Cryogenic Tank Filling Valve With Pressure-Triggered Flow Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryogenic tank filling systems require manual adjustment and skilled operation to maintain desired pressure, which is inefficient and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A device with a pressure comparison cylinder, piston, and slider tube that automatically diverts fluid flow to top-fill or bottom-fill pathways based on pressure setpoints, eliminating the need for manual monitoring and adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual adjustment of fill valves is used, then pressure control flexibility is maintained, but operator skill requirement increases and operation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-regulation of pressure during filling by automatically switching between top-fill and bottom-fill modes based on real-time pressure feedback, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention and skill-dependent pressure control
Solution Approach 2:
A pressure sensor continuously monitors tank pressure and feeds this information back to the control system, which automatically adjusts the filling process by switching between top-fill and bottom-fill pathways to maintain pressure within the desired range
2Temperature
If top-fill method is used, then vapor space cooling is achieved, but tank pressure decreases requiring pressure balancing
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between top-fill and bottom-fill modes based on real-time pressure conditions, allowing the filling process to adapt to changing tank pressure and temperature conditions to maintain optimal filling efficiency and pressure balance
Solution Approach 2:
The system periodically alternates between top-fill and bottom-fill operations in response to pressure feedback, using top-fill to cool the vapor space when pressure is high and bottom-fill to increase pressure when needed, creating a periodic cycling pattern that maintains pressure balance
3Stress or pressure
If bottom-fill method is used, then liquid level rises increasing tank pressure, but pressure control precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor provides continuous feedback on tank pressure during bottom-fill operations, allowing the control system to precisely determine when to switch from bottom-fill to top-fill mode to maintain pressure within the desired range with high precision
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
Automatically maintains consistent pressure within the cryogenic tank during filling, reducing the need for skilled operators and enhancing filling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The slider tube cylinder is configured to direct fluid to the top-fill line through the first outlet port when a pressure in the lower volume exceeds a setpoint pressure and to direct fluid to the bottom-fill line through the second outlet port when the pressure in the lower volume is below the setpoint pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
A body structure includes an inlet port (15) that receives fluid from a delivery device, a first outlet port (12) that connects to a top-fill line in communication with a cryogenic tank, a second outlet port (13) that connects to a bottom-fill line in communication with a cryogenic tank and a slider tube cylinder (19). A cylinder housing (22) is connected to the body structure and has a pressure comparison cylinder with an upper volume (23) and a lower volume (27), with the latter in fluid communication with a cryogenic tank. A piston (21) slides within the pressure comparison cylinder and a piston shaft is connected to the piston. A pressure regulator (24) is in fluid communication with the upper volume of the pressure comparison cylinder and the slider tube cylinder. A slider tube (29) is connected to the piston shaft and slides within the slider tube cylinder. The slider tube cylinder directs fluid to a top-fill line through the first outlet port when a pressure in the lower volume exceeds a pressure setpoint and fluid to a bottom-fill line through the second outlet port when the pressure in the lower volume is below a pressure setpoint.