Low-Temperature Conduit Coupling With PTFE Seals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Line couplings used for handling low-temperature media face issues such as 'cold loss' and freezing moisture, leading to pressure fluctuations and sluggish operation due to heat ingress causing vaporization and ice formation, which existing technologies fail to adequately address, especially in smaller applications like truck tankers and ships.

Innovation Solution

A line coupling design featuring coupling pins in a coupling groove, a spring-loaded poppet valve with a conical valve seat, and expanding lip seals made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or PTFE-containing materials for thermal insulation and ice prevention, along with a piston valve mechanism and thermal barrier coatings to minimize heat penetration and ice adherence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional line couplings are used for low-temperature media, then media can be transported, but heat ingress causes vaporization and pressure fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelow-temperature media handlingVSAvoidpressure stability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling is divided into thermally isolated sections with insulation layers between the outer shell and inner valve body, creating thermal barriers that segment the heat transfer path and protect the media from external heat ingress

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Thermal insulation layers act as intermediary substances between the external environment and the low-temperature media, blocking heat transfer and preventing vaporization while allowing the media to flow through the coupling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If conventional couplings are used at low temperatures, then media flow is enabled, but moisture freezing causes sluggish operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling operation smoothnessVSAvoidice formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

PTFE coatings are applied to surfaces where ice formation is problematic, converting the harmful freezing effect into a beneficial non-adhering surface where ice does not stick, allowing smooth operation even in frozen conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) material is used as a composite coating on sealing and moving surfaces, providing both sealing capability and ice-release properties that prevent moisture freezing from causing operational problems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If standard sealing materials are used, then sealing is achieved, but materials become brittle and lose elasticity at low temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidseal material elasticity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing material's temperature parameter is changed by selecting PTFE, which maintains its elastic and sealing properties at low temperatures unlike conventional materials that become brittle, ensuring reliable sealing in cryogenic conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Loss of energy

If thermal insulation is added to protect against heat ingress, then vaporization is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat lossVSAvoidcoupling structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling employs a nested structure where the inner valve body is positioned within an outer shell, with insulation layers nested between them, creating a compact multi-layer construction that provides thermal protection without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 seals and operates at low temperatures, preventing media loss and ice formation, ensuring smooth operation and reliability even in harsh conditions, suitable for smaller sizes and applications.

Implementation Method 1

a spring-loaded valve disc that abuts a conical valve seat to normally shut off the passage of media through the valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The inside of the valve can be protected against penetrating heat by a thermal insulation layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

an expanding ring spring that presses the sealing lip radially outwards against the wall of the valve housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 4

The thermal barrier coating may contain polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to provide good anti-friction properties against cooperating elements, which is also useful in the event of icing since ice does not adhere to polytetrafluoroethylene

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2859263B1Low-temperature conduit coupling

Publication Date: 2017.02.01 VON KEITZ ANDREAS

AI summary

Conduit coupling for low-temperature applications, having two coupling halves (1, 2) that are furnished with a poppet valve (20) of a stem-actuated valve (40) in order to open during the coupling process. The stem-actuated valve (40) has a piston (410) that seals with a spreading lip gasket (51).