Fluid Transfer Coupling Purge and Vacuum Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid transfer couplings fail to effectively prevent contamination from harsh environmental substances, such as acids, caustic liquids, and seawater, particularly in applications like underwater cryogenic fluid transfer, where contamination can compromise sensitive components like fuel cells.
Innovation Solution
A fluid transfer coupling with a sealed interior space, equipped with a gas or steam purge inlet and a vacuum port, along with separate conduits for oxygen and hydrogen, and a gas barrier to prevent mixing, which allows for thorough purging and vacuum creation to remove contaminants and maintain a clean transfer environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If low volume quick connect couplings are used to minimize contaminant congregation space, then the volume for contaminant accumulation is reduced, but contaminants can still cling to mating surfaces due to surface active effects
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary purging actions before fluid transfer begins. A purge fluid is introduced through the purge inlet to flush contaminants from the sealed interior space and mating surfaces before the coupling is fully engaged for fluid transfer, preventing contaminant adhesion issues during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an inert purge fluid (such as nitrogen or other inert gas) into the sealed interior space to displace and remove contaminants. The inert atmosphere prevents chemical reactions and eliminates oxygen-containing contaminants that could affect sensitive fluid transfer processes
2Object-affected harmful factors
If mechanical components like plungers are used to remove residual contamination, then some contaminants can be removed, but surface active effects still allow contaminants to cling to mating surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical contamination removal mechanisms (such as plungers, scrapers, or rotating elements) with a fluid-based purging system. The purge fluid flows through channels and across mating surfaces to remove contaminants without requiring complex mechanical motion or contact, simplifying the overall coupling design
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic or hydraulic purge fluid flow to remove contaminants from the coupling interface. Pressurized purge fluid is directed through the sealed interior space and across mating surfaces, using fluid dynamics rather than mechanical force to achieve contamination removal
3Ease of operation
If couplings are designed for ease and reliability of connection, then connection speed and reliability improve, but contamination protection from harsh environments is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system separates the contamination protection function from the fluid transfer function. The sealed interior space with purge inlet/outlet forms one segment dedicated to contamination removal, while the mating surfaces and fluid conduits form another segment for rapid connection. This allows independent optimization of both functions
Solution Approach 2:
The purge fluid acts as an intermediary substance between the external environment and the internal fluid transfer space. It mediates by flushing contaminants from the interface zone before fluid transfer begins, allowing rapid connection while maintaining contamination protection through the intermediate purging action
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 effectively purges contaminants from the coupling, maintains a clean transfer environment, and prevents unintentional mixing of reactive gases, ensuring reliable and contamination-free fluid transfer, even in challenging environments like underwater applications.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling also includes a vacuum port in fluid communication with the sealed interior space for drawing a vacuum on the sealed interior space
Implementation Method 2
A gas or steam purge inlet and a purge outlet are disposed in fluid communication with the sealed interior space for purging potential contaminants out of the interior space
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid transfer coupling is described that includes first and second connectable coupling members that together contain a sealed interior space when connected. A gas or steam purge inlet and a purge outlet are disposed in fluid communication with the sealed interior space for purging potential contaminants out of the interior space. The coupling also includes a vacuum port in fluid communication with the sealed interior space for drawing a vacuum on the sealed interior space and optionally testing the space for an adequate seal. The first coupling member includes a first fluid transfer conduit and the second coupling member includes a second fluid transfer conduit. The first and second fluid transfer conduits are positioned such that they can be connected together within the sealed interior space when the first and second coupling members are connected.