Insulated Cryogenic Line Coupling for Icing-Free Quick Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic fluid line couplings often lack effective thermal and electrical insulation, leading to icing and increased fire risk due to oxygen condensation, and existing solutions are complex, bulky, or impractical for emergency separation and electrical insulation.
Innovation Solution
A coupling arrangement with thermally insulated, vacuum-insulated lines and a covering that provides thermal insulation, includes locking mechanisms for tool-free connection and separation, and incorporates electrical insulation to prevent oxygen condensation and ensure safe fluid transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If couplings are not heat-insulated to simplify structure and reduce cost, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the external surface temperature drops causing icing and oxygen condensation
Solution Approach 1:
A covering made of thermally insulating material is introduced as an intermediary between the coupling and the external environment. This covering surrounds the coupling parts and prevents heat transfer, maintaining the external surface temperature above the oxygen condensation point without requiring the coupling itself to be thermally insulated
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal insulation function is separated from the coupling structure. Instead of insulating the coupling, a separate covering is provided that can be removed or adjusted, allowing the coupling to remain simple while still preventing harmful thermal effects
2Temperature
If vacuum insulation is applied to lines to prevent oxygen condensation, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but electrical insulation becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
An electrically insulating material is introduced as an intermediary between conductive line sections. This material provides both thermal insulation and electrical insulation functions, eliminating the need for separate electrical insulation measures in vacuum-insulated lines
Solution Approach 2:
The electrically insulating material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal insulation to maintain temperature, electrical insulation to prevent sparking, and structural support. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between thermal and electrical insulation requirements
3Temperature
If Johnston couplings with long intermeshing distances are used for thermal insulation, then thermal insulation is improved, but separation speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling connection is divided into two independent functions: thermal insulation provided by the removable covering, and mechanical connection provided by the coupling halves. This segmentation allows the coupling halves to have short intermeshing distances for rapid separation while the covering provides the thermal insulation
4Reliability
If complex triggering mechanisms are added to emergency separating couplings to improve reliability, then separation reliability is improved, but device complexity and insulation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex triggering mechanisms are extracted from the coupling structure. Instead of integrating complex mechanisms into the coupling, the invention uses simple, passive insulation coverings that can be easily applied and removed, maintaining emergency separation reliability without adding mechanical complexity
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 effectively prevents icing and fire risks by maintaining the external temperature above oxygen condensation, allows for safe and rapid separation of lines, and ensures electrical insulation, enhancing safety and efficiency in cryogenic fluid handling.
Implementation Method 1
The covering can be composed of thermally insulating material, or a cavity located between an inner and an outer surface of the covering can be filled with a thermally insulating material
Implementation Method 2
The thermal insulation of the fluid-conducting lines can comprise, for example, vacuum insulation with an inner pipe and an outer pipe, the intermediate space of which is evacuated
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling arrangement (100) for connecting thermally insulated, fluid-conducting lines (102, 104) has a coupling (101) comprising a first coupling part (106) and a second coupling part (108), and connecting means (110) for connecting the two coupling parts (106, 108). A covering (112) surrounding the coupling (101) is provided, which covering, on both sides of the coupling (101), in each case lies against the thermal insulation of the fluid-conducting lines (102, 104). A cavity (114) formed by the covering (112) is configured for thermal insulation between the coupling (101) and the exterior of the covering (112).