Quick coupler for LNG bunkering

Abstract

The present invention relates to a quick coupler for LNG bunkering, and more specifically, comprises a valve body portion corresponding to the inlet side of the fluid flow and having a fluid flow path formed in the central portion; a valve module provided inside the valve body portion and capable of operating in the axial direction of the valve body portion; and a connecting body portion connected to one end of the valve body portion to guide the direction of operation of the valve module and corresponding to the outlet side of the fluid flow, wherein the valve module is operated toward the valve body portion to close the fluid flow path when it is in close contact, and is operated toward the connecting body portion to open the fluid flow path so that the fluid can flow through the connecting body portion and be discharged.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a quick coupler for LNG bunkering, and more specifically, to a quick coupler for LNG bunkering that enables a pipe through which an ultra-low temperature fluid such as LNG flows to be connected watertightly and allows for rapid connection and disconnection. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, LNG bunkering refers to the technology of supplying LNG as ship fuel, and it is a technology that ensures the safe flow of liquefied gas stored at ultra-low temperatures from storage tanks to the ship's fuel tanks. However, as the liquefied gas is prepared at ultra-low temperatures, the flow piping and valves contract, and if watertightness performance deteriorates, fuel leakage or air ingress into the fuel tanks can cause various problems.

[0003] As a prior art document for solving the problems of such conventional LNG bunkering technology, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2021-0147386 discloses a coupling device equipped with an octagonal link unit.

[0004] However, according to this conventional technology, there is a problem in that if the cross-sections are not precisely aligned with the connecting pipes and couplings formed on the same axis as the link structure, rapid connection may be hindered. Prior art literature

[0005] (Prior Art 1) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2021-0147386 (December 7, 2021) The problem to be solved

[0006] The present invention was devised to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and its purpose is to enable the coupling and separation of couplers for LNG bunkering operations to be performed simply and quickly. means of solving the problem

[0007] A quick coupler for LNG bunkering according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises: a valve body portion corresponding to the inlet side of the fluid flow and having a fluid flow path formed in the central portion; a valve module provided inside the valve body portion and movable in the axial direction of the valve body portion; and a connecting body portion connected to one end of the valve body portion and corresponding to the outlet side of the fluid flow, wherein the valve module is configured such that when operated toward the valve body portion and is in close contact, the fluid flow path is closed, and when operated toward the connecting body portion, the fluid flow path is opened so that the fluid can flow through the connecting body portion and be discharged. Effects of the invention

[0008] By means of the solution to the above problem, the present invention has the effect of enabling the coupling and separation of couplers for LNG bunkering operations to be performed simply and quickly.

[0009] In addition, the present invention has the effect of ensuring that watertight performance is not degraded by effectively maintaining close contact between the disc portion and the seat ring even when the parts shrink due to ultra-low temperature liquefied gas.

[0010] In addition, the present invention has the effect of ensuring watertightness performance while aligning the contact portion even when the operating direction of the disk portion is guided by a guide pin and the disk portion is rapidly pressed against the seat ring. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0011] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the appearance of a quick coupler for LNG bunkering according to the first embodiment of the present invention, with the disc portion and the seat ring spaced apart. FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the appearance of a quick coupler for LNG bunkering according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the disc portion and the seat ring are in close contact to form a watertight seal. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the link module and disk portion of a quick coupler for LNG bunkering according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0012] The terms used in this specification will be briefly explained, and the invention will be described in detail.

[0013] The terms used in this invention have been selected based on currently widely used general terms while considering their functions within the invention; however, these terms may vary depending on the intent of those skilled in the art, case law, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Therefore, the terms used in this invention should be defined not merely by their names, but based on their meanings and the overall context of the invention.

[0014] When a part of a specification is described as “comprising” a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components.

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0016] Specific details regarding the problem to be solved by the present invention, the means for solving the problem, and the effects of the invention are included in the embodiments and drawings described below. The advantages and features of the present invention, and the methods for achieving them, will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings.

[0017] Hereinafter, the LNG bunkering quick coupler of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0018] A quick coupler for LNG bunkering according to a preferred first embodiment of the present invention, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, comprises a valve body portion (100) which corresponds to the inlet side of the fluid flow and has a fluid flow path formed in the central part, a valve module (200) which is provided inside the valve body portion (100) and is operable in the axial direction of the valve body portion (100), and a connecting body portion (300) which is connected to one end of the valve body portion (100) and corresponds to the outlet side of the fluid flow. Furthermore, the valve module (200) is operated toward the valve body portion (100) to close the fluid flow path when it is in close contact, and when it is operated toward the connecting body portion (300), the fluid flow path is opened so that the fluid can flow through the connecting body portion (300) and be discharged.

