Cryogenic Fluid Supply Device with Immersed Piston Pump

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for refueling vehicles with pressurized liquid hydrogen face challenges in achieving optimal temperature, pressure, and flow rate performance, particularly in industrial refueling applications where liquid hydrogen is pumped and then vaporized at high pressure.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a thermally insulated container with an internal reservoir and an external reservoir, utilizing a piston pump actuated by a linear actuator, and a discharge circuit with a discharge pipe immersed in the cryogenic liquid, ensuring continuous flow and maintaining cryogenic conditions through thermal insulation and a staggered pumping system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If liquid hydrogen is pumped and then vaporized at high pressure in industrial refueling applications, then refueling can be performed, but optimal temperature, pressure and flow rate performance cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefueling performanceVSAvoidtemperature, pressure and flow rate performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the system by maintaining cryogenic temperatures throughout the pumping and transfer process. The piston pump operates at cryogenic temperatures, and the discharge pipe remains immersed in liquid hydrogen to prevent vaporization. This parameter change from ambient temperature to cryogenic temperature enables optimal performance in temperature, pressure and flow rate for refueling applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite thermal insulation structures comprising multiple layers including vacuum insulation, reflective barriers, and thermal shields. This composite insulation system maintains cryogenic conditions in the discharge pipe and pumping system, enabling the liquid hydrogen to remain in liquid phase during transfer while achieving optimal refueling performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If a pumping system is used to transfer liquid hydrogen, then mass flow can be controlled, but cryogenic conditions may not be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemass flow controlVSAvoidcryogenic conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested insulation structure where the discharge pipe is placed inside the liquid hydrogen reservoir, and multiple insulation layers are nested around the pipe. This nested configuration ensures that the discharge pipe and pumping system remain surrounded by cryogenic liquid hydrogen, maintaining low temperatures while enabling controlled mass flow through the piston pump

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous cryogenic cooling by keeping the discharge pipe immersed in liquid hydrogen throughout the transfer process. The piston pump operates continuously with staggered operation of multiple pumps, and the thermal insulation maintains cryogenic conditions continuously, preventing temperature rise and phase change during mass flow control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 provides controlled mass flow profiles and maintains cryogenic conditions during liquid transfer, optimizing temperature and pressure performance for efficient refueling.

Implementation Method 1

a thermally insulated container composed of an internal reservoir delimiting a volume configured for storing cryogenic liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

a piston pump actuated by an actuator, preferably linear... configured to pump the cryogenic liquid therein

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiston pump mechanical action: Pump

Implementation Method 3

a discharge circuit configured to transfer the cryogenic liquid pumped by the pumping system out of the internal tank... a portion of the discharge pipe being immersed in the cryogenic liquid to be pumped

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4455537B1Device for supplying cryogenic fluid and tank filling facility
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 LAIR LIQUIDE SA POUR LETUDE & LEXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE
  • EP4455537B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4455537B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4455537B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for supplying cryogenic fluid under pressure, comprising a thermally insulated container consisting of an internal reservoir (2) for the cryogenic liquid to be pumped, for example hydrogen, and an external reservoir (3) by delimiting a sealed volume around the internal reservoir (2), the internal (2) and external (3) reservoirs extending vertically and being closed at their upper ends by a set of cover(s) (11, 12, 13), the device (1) comprising a pumping system (9, 10) mounted on the set of cover(s) (11, 12, 13) and comprising a lower end housed in the internal reservoir (2) for pumping the cryogenic liquid, the device (1) further comprising a cryogenic liquid supply circuit (4) to supply the internal reservoir (2) and a discharge circuit (7) to transfer the cryogenic liquid pumped by the pumping system (9, 10) outside the internal reservoir (2),the pumping system comprising at least one piston pump (9, 10) actuated by an actuator (19), preferably linear.