Cryogenic Transfer Line Sheath Tightness via Surface Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing transfer lines for cryogenic fluids in motor vehicles face challenges in accessing and checking the tightness of the vacuum sheath, especially in difficult-to-reach locations and during mobile operations, which affects the insulation quality and safety.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating temperature sensors on the surface of the sheath connected to a control unit to detect and assess the tightness of the vacuum sheath by measuring temperature changes, allowing for in-situ monitoring and determination of the sheath's integrity, even during vehicle operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If temperature sensors are installed on the sheath surface to enable continuous tightness monitoring, then the reliability of tightness detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical tightness checking systems with a thermal field-based detection system. Temperature sensors monitor the thermal field around the sheath, and control units analyze temperature differences to determine tightness status, substituting mechanical inspection methods with automated thermal sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer line system performs self-diagnosis regarding its own tightness status. The temperature sensors and control units are integrated into the existing transfer line structure, enabling the system to automatically monitor and assess its own vacuum sheath condition without requiring external inspection equipment or personnel.
2Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are distributed along the transfer line for comprehensive monitoring, then the measurement precision of tightness assessment is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer line is divided into multiple monitoring zones with temperature sensors distributed at different locations. Each sensor monitors a specific segment of the sheath, allowing localized tightness assessment. This segmentation enables precise identification of leak locations while using a manageable number of sensors to maintain cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements monitoring at critical locations rather than continuous coverage. Temperature sensors are strategically placed at connection points and sections prone to tightness issues, providing sufficient measurement precision for safety-critical areas without the excessive cost of complete continuous monitoring along the entire transfer line.
3Productivity
If the transfer line is installed in difficult-to-access locations to optimize vehicle space, then the productivity of the motor vehicle is improved, but the ease of operation for tightness checking deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces temperature sensors and control units as intermediary devices that bridge the gap between the inaccessible transfer line and the external monitoring system. These intermediaries are integrated into the transfer line structure at difficult-to-access locations, transmitting thermal data through signal lines to externally accessible control units for monitoring and assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
Physical access to the transfer line for manual tightness checking is replaced with automated thermal sensing and electronic monitoring. The system substitutes mechanical inspection requiring personnel access with remote electronic monitoring, allowing tightness assessment without physical access to the transfer line.
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
Enables cost-effective, automated, and efficient detection of insulation quality and potential leaks, facilitating timely shutdown measures and reducing the risk of cold spots and oxygen condensation, especially during installation and mobile use.
Implementation Method 1
one or more temperature sensors arranged on the surface of the sheath, the temperature sensor being operatively connected to a control unit at least via a signal line, the control unit being configured to detect, determine, asses, monitor, or measure the tightness of the sheath based on one or more signals of the temperature sensor that correspond to the detected temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer line that includes a process line for transporting a cryogenic fluid, to a motor vehicle, a motor vehicle having such a transfer line, and a computer-implemented method for determining the tightness of the sheath of such a transfer line. The transfer line includes a process line for transporting a cryogenic fluid, a sheath arranged to surround the process line to define an insulation space between the process line and the sheath, one or more temperature sensors arranged on an outer surface of the sheath to detect a current temperature of the sheath; and a control unit operatively connected to the one or more temperature sensors. The control unit has one or more processors and a non-transitory memory operatively coupled to the one or more processors including a set of instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the control unit to determine, in response to receipt of a signal from the one or more temperature sensors that corresponds to the detected current temperature of the sheath, a tightness of the sheath relative to the process line.