Receptacle for cryogenic connection and assembly comprising such a receptacle

Abstract

The invention relates to a receptacle for receiving a cryogenic filling connection between two uses, the receptacle (1) comprising a tubular sheath (2) having an inlet (5) and a bottom (4) and delimiting a tubular housing configured to accommodate a connection (3) of generally cylindrical shape, characterized in that the tubular sheath (2) is thermally insulated and in that the bottom (4) is located above its inlet (5) in the use configuration so that the terminal end of the connection (3) is kept facing upwards in the stored position in the receptacle. Abstract figure: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Receptacle for cryogenic connection and assembly comprising such a receptacle

[0001] The invention relates to a receptacle for receiving a cryogenic connection and an assembly comprising such a receptacle and a cryogenic connection.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a receptacle for receiving a cryogenic filling connection between two uses, the receptacle comprising a tubular sheath having an inlet and a bottom and delimiting a tubular housing configured to receive in a sealed manner a connection of generally cylindrical shape.

[0003] To shorten the duration of the connection and disconnection phases of cryogenic fluid transfer hoses (LNG, LH2, etc.), quick-connect type connectors (or nozzles) are used.

[0004] These technologies allow self-sealing of the end of the fitting which reduces the need for purging and reheating compared to conventional “Johnston” type fittings.

[0005] This technology allows in particular a cold disconnection of the connection. After disconnection, the connection is cold, which generally causes a deposit of frost (see the condensation of air around the connection for the case of hydrogen). This frost must be evacuated to prevent this water from lodging in the dead volumes of the connection (this can generate a leak or an accumulation of ice as the hose is used).

[0006] If the time between two fillings is too long (especially during the night), thermal inputs on the hoses require the hose to be reheated to limit the pressure build-up. This means the hose must be recooled before the next use. This lengthens the duration of fluid transfers.

[0007] In certain configurations, shortening filling times is a key issue.

[0008] In most fuel filling stations, the hoses are equipped with connectors or nozzles with storage receptacles between the different fillings.

[0009] For cold or cryogenic fluids, it is known to clean the fittings after use to remove the frost deposits that form. This can be done directly into the receptacle by blowing dry air when it is stored.

[0010] Documents WO21093985A1, FR3104671A1 and US20180354778A1 describe receptacles for cryogenic connections but which imperfectly meet the usage requirements.

[0011] The need for reheating / drying before each filling therefore becomes crucial to avoid frost / ice deposits.

[0012] An aim of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art noted above.

[0013] To this end, the receptacle according to the invention, moreover in accordance with the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that the receptacle further comprising a drying module provided with removable attachment member(s) on the end of the tubular sheath delimiting the bottom, that is to say that the drying module can be arranged in a first position attached to the end of the sheath and a second position detached from the sheath, the drying module comprising a circulation channel for the flow of drying gas, the bottom of the sheath comprising an inlet valve configured to be connected to the circulation channel when the drying module is in its first position and to admit a flow of drying gas into the sheath, the receptacle comprising a set of sealing gasket(s) configured to cooperate with the connector and isolate the interior volume of the sheath from the exterior of the sheath.

[0014] Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features: - the inlet valve is a non-return valve, - the sheath includes a discharge valve configured to discharge a possible overpressure in the sheath, the discharge valve being for example a non-return valve, - the drying module comprises a heating member, for example a resistor and a source of pressurized drying gas or an end intended to be connected to a source of heated pressurized drying gas, - the tubular sheath is thermally insulated, for example a double-walled structure insulated by vacuum between the walls, - the receptacle has a locking mechanism configured to cooperate with the connector and ensure removable locking of the connector in the sheath, - the receptacle has a connection presence detector in the sheath and / or a temperature sensor in the sheath, - the receptacle has a system for vacuuming the internal volume of the sheath.

[0015] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a fluid transfer pipe provided with a fluid connector and a receptacle according to any one of the characteristics above or below, comprising a set of sealing O-ring(s) arranged at the inlet of the sheath and / or on the connector.

[0016] The invention may also relate to any alternative device or method comprising any combination of the above or below features within the scope of the claims.

[0017] Other features and advantages will appear on reading the description below, given with reference to the figures in which: Brief description of the figures

[0018] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0019] [Fig-1] is a schematic sectional view of a receptacle according to a method of rea possible implementation of the invention in a first configuration,

[0020] [Fig.2] is a schematic sectional view of the aforementioned receptacle in a second configuration,

[0021] [Fig.3] is a schematic sectional view of the aforementioned receptacle in a third configuration, Detailed description

[0022] In all the figures, the same references refer to the same elements.

