Cryogenic Transfer Line Coupling With Compact Thermal Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermally insulated transfer lines for deep-cooled fluids, particularly those used with cryogenic tanks, face challenges in maintaining effective thermal insulation while minimizing space requirements, especially at coupling points where dynamic loads are involved.
Innovation Solution
A thermally insulated transfer line design featuring a process line with an insulation envelope and a vacuum space, where the coupling element includes a connecting sleeve arranged concentrically outside an end piece, which extends the heat transfer path to increase thermal resistance, and a sliding coupling sleeve for connection to the cryogenic tank, allowing for compact construction and enhanced thermal insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coupling element is provided to connect the transfer line to a cryogenic tank, then fluid-conductive connection is achieved, but the coupling element takes up a great deal of space to ensure thermal insulation in the region of the coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element employs a nested structure where the connecting sleeve is arranged concentrically around the end piece of the insulation envelope. The sliding coupling sleeve connects to the connecting sleeve, creating a multi-layer nested arrangement. This nesting allows the coupling element to maintain thermal insulation while minimizing the overall volume occupied by the coupling structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element transitions from a conventional radial insulation approach to a longitudinal extension approach. By extending the heat transfer path in the longitudinal direction through the concentric arrangement of the end piece and connecting sleeve, the design achieves thermal insulation without increasing the radial footprint, thus reducing the space requirement in the coupling region.
2Loss of energy
If the insulation envelope is extended into an end piece with a connecting sleeve, then thermal resistance is increased, but the structural complexity of the coupling element increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element is segmented into distinct functional components: the end piece (formed from the insulation envelope), the connecting sleeve (arranged concentrically around the end piece), and the sliding coupling sleeve (connecting to the connecting sleeve). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall thermal insulation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting sleeve serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the coupling element, extends the heat transfer path to increase thermal resistance, and provides a mounting surface for the sliding coupling sleeve. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby managing structural complexity while achieving thermal insulation goals.
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
This design achieves effective thermal insulation with minimal space usage at coupling points, increasing thermal resistance and accommodating dynamic loads, while maintaining a fluid-conductive connection between the transfer line and the tank.
Implementation Method 1
an insulation space, for example a vacuum space, is formed between the process line and the insulation envelope
Implementation Method 2
the connecting sleeve and end piece overlap axially in an overlap region... a heat transmission path from the process line towards the outside and towards the tank is extended and hence the thermal resistance increased
Data Source
AI summary
A thermally insulated transfer line for a deep-cooled fluid. The thermally insulated transfer line includes a process line for conduction of the fluid; an insulation envelope lying radially outside the process line and extending in a longitudinal direction of the process line; an insulation space arranged between the process line and the insulation envelope; and a coupling element provided at both ends of the thermally insulated transfer line, to connect the transfer line to a cryogenic tank, the coupling element being operable to attach the process line to a tank process line of the cryogenic tank and thereby establish a fluid-conductive connection between the process line and the tank process line. The coupling element includes an end piece, wherein the insulation envelope transforms into the end piece, and a connecting sleeve arranged concentric to and radially on an outside of the end piece so as to be attached to the end piece. The thermally insulated transfer line also includes a sliding coupling sleeve operable to connect the connecting sleeve to the cryogenic tank.