Cryogenic Pipe Leadthrough Module for Thermal Expansion and Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryogenic containers face challenges in accommodating thermal expansion and contraction of inner and outer tanks, as well as vibrations, particularly in pipe runs between them, which affect operational reliability and compliance with manufacturing guidelines.
Innovation Solution
A pipe penetration module with a bend in the pipeline and sheathing tube design, allowing for thermal expansion compensation, vibration damping, and simplified welding, without requiring reinforcement of the inner tank, and incorporating features like thinner wall thickness, bellows tubes, and axial stiffeners for improved flexibility and stress distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a linear pipe penetration module is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the inner and outer tanks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by introducing a bend in the pipe penetration module instead of a straight linear configuration. This bend allows the pipe to flex and move relative to the inner and outer tanks during thermal expansion and contraction, accommodating dimensional changes while maintaining connection integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe penetration module is designed with a bend that enables dynamic movement and flexibility. The bent configuration allows the pipe to adapt its position and length dynamically in response to thermal expansion and contraction of the tanks, rather than being rigid and fixed.
2Reliability
If the pipe penetration module is made more flexible to compensate for thermal expansion, then thermal expansion compensation is improved, but vibration damping capability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible sheathing tube that envelops the pipe penetration module. This flexible sheathing structure provides both thermal expansion compensation through its flexibility and vibration damping through its ability to absorb and isolate vibrational energy, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and vibration resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheathing tube acts as an intermediary element between the pipe and the outer tank environment. It mediates the interaction by providing a flexible barrier that allows thermal movement while blocking vibration transmission, thus simultaneously addressing both thermal expansion compensation and vibration damping requirements.
3Reliability
If reinforcement of the inner tank is added to accommodate thermal expansion, then thermal expansion compensation is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing compliance are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the thermal expansion compensation function from the inner tank structure itself and relocates it to the pipe penetration module. By placing the bend and flexibility in the pipe rather than reinforcing the tank, the solution achieves thermal compensation without adding complexity to the inner tank, maintaining compliance with manufacturing guidelines.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe penetration module with its bent configuration serves as an intermediary that absorbs thermal expansion stresses. Instead of reinforcing the inner tank to handle these stresses, the bent pipe acts as a stress-absorbing intermediary element, achieving the same protective function with simpler overall device architecture.
4Ease of manufacture
If the pipe is extended further out of the casing to simplify welding, then welding simplicity is improved, but the pipe becomes more exposed to thermal and mechanical stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The sheathing tube provides a protective flexible shell that envelops the extended pipe portion. This sheathing structure protects the exposed pipe from thermal and mechanical stresses while allowing the pipe to extend outward for simplified welding operations, thus resolving the contradiction between welding accessibility and stress resistance.
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 design effectively compensates for thermal expansion and contraction, reduces vibration transmission, simplifies assembly, and maintains compliance with manufacturing guidelines while providing improved thermal insulation and reduced mechanical stress concentrations.
Implementation Method 1
the bend in the pipe within the casing allows for greater flexibility in the event of thermal expansion compared to linear pipe penetration modules. This effectively compensates for thermal expansion of both the inner and outer tanks.
Implementation Method 2
The bend in the outer casing and the pipeline allows for better damping of vibrations from the outer tank, preventing them from being transmitted to the inner tank.
Implementation Method 3
The inner tank is enclosed within the outer tank and thermally insulated from it, for example, by maintaining a vacuum between the two.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a pipe leadthrough module (7) for a cryogenic container (1) that has an inner tank (2) and an outer container (3) vacuum-isolated with respect to the inner tank, wherein the pipe leadthrough module (7) comprises a casing pipe (6) and a pipeline (5) at least partially accommodated in the casing pipe (6), wherein a first pipeline end (10) of the pipeline (5) passes through a first casing pipe end (8) of the casing pipe (6) such that the first pipeline end (10) can be rigidly connected to the outer container (3) and the first casing pipe end (8) can be rigidly connected to the inner tank (2), the pipeline (5) and the casing pipe (6) being rigidly connected to one another at a second casing pipe end (13), and the pipeline (5) and the casing pipe (6) each having a bend (17, 18) in a region between the first casing pipe end (8) and the second casing pipe end (13).