[0019] More specifically, the present invention relates to a quick coupler for LNG bunkering, which serves to enable liquefied gas stored at ultra-low temperatures to be injected into a ship. In this case, the present invention allows the tank in which the liquefied gas is stored to be easily and quickly connected to the fuel inlet of the ship, and maintains watertight performance even if the parts shrink due to ultra-low temperatures, thereby preventing leakage of the fluid composed of liquefied gas. In this embodiment, the LNG bunkering quick coupler according to the present invention is described as being used for connecting an ultra-low temperature fluid pipeline, but it is obvious that it can be used as a coupler for fluid flow such as other gases, steam, and other liquids in addition to liquefied gas.

[0020] For example, the valve body part (100) is a member connected to a tank side where the supplied fluid is stored, and one end is provided in a flange shape and connected to the tank side, and is provided in a hollow shape so that a fluid path can be formed inside. At this time, the valve body part (100) includes a first passage part (110) that is bent inward and protrudes from the inner surface of the valve body part (100), a seat ring (120) installed at the end of the first passage part (110) and provided to correspond to the valve module (200), a hollow bonnet member (130) connected to the end of the valve body part (100), and a plurality of guide pins (140) installed vertically from one side of the bonnet member (130). First, the first passage section (110) is provided in a form that protrudes inward from the inner surface of the valve body section (100) and then is bent and extended in the direction of fluid flow. That is, the end of the first passage section (110) can be provided in an 'L' shape. In addition, the end of the first passage section (110) is formed with a stepped shape by having one side recessed. Furthermore, the seat ring (120) is provided to correspond to the inner diameter of the end of the first passage section (110) and can be installed to be pressed into the stepped portion of the first passage section (110). At this time, the seat ring (120) is provided with a Teflon material and acts as a seal by contacting the valve module (200). In addition, the bonnet member (130) is fastened to the end of the valve body section (100), and is provided with an inclined inner side and formed as a hollow shape. At this time, the bonnet member (130) corresponds to the end of the valve body part (100) and serves to enable the connecting body part (300) to be connected to the valve body part (100). In addition, the guide pins (140) are provided in multiple numbers perpendicularly from one side of the bonnet member (130) toward the first passage part (110). The guide pins (140) serve to guide the operating direction of the valve module (200). More detailed information regarding this will be described later.And, the valve body part (100) includes a shaft member (150) that is provided perpendicular to the axial direction and is connected to both ends of the inner surface.

[0021] Next, the valve module (200) serves to control the flow of fluid flowing through the fluid path. More specifically, the valve module (200) includes a disc portion (210) that contacts the seat ring (120) to be watertight, a disc guide portion (220) that is fastened to one side of the disc portion (210) and connected to the guide pin (140), and a link module (230) that operates the disc portion (210). First, the disc portion (210) is formed to correspond to the seat ring (120) and, when in contact with the seat ring (120), serves to watertighten the fluid path so that fluid cannot pass through. And, the above-mentioned disk guide portion (220) is connected to the rear end of the disk portion (210), and the central portion is formed in the shape of a circular dome so that a hydraulic / pneumatic operating portion (224), which is a sealed space in the shape of a circular dome, is formed at the rear end of the disk portion (210). In addition, the disk portion (210) is provided with an inlet hole (211) formed to penetrate the disk portion (210), and the inlet hole (211) is provided to communicate with the hydraulic / pneumatic operating portion (224) in the shape of a circular dome. And, as shown in FIG. 2, when the disk portion (210) is in contact with the seat ring (120) and is in a watertight state, fluid flowing from the first passage portion (110) can be introduced into the hydraulic / pneumatic operating portion (224) through the inlet hole (211). In addition, the above hydraulic / pneumatic operating part (224) allows hydraulic pressure to be applied in the opposite direction from the fluid introduced into the hydraulic / pneumatic operating part (224), thereby strengthening the adhesion force between the disk part (210) and the seat ring (120).Additionally, the disk guide section (220) is provided in the form of a plurality of holes on one side of the disk guide section (220) and arranged radially, and includes a second passage section (221) that allows fluid flowing from the flow path to flow toward the connecting body section (300), a guide fastening member (222) that allows the disk guide section (220) to be fastened to the disk section (210), and a guide hole (223) provided to allow the guide pin (140) to pass through. The second passage section (221) serves to allow fluid flowing from the first passage section (110) to pass through and flow toward the connecting body section (300). At this time, the second passage section (221) is arranged radially in a form in which concentric circles are formed with respect to the center of the disk section (210). In addition, the guide hole (223) is formed in the shape of a hole provided along the longitudinal direction of the guide pin (140) and is formed to be in close contact with the outer surface of the guide pin (140). That is, the disk guide portion (220) can slide along the guide pin (140) by means of the guide hole (223) and reciprocate in the axial direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the disk portion (210) can be accurately seated on the seat ring (120), thereby ensuring watertightness. Also, referring to FIG. 3, the link module (230) serves to provide power so that the disk portion (210) can be transported. For example, the link module (230) includes a first link member (231) fixed to the shaft member (150), a second link member (232) connected in a link form to the first link member (231), a bearing member (233) provided between the valve body part (100) and the shaft member (150) to reduce operating torque by acting as a lubricant, and a link member handle (234) that rotates the shaft member (150). First, the first link member (231) is fixed so that the shaft member (150), which is installed perpendicular to the axial direction of the valve body part (100), becomes the axis of rotation and is rotatable.In addition, the link handle (234) is installed on the outside of the valve body (100) and is operated by a user to allow the shaft member (150) to rotate. That is, when the link handle (234) is operated, the first link member (231) can rotate along with the rotation of the shaft member (150). In addition, the second link member (232) is connected to the end of the first link member (231), so that it can be pulled or pushed in the axial direction of the valve body (100) according to the rotation of the first link member (231). In addition, one end of the second link member (232) is connected to one surface of the disk member (210). Therefore, according to the operation of the first link member (231), the disk member (210) can be moved as shown in FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2. At this time, even if the seat ring (120) and the disk part (210) contract due to the ultra-low temperature fluid and a tolerance occurs, as the disk part (210) is transported by the link module (230), the seat ring (120) and the disk part (210) can be easily sealed and watertight performance can be secured.

