Vacuum-Insulated Pipe Coupling for Low Thermal Ingress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing couplings for insulated piping, particularly vacuum-insulated piping, suffer from thermal ingress issues, are heavy and expensive, and are not suitable for bends or junctions, while bayonet couplings require careful handling and are costly.
Innovation Solution
A coupling design with thermally-conductive and thermally-insulative portions that extend away from the flange, providing a long thermal path and reducing direct thermal conduction, combined with a thermally-insulative sleeve to inhibit heat transfer, and a thermally-driven engagement mechanism for enhanced sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a flanged coupling is used to connect insulated piping sections, then the coupling provides strong structural connection and ease of assembly, but it creates direct thermal conduction paths that allow heat ingress to the cold fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is divided into distinct thermally-conductive and thermally-insulative portions. The thermally-insulative portion is positioned between the flange and the interface second portion to block thermal conduction paths, while the thermally-conductive portion extends away from the interface to provide structural strength without direct thermal contact with the cold fluid interface.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the coupling are assigned different thermal properties: the thermally-conductive portion provides structural support and connection, while the thermally-insulative portion specifically blocks heat transfer to the cold fluid. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between needing strength and preventing thermal ingress.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a bayonet coupling is used to reduce thermal ingress, then thermal conduction is reduced, but the coupling becomes heavy and expensive requiring careful handling
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is segmented into functional portions with the thermally-insulative portion specifically designed to block heat transfer without requiring the heavy construction of traditional bayonet couplings. This allows thermal ingress reduction while maintaining lighter weight through targeted insulation rather than overall mass increase.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a long thermally-conductive path is provided between the flange and interface second portion, then thermal conduction to the cold fluid is reduced, but the coupling length increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the thermal path linearly along the coupling axis (which would increase length), the thermally-insulative portion is positioned radially between the flange and interface second portion. This creates a thermal barrier in a different dimensional orientation, blocking heat conduction without proportionally increasing the coupling's axial length.
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 design effectively reduces thermal conduction, maintains structural integrity, and ensures secure sealing, making it suitable for various pipe configurations including bends and junctions, while maintaining the cold temperature of the fluid.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the first and second parts comprises a thermally-conductive portion that extends away from the interface portion and which provides a thermally-conductive path between the flange and the interface second portion
Implementation Method 2
at least one (and preferably each) of the first and second parts comprises a thermally-insulative portion between the flange and the interface second portion, thereby providing a thermally-insulative path in a radial direction between the flange and the interface second portion
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling for vacuum-insulated piping is disclosed having first and second parts for forming the coupling; each of the first and second parts comprising an inner portion for fluid communication with an inner part of a vacuum-insulated pipe and an outer portion for fluid communication with an outer, low pressure part of a vacuum-insulated pipe; the inner portions of the first and second parts form an inner region for the passage of fluid therethrough; each of the first and second parts comprising an interface portion for forming an interface with interface portion of the other of the first and second parts, the interface portion comprising a flange for connecting the first and second parts; each of the first and second parts comprises a sleeve surrounding the outer portion, the sleeve comprising a thermally-conducting portion that is in thermal communication with the interface portion so as to conduct heat away from the interface portion.