Vacuum-Insulated Cryogenic Coupling With Spring-Driven Quick Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional emergency disconnect couplings are not suitable for vacuum-insulated cryogenic lines, as they do not allow for quick and safe separation, which is critical for preventing the escape of flammable media during accidents like a ship drifting off or a tanker truck moving away.
Innovation Solution
A plug-in coupling design featuring a coupling plug and socket with elastic means, such as coil springs, and guide columns to ensure rapid separation in emergency situations, preventing jamming and allowing for secure thermal insulation during connection and disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If two vacuum-insulated coupling halves are inserted far into each other for good thermal insulation, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but separation speed deteriorates due to increased friction and jamming risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces elastic means (springs) that store potential energy during assembly and release it during separation, dynamically converting stored energy into separation force to overcome the friction and jamming caused by deep insertion, thus enabling rapid separation while maintaining good thermal insulation during connected state
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic means are pre-compressed during assembly to store potential energy before separation is needed. This preliminary action of compressing the springs during coupling ensures that when separation is required, the stored energy immediately drives the rapid separation without requiring external force
2Speed
If conventional emergency disconnect couplings are used for rapid separation, then separation speed is improved, but thermal insulation performance deteriorates because they are not designed for vacuum-insulated lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the deep insertion design of vacuum-insulated couplings with the rapid separation capability of emergency disconnect couplings by integrating elastic means into the vacuum-insulated coupling structure, creating a hybrid solution that achieves both good thermal insulation and rapid separation
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling design serves multiple functions: it provides deep insertion for thermal insulation, stores elastic potential energy for rapid separation, and includes guide means for alignment. This multi-functional design makes it suitable for both normal operation with thermal insulation and emergency situations requiring rapid separation
3Speed
If elastic means are added to enable rapid separation, then separation speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic means are nested within the existing coupling structure, with springs positioned in receptacles formed in the coupling halves. This nesting approach integrates the additional functional elements into the existing design without requiring separate external components, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity
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 plug-in coupling enables quick and complete separation of vacuum-insulated cryogenic lines, minimizing the risk of media escape and maintaining thermal insulation, even in emergency scenarios, by utilizing elastic forces and guide columns to facilitate safe disconnection.
Implementation Method 1
Elastic means, which are tensioned when the plug-in coupling is assembled and which apply an elastic force to the coupling plug or coupling socket
Implementation Method 2
two double-walled vacuum-insulated pipes fit together... the outer surface is very well thermally insulated from the inner media-carrying pipe
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A plug-in coupling for connecting a first double-walled vacuum-insulated cryogenic conduit (103, 104) to a second double-walled vacuum-insulated cryogenic conduit (103, 104), wherein the plug-in coupling (100) comprises a coupling plug (101) and a coupling socket (102), wherein the coupling plug (101) has an inner and an outer tube section (111, 112) and a first connecting flange (109) and is connected to the first cryogenic conduit (103), wherein the coupling socket (102) has an inner and an outer tube section (133, 134) and a second connecting flange (132) and is connected to the second cryogenic conduit (104), wherein the coupling plug (101) can be inserted into the coupling socket (102), which are held in a connected state by fixing means (200, 201, 202), characterized in that a guide column (123) is attached to the coupling plug (101) or is arranged on the coupling socket (102), which is received in a guide means (142) on the coupling socket (102) or on the coupling plug (101),when the coupling plug is inserted into the coupling socket and elastic means (126) are arranged on the guide column (123) which are tensioned in the assembled state of the plug coupling and apply an elastic force to the coupling plug and coupling socket respectively, which tends to separate the coupling plug and coupling socket from each other.