Cryogenic Pipe Connection Assembly With Short-Insertion Leak Detection

The patent utilizes differential thermal expansion between the male connector (low expansion material) and female connector (high expansion material) to create a tight mechanical connection. When cryogenic fluid flows through the pipe, the female connector retracts onto the male connector, ensuring watertight sealing without requiring excessive insertion length. This resolves the contradiction by using material property differences rather than geometric length to achieve reliability.

The patent introduces O-rings as intermediary sealing elements between the connected ends of adjacent pipes. These O-rings provide the watertight connection function, allowing the connectors to be rigid yet the insertion length to be minimized. The O-rings mediate the sealing function, separating the reliability requirement from the geometric constraints of the connection assembly.

The patent uses differential thermal expansion to create a tight mechanical connection that is both rigid and adaptable. The male connector (low expansion) and female connector (high expansion) create a secure connection when cold, ensuring watertight reliability, while the connection design allows for adaptation to restricted spaces through optimized geometry and the use of flexible mounting configurations.

The patent applies different material properties locally - the male connector uses low expansion material while the female connector uses high expansion material. This local differentiation of material quality enables the connection to be both rigid (for watertight sealing) and adaptable (through differential movement characteristics) depending on the local thermal and mechanical conditions.

The patent implements thermal insulation chambers nested between the inner tube and outer wall of the pipeline. The insulation chamber is placed within the annular space created by the concentric tubes, creating a nested structure that maintains cryogenic temperatures without adding external bulk. This nesting approach resolves the contradiction by integrating the insulation function within the existing pipeline geometry rather than adding separate external insulation layers.

The patent uses vacuum as an inert environment within the thermal insulation chamber. By evacuating the space between the inner tube and outer wall, the system creates a thermally inert barrier that maintains cryogenic temperatures effectively. This vacuum insulation approach reduces thermal conduction and convection, maintaining temperature without requiring complex active cooling systems or thick insulation layers.