[0023] In this detailed description, the following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not mean that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined and / or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

[0024] The receptacle 1 illustrated is configured to receive a cryogenic connection 3 for filling between two uses. Such a connection 3 (sometimes called a nozzle or gun) has, for example, a generally cylindrical shape and is located at one end of a flexible pipe 13 for transferring cryogenic fluid. This connection 3 has at least one valve 14, in particular a self-sealing valve which is shown schematically.

[0025] The receptacle 1 comprises a body in the form of a tubular sheath 2. This sheath has an inlet 5 and a bottom 4 and delimits a tubular housing configured to accommodate the connector 3.

[0026] The sheath 2 is formed of walls which are preferably thermally insulated.

[0027] The bottom 4 can be located above its inlet 5 in the use configuration so that the terminal end of the connector 3 is kept facing upwards in the stored position in the receptacle 1.

[0028] The receptacle 1 further comprises a drying module 9 provided with removable attachment member(s) 10 on the end of the tubular sheath 2 delimiting the bottom 4, that is to say that the drying module 9 can be arranged in a first position attached to the end of the sheath 2 and a second position detached from the sheath 2. For example, the attachment member(s) 10 may comprise a hook system(s) and / or an elastic deformation attachment system.

[0029] The drying module 9 comprises a channel 12 for circulating the flow of drying gas which opens out at one end of the drying module 9.

[0030] The drying module 9 comprises for example a heating member, for example a resistor and a source of drying gas under pressure or an end intended to be connected to a source of drying gas under pressure, preferably heated.

[0031] The bottom 4 of the sheath 2 comprises an inlet valve 7 configured to be connected with the circulation channel 12 when the drying module 9 is in its first position and to admit a flow of drying gas into the sheath 2 (see [Fig.l]).

[0032] As illustrated, the sheath 2 also preferably comprises a discharge valve 8 configured to discharge any excess pressure in the sheath 2.

[0033] The inlet valve 7 and / or the discharge valve 8 may be a non-return valve, for example a valve which opens according to the pressure differential to which its ends are subjected.

[0034] The proposed architecture makes it possible in particular to heat / dry the connection 3 but also to keep it isolated from the external environment during its movements. This tends to minimize frost or ice and therefore the probability of leakage of the joints.

[0035] The receptacle has a heating / drying means and a sheath 2 forming a removable sealed cover allowing the connection to be kept isolated and protected from the external environment during movement phases.

[0036] The drying module 9 makes it possible to heat and / or dry the connection 3 in the sheath 2.

[0037] This drying can be ensured by a circulation of dry gas (air or nitrogen for example). The sheath 2 makes it possible to isolate the connection 3 from the external environment. This sheath can be mechanically connected to the drying module 9 to allow the connection 3 to be heated.

[0038] This sheath 3 is preferably watertight, as is its mechanical connection with the connector 3.

[0039] The sheath 2 and drying module 9 assembly can be oriented so as to facilitate the evacuation of water but also to ensure that the droplets and crystals blown during defrosting do not collect near the valve 14 of the connection.

[0040] For example, the sheath 2 can be oriented in any orientation but preferred orientations would be 60° to 30° (end with the bottom 4 nose pointing downwards) and -30° to -90° (end with the bottom 4 pointing upwards).

[0041] Similarly, the inlet 7 and outlet 8 of the drying gas can be positioned so as to optimize heating / drying.

[0042] An example of use may include all or part of the following steps.

[0043] After use of the connector (filling a tank for example) the connector 3 is separated from the filled tank.

[0044] The sheath 2 is slipped onto the connector 3 (or the connector is inserted into the sheath 2). The sheath 2 is mechanically and tightly connected to the connector 3. This is preferably achieved with a level of tightness determined relative to the external environment to ensure insulation from moisture.

[0045] The assembly comprising the connector 3 and the sheath 2 can be moved towards the drying module 9 (or vice versa) while being protected from the external environment.

[0046] The assembly comprising the connector 3 and the sheath 2 is mechanically connected to the drying module 9.

[0047] After a possible mechanical locking 10 between the sheath 2 and the drying module 9, drying gas can be put into circulation to sweep the connection 3 in the sheath 2. This makes it possible to evacuate the frost which has deposited. The triggering of this sweeping can be triggered manually and / or by the detection of the connection and / or after the connection 3 has cooled down, that is to say before the next filling (or after).

