Cryogenic Fitting Receptacle With Heated Drying and Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryogenic fluid transfer systems face issues with frost/ice buildup due to cold disconnections, requiring heating and drying before each use, which prolongs filling times and increases the risk of leaks.
Innovation Solution
A receptacle with a drying module and a tubular sleeve equipped with a circulation channel for drying gas, featuring a heating element and sealing gaskets to isolate and dry the fitting, minimizing frost/ice buildup and ensuring quick, leak-free connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If quick-connect fittings are used to shorten connection and disconnection times, then productivity is improved, but frost/ice buildup occurs on the fittings after cold disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by equipping the receptacle with a heating element that activates before the fitting is needed for the next connection. The heating element pre-heats the receptacle interior and the fitting, preventing frost/ice buildup that would otherwise occur after cold disconnection. This anticipatory heating ensures the fitting is ready for immediate use without requiring manual intervention to remove ice deposits.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle serves as an intermediary between the cold fitting and the warm environment. It provides a controlled transition zone where the fitting can be gradually heated after disconnection, preventing direct exposure to ambient temperature that causes rapid frost formation. The receptacle's insulation and heating system mediate the thermal transition, eliminating the harmful frost buildup while maintaining quick-connect functionality.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If fittings are cleaned by blowing dry air through them during storage, then frost deposits are removed, but the process requires manual intervention and does not prevent ice accumulation in dead spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by automatically removing frost deposits through a heating element that activates when the receptacle detects a fitting is present. Instead of requiring manual intervention to blow dry air through the fitting, the heating element autonomously melts and evaporates frost deposits, and the integrated pump removes the resulting condensate. This automated process prevents ice accumulation in dead spaces and eliminates the need for manual cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cleaning process (blowing dry air through the fitting) with a thermal field-based solution. The heating element uses thermal energy to melt frost deposits, and the resulting water is removed by a pump system. This substitution of mechanical air blowing with thermal processing and active fluid removal more effectively eliminates ice accumulation in dead spaces while reducing operational complexity.
3Loss of energy
If hoses are reheated to limit pressure buildup during overnight storage, then thermal ingress is controlled, but the hose must be cooled down again before the next use, lengthening fluid transfer times
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle applies preliminary action by maintaining the fitting at an optimal temperature throughout storage using a controlled heating element. Instead of allowing the fitting to cool down overnight and then requiring reheating and subsequent cooling before use, the system continuously maintains the fitting at a temperature that prevents excessive pressure buildup while avoiding the need for post-storage cooling. This eliminates the time loss associated with temperature cycling.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element operates continuously or in controlled intervals during storage to maintain the fitting at a stable temperature. This continuous thermal management prevents the temperature fluctuations that would otherwise require the hose to be cooled down before the next use. The system sustains the useful state (temperature control) throughout the entire storage period, eliminating downtime and maintaining readiness for immediate use.
4Device complexity
If conventional Johnston type fittings are used, then no special heating is required, but purging and heating are necessary compared to self-sealing fittings
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by automatically performing the purging and heating functions that would otherwise be required for conventional fittings. The heating element autonomously heats the fitting to prevent frost buildup, and the pump system automatically removes condensate. This eliminates the need for manual purging operations and reduces the time required for heating, while the self-sealing fitting design inherently prevents leakage without requiring complex external systems.
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 receptacle efficiently heats and dries the fittings between uses, reducing frost/ice accumulation, shortening refueling times, and minimizing leaks by maintaining a sealed environment during transport and connection.
Implementation Method 1
the heating element, for example, a heating element and a source of pressurized drying gas or an end intended to be connected to a source of heated pressurized drying gas
Implementation Method 2
the drying module comprising a circulation channel for the flow of drying gas
Implementation Method 3
the receptacle comprising a set of sealing gasket(s) configured to cooperate with the fitting and isolate the internal volume of the sleeve from the outside of the sleeve
Implementation Method 4
the tubular sleeve is thermally insulated, for example, with a double-walled structure insulated by vacuum between the walls
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a receptacle for receiving a cryogenic filling fitting between two uses, the receptacle (1) comprising a tubular sleeve (2) having an inlet (5) and a bottom (4) and delimiting a tubular housing configured to accommodate a fitting (3) of generally cylindrical shape, characterized in that the tubular sleeve (2) is thermally insulated and in that the bottom (4) is located above its inlet (5) in the configuration of use so that the terminal end of the fitting (3) is kept oriented upwards in the stored position in the receptacle.