] According to other variants, and for example in the case where the connection device is arranged in a main vertical direction, the first seal impermeable to cryogenic fluid could consist of a space left at a junction interface between the first pipe piece A and the second pipe piece B giving onto the cryogenic fluid heating chamber at an internal end thereof, this space being for example a clearance between the first pipe piece and the second pipe piece.

[0105] For example, this space may be a small or even very small clearance, relative to the diameter of the parts, between the first and second guide parts. For example, this space may be a clearance on the order of a millimeter between the first and second guide parts.

[0106] For its part, in this embodiment, the second seal 2 impermeable to the cryogenic fluid is provided in a housing formed in the second external annular flange 12 and located at an external end of the cryogenic fluid heating chamber.

[0107] As with the first seal, here the second seal 2 is annular and is made from polymer resistant to contact with liquid hydrogen, energized by springs.

[0108] More particularly, here, the second seal 2 is annular and is made from a PTFE base envelope energized by springs.

[0109] Furthermore, the springs energizing this second joint can be made of a material resistant to hydrogen embrittlement.

[0110] This hydrogen embrittlement resistant material can for example be an alloy comprising a plurality of components including between 39 and 41% cobalt, between 19 and 21% chromium, between 14 and 16% nickel, between 11.3% and 20.5% iron, between 6% and 8% molybdenum, between 1.5 and 2.5% manganese, and an amount of carbon less than or equal to 0.15%, the sum of the components being equal to 100%.

[0111] In this way, the cryogenic fluid heating chamber has at one inlet end the first seal impermeable to the cryogenic fluid and at one outlet end the second seal impermeable to the cryogenic fluid.

[0112] As for the third gas-impermeable seal 3 formed by heating a quantity of cryogenic fluid, it is provided in the vicinity of the second seal 2 impermeable to cryogenic fluid.

[0113] More particularly, and as illustrated, it is positioned in a groove formed in the radially internal ring 10, in contact with the radially external ring 9 and the second external annular flange 12.

[0114] Here, this third seal 3 is a lip seal and is made from an elastomer.

[0115] In the illustrated embodiment, the rotating conduit connection device further comprises a fourth seal provided at a junction interface between the radially external ring 9, the radially internal ring 10 and the first external annular flange 11.

[0116] Here, the fourth sealing joint is a waterproof annular seal.

[0117] This waterproof annular seal makes it possible in particular to make the device watertight to the conditions in which it is placed, and for example to protect it from possible humidity from an external environment in which this device is placed.

[0118] Furthermore, the rotating conduit connection device includes a static annular seal 6 provided between the first external annular flange 11 and the radially internal ring 10.

Claims

Demands

1. Rotating connection device for cryogenic fluid conduits, comprising a first conduit (A) forming a female part of a joint and a second conduit (B) forming a male part of a joint, connected so as to delimit a conduit (C) for the circulation of the cryogenic fluid and to form a cryogenic fluid heating chamber between the first (A) and second (B) conduits, said conduit (C) for the circulation of the cryogenic fluid being thermally insulated, said first conduit (A) having a first external annular flange (11) and said second conduit (B) having a second external annular flange (12), between which is clamped a bearing comprising a radially external ring (9) connected to one of the two external annular flanges (11, 12) and a radially internal ring (10) connected to the other of the two external annular flanges (11, 12),so as to guide in rotation the assembly formed by said first conduit piece (A) and said second conduit piece (B), said rotating connection device further comprising: - a first seal (7) impermeable to cryogenic fluid, provided at a junction interface between said first conduit (A) and said second conduit (B) opening onto the heating chamber at one internal end thereof; - a second seal (2) impermeable to cryogenic fluid provided at a junction interface between said second pipe piece (B), said second external annular flange (12), and said radially internal ring (10), located at an external end of the heating chamber; - a third gas-impermeable seal (3) formed by heating a quantity of said cryogenic fluid and provided at a junction interface between said radially external ring (9), said radially internal ring (10) and said second external annular flange (12). said first joint (7) is provided around the circulation conduit.

3. Rotating conduit connection device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said first seal (7) is annular and is made from polymer resistant to contact with liquid hydrogen, energized by springs.

4. Rotating conduit connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said second seal (2) is annular and is made from polymer resistant to contact with liquid hydrogen, energized by springs.

5. Rotating conduit connection device according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that said springs are made of a material resistant to hydrogen embrittlement.

6. Rotating conduit connection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said third seal (3) is impermeable to the gas formed by vaporization of a quantity of said cryogenic fluid and having a temperature greater than -75 degrees, preferably greater than -50 degrees.

7. Rotating conduit connection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said third seal (3) is a lip seal made from an elastomer.

8. Rotating conduit connection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a fourth seal provided at a junction interface between said radially external ring (9), said radially internal ring (10) and said first external annular flange (11).

9. Rotating conduit connection device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said fourth seal is a watertight annular seal.

10. Rotating conduit connection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first conduit piece (A) comprises: - a first internal tubular wall (112) radially separated from said external annular flange (11) by a first upstream space (116); - a first external tubular wall (110) formed in continuity with said first external annular flange (11); and - a first intermediate tubular wall (111) formed radially diamentally between said first external tubular wall (110) and said first internal tubular wall (112), and separated from said first external tubular wall by a first downstream space (115) smaller in diameter than said first upstream space (116), said first intermediate tubular wall (111) and said first internal tubular wall (112) being arranged in a staggered pattern and being connected by a first annular junction partition (113), and in that said second cylindrical conduit (B) comprises: - a second internal tubular wall (122); - a second external tubular wall (120) formed in the continuity of said second external annular flange (12), and - a second intercalated tubular wall (121) arranged radially between said second external tubular wall (120) and said second internal tubular wall (122), said second intercalated tubular wall (121) being separated from said second internal tubular wall (122) by a second internal space (126) and being separated from said second external tubular wall (120) by a second external space (125), said second intercalated tubular wall (121) and said second internal tubular wall (122) being arranged in a staggered pattern and being connected by a second annular junction partition (123), said first external tubular wall (110) and first intercalated tubular wall (111) being inserted at least partially into said second external space (125), said second intermediate tubular wall (121) and second internal tubular wall (122) being inserted into said second conduit piece (B) so as to be abutted against said annular junction partition (113) so that said first internal tubular wall (112) and said second internal tubular wall (122) are juxtaposed and form said conduit (C) for the circulation of a cryogenic fluid.

11. Rotating conduit connection device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that said first seal (7) is impermeable to cryogenic liquid is provided around the circulation conduit between said first annular junction partition (113) and said second annular junction partition (123).

12. Rotating conduit connection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a static annular seal (6) provided between said first external annular flange (11) and said radially internal ring (10).

13. Rotating conduit connection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cryogenic fluid is liquid hydrogen.

14. Use of a rotating conduit connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 for the transfer of liquid hydrogen.

15. Loading arm comprising a rotating conduit connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

Images