[0022] Next, the connecting body part (300) serves to be connected to an LNG vessel requiring a supply of liquefied gas, and to communicate with the tank of the liquefied gas. For example, the connecting body part (300) includes a connecting body handle module (310) that allows the connecting body part (300) to be connected to the vessel and the valve body part (100), a flange part (320) that allows the connecting body part (300) to be connected to the vessel side, and a third passage part (330) formed to allow fluid introduced from the second passage part (221) to flow. In addition, the connecting body handle module (310) is connected to the outer surface of the connecting body part (300) so that it can be connected when a user rotates it to operate it, thereby enabling easy and quick separation and connection.

[0023] Accordingly, the present invention has the effect of enabling a cryogenic coupler for LNG bunkering to be easily and quickly separated and coupled, and preventing the watertight performance from deteriorating even with shrinkage caused by cryogenic temperatures.

[0024] The embodiments described above should be understood as exemplary in all respects and not limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the claims set forth below rather than by the detailed description above, and all modifications or variations derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and equivalent concepts thereof should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0025] 100 : Valve body 110: First passage section 120 : Seat ring 130 : Bonnet missing 140 : Guide pin 150 : Shaft member 200 : Valve Module 210 : Disk section 211 : Inlet hole 220 : Disk guide section 221 : Second passage section 222 : Guide fastening member 223 : Guide Hole 224 : Hydraulic / Pneumatic Actuating Part 230 : Link Module 231 : First link member 232 : Second link missing 233 : Bearing member 234 : Link handle 300 : Connecting body part 310 : Connecting body handle module 320 : Flange section 330 : Third passage

Claims

Claim 1 A valve body portion corresponding to the inlet side of the fluid flow and having a fluid flow path formed in the central part; a valve module provided inside the valve body portion and capable of operating in the axial direction of the valve body portion; and a connecting body portion connected to one end of the valve body portion and corresponding to the outlet side of the fluid flow; wherein the valve body portion comprises: a first passage portion bent inward and protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the valve body portion; a seat ring installed at the end of the first passage portion and arranged to correspond to the valve module; and a hollow bonnet member connected to the end of the valve body portion. A quick coupler for LNG bunkering comprising: a plurality of guide pins installed vertically from one surface of the bonnet member and configured to guide the operating direction of the valve module; wherein the valve module is characterized in that when operated toward the valve body, the flow path is closed, and when operated toward the connecting body, the flow path is opened so that the fluid can flow through the connecting body and be discharged. Claim 2 A quick coupler for LNG bunkering according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve module comprises: a disc portion that contacts the seat ring to be watertight; and a disc guide portion that is fastened to one side of the disc portion and connected to the guide pin. Claim 3 A quick coupler for LNG bunkering according to claim 2, characterized in that the disc guide part comprises a second passage part provided in the form of a plurality of holes on one side to allow fluid flowing from the fluid path to flow toward the connecting body part. Claim 4 delete Claim 5 delete

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