Cryogenic Pipe Insulation Assembly for Leak-Tight Thermal Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulation devices for low-temperature pipes fail to prevent gas leakage through junction lines and allow gaps to form between connected sections due to thermal contraction and expansion, leading to potential accidents and inefficiencies in gas transfer.
Innovation Solution
The insulation device employs a layered structure with primary, secondary, and tertiary insulation materials, including low-density and high-density foam materials, and specialized contact surfaces with protrusions and recesses to maintain contact and accommodate thermal changes, along with finishing covers and connector rings to ensure secure coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If insulation materials are bonded together to form a complete covering, then insulation coverage is improved, but junction lines create pathways for cold gas leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the junction configuration where the end surface of one insulation material protrudes from the end surface of the adjacent insulation material. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that the junction line does not form a continuous straight path, thereby preventing cold gas leakage while maintaining complete insulation coverage.
2Reliability
If insulation devices are connected in an aligned relationship to surround long pipes, then coverage is improved, but gaps form between connected sections when pipes contract due to thermal changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by configuring the insulation materials with protruding end surfaces that can dynamically adjust to pipe contraction and expansion. When the pipe contracts due to thermal changes, the protruding configuration maintains continuous contact between connected insulation devices, preventing gap formation while allowing for dimensional changes.
3Ease of manufacture
If junction lines of multiple insulation materials are arranged in aligned contact, then assembly is simplified, but cold gas leakage increases through the aligned junction lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by introducing asymmetry in the junction configuration where one insulation material's end surface protrudes from the other. This maintains relative simplicity in assembly while effectively breaking the aligned junction line pathway that would otherwise facilitate cold gas leakage.
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 configuration significantly reduces gas leakage and prevents gaps between connected sections, ensuring reliable insulation and secure assembly of low-temperature pipes during contraction and expansion.
Implementation Method 1
when a low-temperature material of about -200°C flows into the pipe, the pipe 10 contracts in the lengthwise direction
Implementation Method 2
the low-density foam insulation material may contract in response thereto, and when the pipe expands in the lengthwise direction, the low-density foam insulation material may expand in response thereto
Data Source
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AI summary
An insulation device for a low-temperature pipe according to the present disclosure includes: a pair of primary insulation materials surrounding a first radially outer surface and a second radially outer surface of the pipe; a pair of secondary insulation materials surrounding outer surfaces of the primary insulation materials; a pair of tertiary insulation materials surrounding outer surfaces of the secondary insulation materials; a pair of finishing covers surrounding outer surfaces of the tertiary insulation materials; an out-profile coupled to each of the finishing covers so as to surround each of widthwise opposite ends of the finishing cover; and an in-profile coupled to each of the finishing covers so as to surround each of lengthwise opposite ends of the finishing cover, wherein the pair of secondary insulation materials are configured such that each of opposed contact surfaces thereof is formed in a shape bent at least one time.