Cryogenic Transfer Line Coupling With Gate Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic transfer lines in cryostats face issues with environmental air ingress during disengagement, leading to increased heat loads and system inefficiencies, as existing couplings require human intervention and are prone to air contamination, necessitating a design that seals the cryogenic circuit effectively.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a gate valve within the cryogenic transfer line coupling, which forms a seal with the bayonet coupling to prevent environmental air ingress, ensuring the cryogenic circuit remains sealed during disengagement and reducing heat loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a bayonet coupling is used for the cryogenic transfer line, then the transfer line can be easily disconnected, but environmental air can ingress into the cryogenic circuit causing heat loads
Solution Approach 1:
The gate valve is closed before the bayonet coupling is disconnected, proactively preventing air ingress before it can occur. This preliminary sealing action eliminates the harmful effect while maintaining the ease of disconnection benefit
Solution Approach 2:
The gate valve acts as an intermediary sealing mechanism between the cryogenic circuit and the environment. It provides an additional layer of protection that allows the bayonet coupling to be easily disconnected while preventing air contamination
2Adaptability or versatility
If human interaction is required to close the circuit after disengagement, then the system can be operated flexibly, but air ingress may occur before sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The gate valve is closed as part of the disengagement sequence before the coupling is fully separated, ensuring the circuit is sealed before any potential air ingress path exists. This maintains operational flexibility while improving sealing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The gate valve remains closed continuously after disengagement, maintaining the sealed state of the cryogenic circuit without requiring immediate human intervention. This ensures continuous protection against air ingress while preserving operational flexibility
3Productivity
If the cryogenic circuit is left open during disengagement, then the transfer line can be removed, but heat loads increase due to air ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The gate valve is closed before the transfer line is fully removed, preventing air ingress and the associated heat loads. This allows the transfer line to be removed efficiently while eliminating energy loss from air contamination
Solution Approach 2:
The gate valve serves as an intermediary sealing element that allows the transfer line to be removed while preventing the harmful interaction between environmental air and the cryogenic circuit, thereby eliminating heat load losses
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 effectively minimizes air ingress, reducing heat loads on the cryostat, extending the service life of cryogenic components, and enhancing operational efficiency by maintaining a sealed cryogenic environment, thus reducing thermal burdens and helium inventory requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a gate valve communicatively coupled to the first portion of the bayonet coupling and operable to provide sealing of an opening therethrough the gate valve and prevent the ingress of environmental air
Data Source
AI summary
A cryogenic transfer line assembly and cryogenic transfer line coupling for a cryostat is presented. The cryogenic transfer line assembly includes an induction tube communicatively coupled to a cryostat, a cryogenic transfer line having defined as a portion thereof a second portion of a bayonet coupling and a cryogenic transfer line coupling, The cryogenic transfer line coupling communicatively couples the induction tube and the cryogenic transfer line and has defined as a portion thereof a first portion of the bayonet coupling and a gate valve. The gate valve prevents the ingress of environmental air passing through the first portion of the bayonet coupling to a cryogenic fluid disposed within a cryogenic vessel of the cryostat upon disengagement of the cryogenic transfer line from the cryogenic transfer line coupling.