Double-Walled Pipe Coupling With Segmented Thermal Breaks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Double-walled pipes used for handling hot or cold fluids face heat ingress issues at couplings, which can affect the state of the fluid, particularly when dealing with low-temperature substances like liquid hydrogen, as traditional couplings disrupt insulation and create heat paths.
Innovation Solution
A coupling design for double-walled pipes with an inner and outer section, where the outer section's material is interrupted multiple times in a radial direction, forming pockets and spokes that increase the heat ingress path, thereby minimizing heat transfer through the radial direction and maintaining insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a traditional coupling with continuous material in radial direction is used, then the coupling provides structural strength and ease of manufacture, but heat ingress path is short and insulation is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling material in the radial direction is segmented into multiple discrete sections rather than being continuous. These sections are arranged radially with gaps between them, creating multiple interruptions in the radial path. This segmentation increases the heat ingress path length and reduces thermal conduction while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed arrangement of material sections.
2Loss of energy
If the outer section material is interrupted multiple times radially, then heat ingress path is increased and insulation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outer section is divided into multiple radially arranged material sections with gaps between them. This segmentation can be achieved through modular component assembly or by forming the coupling in sections that are subsequently joined, allowing the complex thermal performance to be achieved through standardized manufacturing processes for each section.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling structure employs nested sections where inner and outer radial sections are positioned concentrically. The inner section connects to the inner pipe while the outer section connects to the outer pipe, with both sections having radial interruptions. This nesting allows the complex multi-section structure to be manufactured as separate components that are then assembled together.
3Strength
If a flange reaching the inner pipe is used for connection, then structural strength is improved, but heat ingress path is created and insulation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a continuous flange structure, the coupling uses radially segmented material sections that extend toward the inner pipe but with intentional gaps. These segmented sections provide structural support and connection strength while the gaps create thermal breaks that prevent continuous heat conduction paths from the outer environment to the inner pipe carrying cryogenic fluids.
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 design significantly increases the heat ingress path, reducing heat transfer and maintaining insulation effectiveness, thus preserving the fluid's state, especially for low-temperature fluids like liquid hydrogen.
Implementation Method 1
a material of the outer section is interrupted in a radial direction multiple times in an area corresponding to a radial range between the inner wall and the outer wall... a heat ingress path is extended compared to a coupling having a continuous material in the radial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling for a double-walled pipe having an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall having an inner lumen, and the inner wall and the outer wall delimiting an outer lumen. The coupling comprises an inner section forming a passage in fluid communication with the inner lumen, and an outer section arranged radially adjacent to the inner section. A material of the outer section is interrupted in a radial direction multiple times in an area corresponding to a radial range between the inner wall and the outer wall. A further exemplary coupling may have an outer section that is interrupted multiple times in the longitudinal direction.