Cryogenic Storage Vessel Pump Receptacle Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cryogenic storage vessels face challenges in securely mounting and removing cryogenic pump assemblies without draining the liquefied fuel, leading to dead volume and increased operational costs, especially in high horsepower applications where larger fuel flow rates require larger pumps with unique mounting and support requirements.
Innovation Solution
A double-walled cryogenic storage vessel design with a pump receptacle featuring an elongated outer and inner sleeve, a flexible fluid communication channel, and a valve system that allows for fluid flow control between the cryogen space and the receptacle space, enabling the pump assembly to be installed and removed without draining the fuel, while minimizing dead volume through a thermally insulating space and purge conduits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the pump assembly is installed extending into the cryogen space, then the pump can be maintained at cryogenic temperatures and start time is reduced, but the pump requires complex mounting and support structures to handle axial, transverse, radial, and rotational loads
Solution Approach 1:
The pump assembly is nested within the cryogen space by extending into it, allowing the pump to be maintained at cryogenic temperatures. The mounting structure integrates the pump within the existing vessel architecture, reducing the need for external support structures while maintaining load-bearing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump is positioned within the cryogen space where it is maintained at the same temperature potential as the surrounding environment. This eliminates thermal gradients and reduces thermal stress on mounting structures, simplifying the support requirements while maintaining pump performance.
2Ease of repair
If the pump assembly is removed for servicing, then maintenance can be performed, but the liquefied fuel must be drained from the large storage vessel which is time consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The pump assembly is designed to be extractable from the cryogen space through a dedicated opening or access point. This allows the pump to be removed for servicing without requiring drainage of the entire fuel storage vessel, significantly reducing maintenance time and cost while maintaining ease of repair.
3Ease of operation
If a flexible fluid communication channel is used to allow movement of the inner sleeve, then the pump assembly can be installed and removed easily, but the channel complexity increases compared to rigid piping
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible bellows-like channel is used to connect the inner and outer sleeves, allowing the inner sleeve to move axially for pump installation and removal. The flexible membrane structure provides fluid-tight sealing while accommodating movement, simplifying operation compared to rigid piping systems that would require complex disassembly.
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 design allows for secure mounting and efficient removal of the cryogenic pump assembly without draining the liquefied fuel, reducing dead volume and operational costs, and maintaining the efficiency of the cryogenic storage vessel, particularly in high horsepower applications.
Implementation Method 1
an outer vessel spaced apart from and surrounding the inner vessel, defining a thermally insulating space between the inner vessel and the outer vessel
Implementation Method 2
The fluid communication channel has a flexible construction that allows movement of the elongated inner sleeve relative to the elongated outer sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
A cryogenic storage vessel having an inner vessel defining a cryogen space; an outer vessel spaced apart from and surrounding the inner vessel, defining a thermally insulating space between the inner vessel and the outer vessel; and a receptacle defining passages for delivery of liquefied gas from the cryogen space to outside the cryogenic storage vessel. The receptacle has an elongated outer sleeve defining an interior space in fluid communication with the thermally insulating space that is sealed from the cryogen space; an elongated inner sleeve extending into the interior space defined by the elongated outer sleeve defining an inner receptacle space that is fluidly isolated from the thermally insulating space; and a collar extending around an inner surface of the elongated inner sleeve which seals against a cooperating surface of a pump assembly when a pump assembly is installed in the cryogenic storage vessel thereby dividing a warm end from a cold end of the receptacle. A motor for driving the pump can be installed within the cryogenic storage vessel.