Retractable Vacuum Insulated Fitting Enclosure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cryogenic transfer hose fittings face challenges in achieving high-pressure insulation and convenient access for attachment and removal, as vacuum-jacketed fittings have low pressure limits, while high-pressure fittings lack insulation until connected and require cumbersome manual wrapping with insulating materials.
Innovation Solution
A retractable, insulative enclosure for high-pressure cryogenic transfer hose fittings that includes a tubular interface collar, bellows, pass-through collar, and slide cuff, allowing for axial displacement to expose the fitting for tool access and subsequent vacuum jacket formation for insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If vacuum-jacketed fittings are used for cryogenic insulation, then insulation effectiveness is improved, but pressure capability deteriorates (limited to 100-150 PSI)
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two functional segments: a vacuum-jacketed enclosure for insulation and a separate high-pressure fitting mechanism. The vacuum jacket (enclosure 10) provides thermal insulation while the connecting nut (22) and bellows (14) assembly handles high-pressure connections, allowing each component to optimize for its specific function without compromise.
2Stress or pressure
If threaded connective elements are used for high-pressure connections, then pressure capability is improved, but insulation effectiveness deteriorates (fittings must be left naked)
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows (14) provides dynamic movement capability, allowing the fitting to extend outward for tool access during installation, then retract into the vacuum jacket enclosure after connection. This dynamic positioning enables both high-pressure threading and thermal insulation to coexist, as the fitting is insulated only when retracted into the vacuum-sealed enclosure.
3Loss of energy
If vacuum jackets are used for fittings, then insulation is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates (no tool access for tightening)
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows (14) enables dynamic extension of the connecting nut (22) beyond the vacuum jacket enclosure, providing temporary tool access for tightening operations. After installation, the bellows can be compressed to retract the fitting back into the insulated enclosure, maintaining both insulation effectiveness and operational accessibility.
4Loss of energy
If manual wrapping with insulating materials is used for high-pressure fittings, then insulation is provided, but device complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum jacket enclosure (10) is a self-contained, pre-fabricated insulation system that integrates directly with the fitting assembly. It provides automatic insulation coverage when the bellows is compressed and the fitting is retracted, eliminating the need for manual wrapping operations and reducing installation complexity to simple mechanical assembly.
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 secure, high-pressure connections with convenient access and efficient insulation of cryogenic transfer hose fittings, overcoming limitations of existing vacuum-jacketed and high-pressure fittings by providing a retractable enclosure that forms a highly-insulative vacuum jacket.
Implementation Method 1
A tubular bellows is disposed within the interface collar and is fastened at a first longitudinal end to an interior of the interface collar. A second longitudinal end of the bellows is fastened to a pass-through collar
Implementation Method 2
Vacuums have been found to be very effective for providing cryogenic insulation. Thus, in order to achieve adequate insulation, conventional cryogenic transfer hoses are typically provided with a highly-insulative vacuum layer (commonly referred to as a 'vacuum jacket') intermediate a fluid transfer conduit and an outer jacket.
Implementation Method 3
A tubular interface collar mounted to the end of the outer jacket of the fluid transfer hose in an axially-abutting relationship therewith and forming an airtight seal therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
An enclosure for providing a fluid conduit and high-pressure fitting of a fluid transfer hose with a highly-insulative vacuum jacket and for providing convenient access to the fitting. The enclosure includes an interface collar mounted to an end of the transfer hose with the fluid conduit and the fitting extending therethrough, a bellows fastened at a first end to an interior of the interface collar and fastened at a second end to a pass-through collar, a tubular slide cuff mounted to the pass-through collar and extending over the bellows and the interface collar, and a connecting nut mounted to the pass-through collar. The slide cuff is axially displacable relative to the interface collar between a retracted position, wherein the connecting nut, the pass-through collar, and the bellows are refracted to expose and provide access to the fitting, and an extended position, wherein the fitting is entirely covered by the enclosure.