Double-Walled Fluid Conduit for Leak-Safe Cryogenic Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid assemblies with double containment structures face challenges in maintenance as they require interrupting the operation of one structure to perform tasks on the other, and are vulnerable to leakage if the secondary structure fails.
Innovation Solution
A fluid assembly design featuring a first conduit housed within a double-walled second conduit or tank, with interspaces that allow independent maintenance and insulation to prevent leakage, including vacuum, insulation, and pressurized inert gas in the interspaces for thermal and secondary containment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a double containment structure is used to prevent fluid leakage, then reliability is improved, but maintenance becomes difficult as one structure must be interrupted to service the other
Solution Approach 1:
The double containment structure is divided into multiple modular sections along its length, with each section capable of being accessed and serviced independently. The segments are connected through coupling mechanisms that allow one structure to be disconnected and serviced without removing the entire assembly, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling maintenance access.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner containment structure is nested within the outer containment structure, allowing the inner structure to be accessed by removing only specific sections of the outer structure. This nested arrangement enables maintenance of the inner structure without completely dismantling the outer structure, balancing reliability with maintenance accessibility.
2Reliability
If a double containment structure is used to provide fail-safe protection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple structures
Solution Approach 1:
The complex double containment structure is segmented into standardized modular units that can be manufactured independently and assembled systematically. Each module contains integrated components including couplings, insulation sections, and support elements, reducing overall structural complexity through standardization and modular assembly.
3Reliability
If the secondary structure is made robust to prevent leakage, then reliability is improved, but ease of repair worsens as the secondary structure must be removed to access the primary structure
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary containment structure is divided into removable segments with coupling mechanisms that allow easy disconnection. This segmentation enables the secondary structure to be partially removed or accessed at specific locations without dismantling the entire structure, maintaining leakage prevention while improving repair accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary structure incorporates pre-designed access points and removable sections that are prepared in advance during manufacturing. These preliminary design features allow maintenance personnel to quickly access the primary structure at predetermined locations without complex disassembly procedures, balancing robustness with ease of repair.
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
Enables maintenance of one component without disrupting the other and provides robust secondary containment, preventing fluid escape and maintaining thermal insulation, especially for cryogenic fluids.
Implementation Method 1
the first interspace contains a vacuum
Implementation Method 2
The vacuum provides thermal insulation between the inner wall and outer wall of the second conduit
Implementation Method 3
The pressurised fluid can flow from the second interspace if the inner wall of the second conduit or the second tank fails
Implementation Method 4
the second interspace contains a pressurised fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid assembly comprising: a first conduit extending in an axial direction and configured to carry a fluid, a double walled outer second conduit extending in the axial direction; the second conduit having an inner wall and outer wall and a first interspace between the inner and outer walls, wherein the first conduit is housed inside the second conduit to form a second interspace between the first conduit and the inner wall of the second conduit.