Rapid-Connect Coupler Vent Stop for Cryogenic Freeze-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rapid-connect couplers face issues with freeze-up in moist environments when handling cryogenic fluids, leading to mechanical impediments and fluid venting at high pressure, which can forcefully eject the coupler from the receptacle.
Innovation Solution
A rapid-connect coupler design featuring a vent stop assembly with a release lever, release spring, latch pawl, latch spring, catch, and reset cam, allowing for smooth transition between decoupled, coupled, and venting configurations without hard stops, and incorporating a poppet and valve seat for controlled fluid flow and venting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a rapid-connect coupler is used to transfer cryogenic fluid in a moist environment, then fluid transfer efficiency is improved, but water within or outside the coupler freezes causing mechanical parts to become impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing thermal insulation around the coupler body and probe to prevent water from freezing before mechanical impediment occurs. The insulation acts as a protective barrier that anticipates and prevents the freezing problem, allowing mechanical parts to continue moving freely during cryogenic fluid transfer in moist environments.
2Stress or pressure
If the coupler allows fluid venting to ambient during de-coupling, then pressure relief is achieved, but the coupler may forcefully eject from the receptacle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies intermediary by introducing a vent stop mechanism that mediates between the need for pressure relief and coupler stability. The vent stop acts as an intermediate control element that allows controlled venting of high-pressure fluid while preventing the forceful ejection of the coupler from the receptacle during de-coupling operations.
3Productivity
If successive transfers are made from a single coupler to multiple receptacles, then operational efficiency is improved, but freeze-up problems are compounded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing thermal insulation that protects the coupler body and internal components from freezing during successive transfers to multiple receptacles. This insulation barrier is established beforehand to prevent the compounding of freeze-up problems that would otherwise occur with repeated use in cryogenic applications.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution prevents freeze-up and venting-induced ejection by enabling controlled fluid transfer and venting, ensuring reliable operation in cryogenic conditions and reducing mechanical obstruction.
Implementation Method 1
a spring fixed to both the housing and the lever and configured to bias the pawl to the active position via the lever
Implementation Method 2
a poppet and a valve seat located inside of the probe, the poppet configured to translate with respect to the probe
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A rapid connect coupler including a housing, a probe (215) configured to translate within the housing, a handle (130A) assembly configured to cause the probe (215) to translate within the housing body, a stop assembly configured to selectively arrest the translation of the probe, the stop assembly including a pawl (520) configured to occupy both an active position and an inactive position, wherein the inactive position arrests the translation of the probe (215); a catch (510) fixed to the housing and configured to hold the probe (215) in the inactive position; a lever (501) configured to engage the pawl (520); a spring (502) fixed to both the housing and the lever (501) and configured to bias the pawl (520) to the inactive position via the lever (501); and a cam (530) configured to disengage the pawl (520) from the catch (510) and cause the pawl (520) to occupy the active position.