Cryogenic Fluid Pumping Installation With Rigid Upper-Frame Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryogenic pumps face issues with torque transfer and mechanical strength when oriented vertically, leading to vibration and fatigue problems, and existing solutions like hydraulic cylinders and roller screw actuators are not suitable for high-pressure applications.
Innovation Solution
The mechanical transformation system is rigidly fixed to an upper frame, with the motor and mechanical components suspended from this frame, allowing torque to be transferred without harming the structure, and the system is designed for vertical operation with flexible connections to absorb thermal contractions and vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pump is oriented vertically with the piston axis vertical, then the pump is suitable for continuous operation in hydrogen refueling stations, but torque is transferred through the cardan shaft to the mechanism causing vibration and fatigue problems
Solution Approach 1:
A cardan joint is introduced as an intermediary element between the motor shaft and the mechanical transformation system. This cardan joint serves as a mediator that accommodates angular misalignment and reduces torque transmission to the mechanism, thereby minimizing vibration and fatigue while preserving the vertical orientation needed for continuous operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If a cardan system is used to transmit torque, then optimal assembly without restrictive tolerances is achieved, but the mechanism casing must withstand significant torque causing structural strength issues
Solution Approach 1:
The torque transmission function is extracted from the mechanism casing and transferred to a dedicated cardan joint system. By separating the torque transmission path from the mechanism casing, the casing is relieved of excessive torque loads, allowing for reduced structural strength requirements while maintaining ease of assembly through the cardan system.
3Ease of operation
If hydraulic cylinders are used to position the pump vertically, then vertical positioning is achieved, but the overall layout and efficiency are not suited for the application
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic cylinder system is replaced with a direct mechanical mounting system where the pump is rigidly fixed to the engine frame. This substitution eliminates the complexity and inefficiency of hydraulic positioning while achieving secure vertical positioning through robust mechanical attachment, thereby improving overall system efficiency.
4Volume of moving object
If roller screw linear actuator is used, then compactness is achieved, but the solution is not suitable for high-pressure cryogenic applications due to low efficiency and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The roller screw linear actuator is replaced with a more robust mechanical transformation system designed specifically for high-pressure cryogenic applications. While the new system may be slightly larger, it provides the necessary reliability and efficiency for continuous operation in demanding hydrogen refueling environments, sacrificing minimal compactness for significant gains in operational reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a cryogenic fluid pumping installation (1) that comprises a leak-tight enclosure (13) intended to contain a bath of cryogenic fluid, the enclosure (13) housing a compression chamber (3) communicating with the bath and a movable piston (5) for compressing the fluid in the compression chamber (3), the piston (5) being mounted at a first end of a rod (50), the installation (1) further comprising a drive mechanism (21) for driving a second end of the rod (50) reciprocally in a longitudinal direction (A), the drive mechanism (21) comprising a motor (121) provided with a rotary shaft (211) and a mechanical conversion system (212) for converting the rotary motion of the shaft (211) into a linear motion. In an operating configuration of the installation (1), the longitudinal direction (A) of movement of the rod (50) of the piston is vertical and the motor (21) is rigidly affixed to an upper frame (6, 26). The installation (1) is characterised in that the mechanical conversion system (212) is also rigidly affixed to an upper frame (6, 16) that includes the frame (6, 26) of the motor (121) or a separate frame rigidly linked to the frame (6, 26) of the motor (121).