Cryogenic Pump Axial Discharge Valve Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cryogenic piston pumps face challenges in manufacturing complexity and cost due to significant temperature and pressure constraints, as well as size issues related to radial discharge connections, which complicate the production process and increase expenses.

Innovation Solution

A cryogenic pump design featuring an all-axial structure with a tubular discharge valve body and integrated supply orifices, allowing for axial supply and discharge, simplifying the structure and reducing the number of necessary components and assembly steps, while maintaining thermal insulation through a concentric insulation enclosure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If radial discharge connections are used in conventional cryogenic pumps, then the discharge function is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing complexityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the discharge valve body with the insulating casing by making the discharge valve body integral to the insulating casing structure. This eliminates separate components and assembly steps, directly reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the radial discharge function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating casing is designed to serve dual functions: providing thermal insulation and acting as the discharge valve body structure. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby simplifying manufacturing while achieving the discharge function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If solid body turning-milling with material removal is used to create discharge connections, then the connection is achieved, but manufacturing time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing speedVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge connection is integrated into the insulating casing as a single piece structure, eliminating the need for separate turning-milling operations on solid bodies. This reduces both manufacturing time and process complexity by avoiding multiple machining steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pump is divided into modular components (pump body, insulating casing with integrated discharge valve body) that can be manufactured separately and assembled, reducing the complexity of creating complex discharge connections through extensive material removal from solid bodies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If multiple assembly steps including welding and nitrogen quenching are performed, then the product quality is ensured, but manufacturing cost and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct qualityVSAvoidnumber of manufacturing steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge valve body is made integral to the insulating casing, eliminating separate welding operations between these components. This reduces the number of manufacturing steps while maintaining structural integrity and product quality through fewer joints requiring inspection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Volume of moving object

If radial discharge connections are provided, then the discharge function is achieved, but the pump size increases due to required space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump sizeVSAvoiddischarge connection accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge valve body is integrated with the insulating casing, allowing the discharge connection to be positioned within the existing pump envelope. This eliminates the need for additional external space for radial discharge connections, reducing overall pump size while maintaining discharge functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design simplifies manufacturing, reduces size, and increases service life by eliminating the need for radial connections, lowering production costs and internal stresses, and enhancing reliability through fewer welds and simpler machining operations.

Implementation Method 1

an insulating enclosure (8) which partially surrounds the pump body (2), in particular the part of the pump body (2) intended to receive cryogenic liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3529493B1Cryogenic pump
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 CRYOSTAR
  • EP3529493B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3529493B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3529493B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This cryogenic pump comprises: – a pump body (2) inside which is a piston (26) mounted so as to be mobile in translation along an axis (24), referred to as the longitudinal axis, and bounding a pumping chamber (31), – means for supplying liquid to the pumping chamber (31) and – means for discharging pressurized liquid from the pumping chamber (31), comprising a discharge valve (40) mounted in a discharge valve body (18) mounted on the longitudinal axis (24), the supply means comprising a supply valve (42) arranged at the periphery of the discharge valve body (18).