Cryogenic Tank Pressure Control via Heating Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tank systems for cryogenic two-phase mixtures face inefficiencies in pressure reduction and energy management, particularly due to complex and unreliable components like switching valves and pumps, which are prone to errors and increase evaporation losses.
Innovation Solution
A tank system with a first heating element and a switching element controlled by a pressure sensor, allowing the heating element to switch between active and inactive states based on container pressure, enabling quick pressure reduction and energy regulation without the need for complex valves or pumps, utilizing a simple and reliable heating element and a radiator to manage existing heat effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If switching valves or pumps are used to extract cryogenic gas or fluid, then pressure control and power delivery can be adjusted, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from complex low-temperature components and places a heating element directly in the container. This allows pressure and power control by simply switching the heating element on or off, eliminating the need for complex switching valves and pumps while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical switching valves and pumps with a thermal field approach using a heating element. Pressure control is achieved through thermal heating rather than mechanical compression or phase change manipulation, significantly simplifying the device while maintaining control capability.
2Productivity
If switching valves for cryogenic fluid are used instead of throttles, then pressure relief efficiency improves, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switching valves with a heating element that uses thermal energy to control pressure relief. The heating element can rapidly change the phase and pressure of cryogenic fluid without requiring complex mechanical valve mechanisms, achieving efficient pressure relief with simpler components.
3Power
If cryogenic fluid pumps are used to add fluid to cryogenic gas, then power requirements can be met, but reliability decreases and design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pumps with a heating element that uses thermal energy to generate pressure and move cryogenic fluid. This thermal approach is more reliable than mechanical pumps in cryogenic conditions, as it avoids the reliability issues of moving parts in extreme cold while still meeting power requirements.
4Ease of operation
If economizer circuit with pressure relief valve and throttle is used, then pressure control is achieved, but evaporation losses increase and pressure reduction speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the economizer circuit's mechanical throttle and pressure relief valve with a heating element controlled by a switching element. This allows direct thermal control of pressure and phase, reducing evaporation losses by precisely controlling when and how cryogenic fluid is converted to gas, while maintaining pressure control capability.
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 system efficiently reduces container pressure and adapts to changing consumer power requirements, minimizing evaporation losses and simplifying the structure by eliminating the need for complex low-temperature components, while maintaining reliable operation and energy management.
Implementation Method 1
a first heating element (10) arranged in the container
Implementation Method 2
enabling quick pressure reduction and energy regulation
Implementation Method 3
a pressure sensor (9), which measures a container pressure P1
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a tank system (1) comprising a container (2) for receiving a two-phase mixture (3) of cryogenic gas (4) and cryogenic liquid (5), a pressure sensor (9) for measuring the container pressure, and a supply line (7) for cryogenic gas (4) extending from a head region (6) of the container (2) for supplying a consumer (M), further comprising a first heating element (10) arranged in the container (2) and a switching element (11) connected to the pressure sensor (9) that controls the first heating element (10), which is switchable between a first switching state in which the first heating element (10) is activated and a second switching state in which the first heating element (10) is deactivated, wherein the switching element (11) assumes the first switching state when the measured container pressure is less than a predetermined threshold value, and assumes the second switching state when the measured container pressure is greater than the threshold value.