Joint for high temperature fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current joints in high-temperature solar energy concentrator systems fail to maintain vapor-tightness between rotating and fixed conduits, leading to environmental damage, system inefficiencies, and high maintenance costs due to leakage of diathermic oil at high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A joint design featuring a fixed conduit with an elastic metallic bellows and dynamic seals, including a stuffing box device with a pressure sensor, to ensure secure connection and monitoring of pressure within the system, reducing leakage and facilitating maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional joints are used to connect rotating and fixed conduits, then the system can operate at high temperatures, but vapor leakage occurs causing environmental damage and system inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an elastic metallic bellows as a flexible sealing element that can deform to maintain contact with the rotating conduit while preventing vapor leakage. This flexible membrane structure adapts to thermal expansion and rotational movement, ensuring continuous vapor-tight sealing at high temperatures without the leakage problems of conventional rigid joints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the elastic properties of the metallic bellows, which change their physical parameters (flexibility, expansion) in response to temperature variations. The material's elastic modulus and dimensional stability are optimized to maintain sealing effectiveness across the operating temperature range, transforming thermal stress into controlled elastic deformation rather than leakage
2Reliability
If special joints are designed to ensure vapor-tightness at high temperature, then leakage is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated joint structure: the elastic metallic bellows simultaneously provides mechanical connection, thermal compensation, rotational flexibility, and vapor sealing. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed compared to conventional multi-element sealing systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The joint design incorporates a universal elastic metallic bellows component that performs multiple functions: structural support, thermal expansion accommodation, rotational movement allowance, and vapor sealing. This multi-functional element replaces several specialized components, simplifying the overall joint structure while ensuring vapor-tightness across varying operating conditions
3Ease of manufacture
If the joint structure is simplified, then ease of manufacture improves, but the ability to maintain vapor-tightness at high temperature deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic metallic bellows is manufactured as a monolithic formed component rather than an assembly of multiple parts, simplifying fabrication while maintaining sealing integrity. The bellows structure can be produced using standard metal forming techniques, and its flexible membrane design provides inherent vapor-tightness without requiring complex multi-component assemblies, thus achieving both ease of manufacture and reliable sealing
4Ease of repair
If monitoring devices are added to detect seal malfunctions, then maintenance is simplified, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a pressure sensor that provides real-time feedback on the sealing status of the joint. This monitoring device detects pressure changes that indicate seal malfunctions or leakage, enabling predictive maintenance. The feedback mechanism is integrated into the existing joint structure, allowing maintenance personnel to identify and address issues before they cause significant damage, thereby simplifying maintenance operations
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 joint effectively prevents vapor leakage, maintains system efficiency, reduces environmental impact, and simplifies maintenance by monitoring pressure and detecting potential seal malfunctions, thus enhancing the reliability and operational costs of solar energy concentrator systems.
Implementation Method 1
a fixed conduit (F) with an elastic metallic bellows
Implementation Method 2
at such temperatures, the diathermic oil passes into the vapor phase
Implementation Method 3
dynamic seals, including a stuffing box device
Data Source
AI summary
A joint for systems for transporting a high temperature heat-transfer fluid is provided. The joint includes a fixed conduit, a first sealing ring joined to the fixed conduit, a rotatable conduit in abutment with the sealing ring, and an outer casing delimiting a chamber. A contact region between the rotatable conduit and the first sealing ring is arranged in the chamber. The outer casing is sealingly engaged with the rotatable conduit by a second sealing ring and with the fixed conduit.