[0048] This gas sweeping may be provided for a predetermined duration, for example between 2 and 120 min and / or as a function of a predetermined measured temperature threshold reached (for example between zero and -70°C). A temperature probe may be installed in the sheath 2 to determine the end of defrosting (and the start of vacuum drawing if applicable).

[0049] When the gas sweep is interrupted, the connection 3 is ready for the next filling.

[0050] Before the next filling, the connector 3 equipped with its sheath 2 can be separated from the drying module 9 and moved towards the tank to be filled while being protected from the external environment (via the sheath 2). During this step, the connector 3 and the sheath 2 remain integral but are separated from the drying module 9.

[0051] Near the tank to be filled, the sheath 2 can be removed from the connector 3 and the connector 3 can be connected to the tank to be filled.

[0052] The drying gas may be nitrogen, dry air, helium or any other suitable gas or mixture.

[0053] This drying gas can be preheated to accelerate drying (in module 9 or upstream). Heating can be achieved by conduction and / or gas circulation.

[0054] It could be considered to make the heating mode and the sheath 2 a single unit.

[0055] The sheath can be placed under vacuum.

[0056] The sheath 2 may have a double-walled structure with thermal insulation. This thermal insulation may include a void (with multi-layer insulation and / or foams, silica, etc.), or without a void (foams, fiberglass, etc.). This inter-wall space may be communicating or not with the internal space of the sheath 2. In the event of communication, this can allow the two volumes to be jointly vacuum-sealed during use.

[0057] The external face of the internal wall of the double wall (surface facing the inter-wall space) can be coated with a coating or a particular surface condition having a reflection coefficient limiting thermal inputs by radiation.

[0058] The detection of the connection 3 in the sheath 2 can be carried out optically and / or mechanically and / or inductively.

[0059] It is possible to provide a collector to facilitate the management and evacuation of the water collected at the bottom of the sheath 2.

[0060] Thus, the receptacle has a sheath 2 forming a preferably removable sealed cover which minimizes frost or ice and therefore the probabilities of leakage of the valve seals 14 or the entry of ice into the lines / tank. This sheath can be mechanically detachable from the drying module 9.

[0061] The invention is particularly advantageous for use in liquid hydrogen tank filling stations (cars, trucks, airplanes, boats) to minimize the times between two successive fillings and to limit leaks due to frost.

[0062] The structure is particularly advantageous for filling installations (boat type) where the distance to be covered is relatively large between the station receptacle and the tank to be filled.

Claims

Claims

1. Receptacle for receiving a cryogenic connection (3) for filling between two uses, the receptacle (1) comprising a tubular sheath (2) having an inlet (5) and a bottom (4) and delimiting a tubular housing configured to receive in a sealed manner a connection (3) of generally cylindrical shape, the receptacle (1) further comprising a drying module (9) provided with removable attachment member(s) (10) on the end of the tubular sheath (2) delimiting the bottom (4), that is to say that the drying module (9) can be arranged in a first position attached to the end of the sheath (2) and a second position detached from the sheath (2), the drying module (9) comprising a channel (12) for circulating drying gas flow,the bottom (4) of the sheath (2) comprising an inlet valve (7) configured to be connected to the circulation channel (12) when the drying module (9) is in its first position and to admit a flow of drying gas into the sheath (2), the receptacle comprising a set of sealing gasket(s) (6) configured to cooperate with the connector (3) and isolate the interior volume of the sheath from the exterior of the sheath (2).,

2. Receptacle according to claim 1, characterized in that the inlet valve (7) is a non-return valve.

3. Receptacle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sheath (2) comprises an evacuation valve (8) configured to evacuate any excess pressure in the sheath (2), the evacuation valve (8) being for example a non-return valve.

4. Receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the drying module (9) comprises a heating member, for example a resistor and a source of pressurized drying gas or an end intended to be connected to a source of heated pressurized drying gas.

5. Receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the tubular sheath (2) is thermally insulated, for example with a double-walled structure insulated by vacuum between the walls.

6. Receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a locking mechanism (12) configured to cooperate with the connector (3) and ensure removable locking of the connector (3) in the sheath (2).

7. Receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a detector (12) of the presence of a connection in the sheath (2) and / or a temperature sensor in the sheath (2).

8. Receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a system for creating a vacuum in the internal volume of the sheath (2).

9. Assembly comprising a fluid transfer pipe (13) provided with a fluid connector (3) and a receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a set of O-ring(s) (6) for sealing arranged at the inlet (5) of the sheath and / or on the connector (3).

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