Serviceable Cryogenic Receptacle Valve Assembly for Low Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing receptacles for handling cryogenic fluids like LNG and CNG vent significant amounts of gas into the atmosphere during the transfer process due to expansion and vaporization, leading to inefficiencies and environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
A receptacle design featuring a valve seat assembly with a poppet and spring retainer system that minimizes fluid venting by using a unique packing configuration and geometry to create a tight seal, allowing for efficient fluid transfer while reducing atmospheric emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a traditional receptacle design is used for transferring cryogenic fluids, then the transfer process is simple, but significant amounts of gas are vented into the atmosphere due to expansion and vaporization
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is divided into multiple functional zones: a liquid receptacle portion for receiving liquid fluid, a vapor receptacle portion for capturing vaporized gas, and a separation interface. This segmentation allows different phases of the fluid to be contained separately, preventing atmospheric venting while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly is nested within the receptacle structure, with the poppet valve integrated into the wall portion that separates the liquid and vapor receptacle portions. The spring retainer and packing are nested within the valve seat assembly, creating a compact configuration that reduces overall complexity while achieving the dual function of sealing and vapor containment
2Reliability
If a tight seal is maintained under cryogenic conditions, then fluid transfer efficiency is improved, but the receptacle becomes more difficult to service
Solution Approach 1:
The valve seat assembly, including the packing and poppet valve, is designed as an extractable unit that can be removed from the receptacle through the open top. This allows the sealing components to be taken out for inspection, maintenance, or replacement without disassembling the entire receptacle structure, thereby maintaining seal integrity while improving serviceability
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle is designed with a pre-configured valve assembly that provides reliable sealing under cryogenic conditions from the outset. The packing material and poppet valve are pre-positioned to ensure proper seal engagement, eliminating the need for complex adjustment procedures during servicing while maintaining consistent seal integrity
3Productivity
If a poppet valve system is used to control fluid flow, then fluid transfer is efficient, but the valve components are difficult to access for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The poppet valve, spring retainer, and packing are configured as a removable assembly that can be extracted from the receptacle through the open top. This extraction capability provides direct access to all valve components for maintenance, inspection, or replacement without requiring disassembly of the receptacle body, thereby maintaining efficient fluid transfer operation while dramatically improving accessibility for servicing
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 receptacle design significantly reduces fluid venting into the atmosphere, enhances serviceability, and maintains a tight seal even under cryogenic conditions, improving the efficiency and environmental impact of fluid transfer processes.
Implementation Method 1
Spring 7 is also disposed inside body 1 and provides a spring force against poppet 2
Implementation Method 2
The packing, which may be referenced as a seal, may be disposed in the inner annular groove
Implementation Method 3
The plurality of second inner surfaces may include one or more arced surfaces and one or more flats or, more generally, any shape suitable for torque application
Data Source
AI summary
A receptacle for conveying fluid is disclosed. An example receptacle includes a main body defining an inlet and an outlet, a spring retainer disposed in the main body, a valve seat disposed in the main body, and a poppet configured to slide between a closed position and an open position. The poppet is slidably engaged with the spring retainer between the closed position and the open position and is engaged with the valve seat in the closed position. The example receptacle also includes a spring engaged with the spring retainer and the poppet to bias the poppet to engage the valve seat in the closed position. The spring retainer, the valve seat, the poppet, and the spring are removable from the main body via the inlet without disassembling the main body.