Tubular Piston Compression Apparatus for Cryogenic Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic pumps face issues with high dead volume, leakage losses, and complex maintenance due to dual high-pressure seal systems, which complicate assembly and increase energy consumption and evaporation losses.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic fluid compression apparatus with a tubular piston design featuring a central guide and a single high-pressure dynamic sealing system at one end, where the compression chamber is entirely contained within the piston, minimizing dead volume and reducing leakage by separating cold and hot fluid flows vertically, thus simplifying maintenance and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dual high-pressure seal system is used in cryogenic pumps, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts one of the two seal systems from the traditional dual-seal configuration, retaining only a single high-pressure seal at the discharge end. This eliminates the complex low-pressure seal system while maintaining adequate sealing through the single seal design, thereby reducing device complexity and maintenance requirements while preserving essential sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of sealing both ends of the compression chamber as in traditional designs, the patent inverts the approach by sealing only the discharge end (high-pressure side) and allowing the suction end to remain open or use a simpler seal arrangement. This inversion reduces complexity while maintaining reliability where it matters most.
2Productivity
If dead volume in compression chamber is reduced, then volumetric efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested design where the piston is positioned within the compression chamber such that the piston head directly forms part of the compression volume boundary. This nesting arrangement minimizes the gap or dead volume between the piston and chamber walls, maximizing volumetric efficiency while using standard manufacturing tolerances through careful geometric design.
3Ease of repair
If single high-pressure seal system is used, then maintenance simplicity is improved, but leakage losses may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of reduced sealing (from having only one seal instead of two) into a benefit by strategically positioning the single seal at the high-pressure discharge end where it can effectively control leakage. The seal design incorporates features that convert potential leakage paths into controlled flow paths, minimizing substance loss while maintaining maintenance simplicity.
4Productivity
If compression chamber is contained within piston, then dead volume is reduced, but piston structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the piston structure with the compression chamber boundary by making the piston head form part of the chamber wall. This consolidation eliminates separate components and reduces overall structural complexity while achieving the goal of minimizing dead volume. The piston serves dual functions: as the moving sealing element and as a structural boundary of the compression volume.
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 design enhances volumetric efficiency, reduces evaporation losses, and simplifies maintenance by minimizing the number of sealing systems, leading to improved durability and reduced energy consumption while maintaining high compression ratios.
Implementation Method 1
a movable piston (5) to ensure the compression of the fluid in the compression chamber (3)
Implementation Method 2
the device comprising a sealing system formed between the central guide (8) and the piston (5), along the longitudinal direction of translation of the piston (5)
Implementation Method 3
one or more check valves, one or more ports or openings, at least one flat disc valve or valve(s) configured to ensure the entry of fluid to be compressed into the compression chamber during an admission phase and to prevent the exit of fluid during the compression phase
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a fluid compression apparatus (1) comprising a housing having a compression chamber (3), an intake system (2) communicating with the compression chamber (3) which is configured to allow fluid to be compressed into said compression chamber (3), and a mobile piston (5) for ensuring the compression of the fluid in the compression chamber (3). The apparatus (1) further comprises a discharge port (7) which is configured to allow the exit of compressed fluid from the compression chamber (3), the compression chamber (3) being defined by a portion of the body of the piston (5) and a fixed wall of the apparatus (1), the piston (5) being translationally mobile along a longitudinal direction (A). The invention is characterized in that the piston (5) has a tubular portion mounted around a fixed central guide (8), a first terminal end of the central guide (8) forming the fixed wall delimiting a part of the compression chamber (3). The apparatus (1) also comprises a sealing system (10) formed between the central guide (8) and the piston (5) according to the longitudinal direction (A) of translation of the piston (5), the intake system (2) being located at a first end of the apparatus (1), the discharge port (7) being located at a second end of the apparatus.