Double-Wall Pipe Connection with Thermal Expansion Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bayonet connection devices for hydrogen lines face challenges in maintenance due to the high vacuum requirements and require significant clearance for pipe routing, leading to increased length and mass of the hydrogen line.
Innovation Solution
A connection device with an exterior connection system that exerts a greater contact force on the exterior pipes in response to hydrogen leaks, eliminating the need for extensions and enlarged sections, and featuring a sleeve with a higher coefficient of expansion to enhance sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bayonet connection device is used with extensions and enlarged sections to strengthen sealing, then sealing efficiency is improved, but the length and mass of the hydrogen line increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the connection device by using a material with a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the pipes. This allows the connection device to expand more under thermal stress, dynamically increasing the clamping force on the pipes to maintain sealing efficiency without requiring extensions or enlarged sections, thereby reducing the mass of the hydrogen line.
2Reliability
If a bayonet connection device is used with extensions and enlarged sections to strengthen sealing, then sealing efficiency is improved, but the length of the hydrogen line increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the connection device by using a material with a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the pipes. This allows the connection device to expand more under thermal stress, dynamically increasing the clamping force on the pipes to maintain sealing efficiency without requiring extensions or enlarged sections, thereby reducing the length of the hydrogen line.
3Reliability
If a bayonet connection device is used requiring high vacuum levels, then sealing efficiency is improved, but maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the connection device automatically adjusts its clamping force in response to thermal stress. The material with higher thermal expansion coefficient causes the connection device to expand and increase clamping force when temperature rises, automatically compensating for potential leaks without requiring external intervention or high vacuum maintenance, thereby reducing maintenance complexity.
4Reliability
If a bayonet connection device is used with extensions and enlarged sections, then sealing efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the unnecessary extensions and enlarged sections from the connection device structure. By using a material with higher thermal expansion coefficient, the basic connection device structure itself becomes sufficient to maintain sealing through dynamic clamping force adjustment, removing the need for additional structural elements and thereby reducing device complexity.
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 solution improves the sealing efficiency and reduces maintenance complexity by dynamically adjusting the clamping force in response to leaks, while also minimizing the spatial and mass requirements for pipe routing.
Implementation Method 1
featuring a sleeve with a higher coefficient of expansion to enhance sealing
Data Source
AI summary
A device for connection of double-wall pipes including an interior connection system connecting the first and second interior pipes and an exterior connection system including a first part that cooperates with an end section of the first exterior pipe and a second part that cooperates with an end section of the second exterior pipe. The exterior connection system is configured so that at a first temperature at least one of the first and second parts exerts a contact force on the end section of the corresponding first or second exterior pipe greater than at a second temperature higher than the first temperature.