Cryogenic Vapor Plug Locking for Secure Venting Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic storage vessels face issues with vapor plugs dislodging during transit, leading to increased thermal transmission and potential spillage due to free movement, which compromises temperature maintenance and content integrity.
Innovation Solution
A vapor plug locking mechanism featuring a neck ring with a cylindrical wall and protruding annular boss, combined with a flexible interference flange and handle, ensures secure retention of the vapor plug by engaging with a discontinuous edge and allowing controlled release of gases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the vapor plug moves freely to allow venting of gases, then gas venting function is improved, but the vapor plug may be dislodged during sudden movements causing thermal transmission and temperature increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vapor plug incorporates a flexible interference flange that can dynamically adjust its position - remaining flexible to allow gas venting while becoming rigid when engaged with the neck ring to prevent dislodgment. The flange transitions between flexible and locked states based on operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The neck ring acts as an intermediary component between the vapor plug and the storage vessel neck. It provides a mechanical interface with a discontinuous edge that selectively engages the flexible interference flange, enabling both retention and controlled release functions.
2Reliability
If the vapor plug is retained securely to prevent dislodgment, then temperature maintenance is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the flexible interference flange integrated into the vapor plug, the neck ring with discontinuous edge engagement features, and the guidance ramp. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible interference flange utilizes a thin, flexible structure that can elastically deform to engage and disengage from the neck ring. This flexible element provides the locking function without requiring complex mechanical assemblies, hinges, or fasteners.
3Strength
If the flexible interference flange is made more rigid to improve engagement, then retention strength is improved, but the ability to allow controlled release through manipulation of handle is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible interference flange's mechanical properties are optimized to exhibit sufficient rigidity for engagement strength while maintaining adequate flexibility for controlled release. The material and geometry are selected so that the flange can elastically deform under handle manipulation forces yet maintain strong engagement under normal operational loads.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method and apparatus, and/or device is provided for securing a vapor plug on a cryogenic storage vessel. The vapor plug locking mechanism includes a vapor plug and a cryogenic storage vessel. The vapor plug has a first interlocking feature. The cryogenic storage vessel has an opening and a neck ring around the opening. The neck ring has a second interlocking feature. The first interlocking feature is configured to selectively overlap the second interlocking feature, wherein the two features selectably engage to retain the vapor plug to the cryogenic storage vessel.