Anti-Rotation Cryogenic Coupler for Secure Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic fluids at low temperatures pose handling challenges due to freeze-up issues in couplers and couplers forcefully ejecting from receptacles during venting, especially in moist environments, and rotation during engagement can damage internal components.
Innovation Solution
A rapid-connect coupler with a housing, probe, and handle assembly that translates longitudinally, featuring a slidable sleeve and collar to prevent rotation, along with a vent stop assembly to manage fluid venting and a stop assembly to arrest probe translation, ensuring secure engagement and venting without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a rapid-connect coupler is used to transfer cryogenic fluid, then fluid transfer efficiency is improved, but freeze-up problems occur in moist environments causing mechanical parts to seize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the surface properties of mechanical components through vapor deposition of low-friction coatings. This changes the friction parameter to prevent freeze-up, allowing mechanical parts to move reliably even in cryogenic, moist environments while maintaining high fluid transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining metal mechanical components with deposited low-friction coating layers. This composite structure provides both the mechanical strength needed for coupler operation and the low-friction surface properties that prevent ice adhesion and part seizure
2Ease of operation
If the coupler is designed with internal valve components, then fluid control is improved, but rotation during engagement damages the internal components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by providing anti-rotation protrusions on one component and corresponding recesses on the mating component. This asymmetric feature prevents rotational movement during engagement, protecting the symmetric internal valve components from damage while maintaining full fluid control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses anti-rotation protrusions and recesses as intermediary features that mediate between the coupling action and the internal valve components. These intermediary features absorb and redirect potential rotational forces, preventing them from reaching and damaging the delicate internal valve components
3Ease of operation
If the coupler allows free movement during engagement, then ease of coupling is improved, but the coupler may forcefully eject from the receptacle during venting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry through anti-rotation protrusions and recesses that allow longitudinal movement for easy coupling but prevent lateral and rotational movement. During venting, this asymmetric constraint prevents the coupler from forcefully ejecting while maintaining ease of engagement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by allowing the coupler to move freely in the longitudinal direction during engagement for ease of operation, while the anti-rotation features dynamically constrain lateral and rotational movements. This dynamic behavior prevents forceful ejection during venting while maintaining easy coupling
Data Source
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AI summary
A rapid connect coupler for connecting a fluid holding tank to a receptacle in a non-rotatable manner can include a housing, a probe configured to translate in a longitudinal direction within the housing, and a handle assembly configured to cause the probe to translate within the housing. The handle assembly can be movable between a plurality of positions corresponding to decoupled, coupled and venting positions. The coupler can also include a slidable sleeve coupled to an outer surface of the probe and configured to translate with the probe in the longitudinal direction, the sleeve including a collar configured to engage the receptacle in the coupled and uncoupled positions to prevent rotation of the coupler with respect to the receptacle when the two components are engaged to one another.