Cryogenic Plug-in Coupling Reservoir Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug-in couplings for cryogenic lines experience heat pipe effects and icing issues due to condensation and vaporization cycles in horizontal arrangements, leading to excessive thermal exchange and external icing.
Innovation Solution
A plug-in coupling design that includes a reservoir at the cold end to hold condensate, preventing it from flowing to the warm end and evaporating, thereby avoiding the heat pipe effect and external icing, with seals at both ends to prevent cryogenic fluid penetration into the annular gap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a detachable push-fit coupling is used for horizontal cryogenic lines, then ease of operation is improved, but heat pipe effect and icing occur due to condensation and vaporization cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is divided into distinct functional zones: a hot end section, a cold end section, and an intermediate insulated section. The vacuum insulation layer segments the thermal path, preventing heat transfer through the coupling body. The seal elements segment the annular gap into isolated chambers, preventing condensate migration between hot and cold sections.
Solution Approach 2:
A vacuum insulation layer acts as an intermediary barrier between the hot end and cold end of the coupling. This vacuum layer prevents direct thermal conduction and convection, breaking the heat pipe effect chain. Additionally, seal elements serve as intermediaries to isolate the annular gap into separate chambers, preventing condensate from traveling from the cold end to the hot end.
2Reliability
If seals are added at both hot and cold ends to prevent cryogenic fluid penetration, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different seal elements are used at different locations based on local requirements. The hot end features an O-ring seal suitable for higher temperatures, while the cold end employs a seal designed for cryogenic conditions. The intermediate section may include additional sealing features specific to the vacuum insulation interface. Each seal is optimized for its local thermal and pressure environment.
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 heat exchange with the environment and prevents icing by containing condensate and any penetrating cryogenic liquids within the reservoir, ensuring low losses and reliable operation in horizontal configurations.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling elements are advantageously double-walled and vacuum-insulated. This creates a greater spatial distance between the connection point of the two outer coupling elements and the point where the cryogenic medium transfers from one pipe to the other.
Implementation Method 2
The seals at the hot and cold ends of the quick-connect coupling largely prevent cryogenic fluid, vapor, or air from entering the annular gap.
Implementation Method 3
In a horizontal or nearly horizontal arrangement, the condensate from the air present during assembly of the plug-in coupling is retained in the reservoir at the cold end of the coupling.
Implementation Method 4
This cycle of constant phase changes is associated with a continuous input and output of latent heat, which in turn can lead to a very high thermal exchange with the environment and thus to icing of the outside of the coupling.
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
A quick-connect coupling for cryogenic cables is described, comprising a coupling socket (1) and a coupling plug (2), in which the coupling socket (1) and the coupling plug (2) each consist of an inner tube section (3, 8) and an outer tube section (4, 9). The coupling socket (1) and the coupling plug (2) are detachably connected to each other by a flange connection (5, 10) located at their "hot" end. An annular gap (14) between the coupling socket (1) and the coupling plug (2) at the "cold" end is sealed by a ring seal (12) and at the "hot" end by a ring seal (10b) located in the area of the flange connection. The coupling socket (1) has a reservoir (6) at its "cold" end, which is formed by an annular section (6) with a diameter that is wider than the diameter of the inner tube section (3) of the coupling socket (1).