Emergency Release Coupler Valve Structure for Cryogenic Static Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency release mechanisms for fluid loading equipment, such as those used for low-temperature fluids, face issues with static electricity charging on exposed resin parts and thermal transfer, which can lead to liquefaction of oxygen around the valve body when separating couplers.
Innovation Solution
The mechanism incorporates a pair of couplers with a vacuum double-pipe structure, a spring-urged valve body, a holding member with a resin block, and a metal operating member that accommodates the block, preventing static electricity and thermal transfer by using a metal operating member and a resin block to cover the distal end surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the distal end portion of the valve body is made of resin to suppress oxygen liquefaction, then thermal transfer is reduced, but static electricity charging occurs on the exposed surface
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body combines resin material for the distal end portion (to reduce thermal transfer and prevent oxygen liquefaction) with metal material for the operating member (to prevent static electricity charging). This composite structure allows each material to发挥 its advantageous properties while mitigating their respective disadvantages.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a metal operating member is used to prevent static electricity charging, then static electricity is suppressed, but thermal transfer increases leading to oxygen liquefaction
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the valve body are made from different materials with different thermal properties. The distal end portion exposed to the atmosphere is made of resin with low thermal conductivity to prevent oxygen liquefaction, while the operating member is made of metal to prevent static electricity charging. Each local region has optimized material properties for its specific function.
3Ease of operation
If the valve body is exposed to atmosphere during separation, then the opening is accessible for operation, but static electricity charges on the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The operating member serves as an intermediary between the operator and the valve body. It allows operation of the valve while being made of metal to prevent static electricity charging, and it accommodates the resin block that covers the distal end surface to maintain thermal insulation.
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
This configuration effectively prevents static electricity charging on the valve body's exposed surface and suppresses thermal transfer, ensuring the safety and integrity of low-temperature fluid handling by preventing oxygen liquefaction and maintaining the integrity of the resin block.
Implementation Method 1
a spring that urges the valve body toward the valve seat
Implementation Method 2
The surface of the distal end portion of the valve body tends to be charged with static electricity... the distal end portion of the valve body is made of a resin... liquefaction of oxygen around the distal end portion of the valve body can be suppressed
Implementation Method 3
an operating member made of a metal, the operating member accommodating the block... preventing the surface of a portion of the valve body of each coupler, the portion being exposed to the atmosphere, from being charged with static electricity
Data Source
AI summary
Each of a pair of couplers includes: a vacuum double-pipe structure main part; a valve seat forming an opening through which a fluid flows; and a valve body in the main part. The valve body is configured such that, when separating the couplers, in each coupler, the body is brought into contact with the seat by a spring to close the opening, and when coupling the couplers, the body of each coupler is pressed by the body of the other coupler to move away from the seat and open the opening. The valve body includes: a holding member holding a sealing material sealing between the body and the seat when the body is in contact with the seat; a resin block covering a distal end surface of the holding member; and a metal operating member accommodating the block and protruding from the holding member to pass through the opening.