Vertical Cryogenic Piston Pump Seal Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic piston pumps with two compression stages suffer from high leakage losses and complex maintenance due to dual high-pressure seals, leading to increased manufacturing and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
The compression apparatus is designed with a vertical piston movement, where the intake system is at the lower end and the discharge orifice is at the upper part, reducing the need for dual high-pressure seals by positioning the second sealing system only at the lower end of the second compression chamber, and housing the apparatus in a sealed enclosure with cryogenic cooling fluid to minimize thermal mixing and leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If dual high-pressure seals are used in two compression stages, then the compression apparatus can achieve higher outlet pressure, but the leakage losses increase and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorients the piston movement from horizontal to vertical direction. This dimensional change allows the second sealing system to be positioned at the lower end of the second compression chamber rather than requiring seals at both ends, thereby reducing leakage paths while maintaining high outlet pressure capability
2Stress or pressure
If dual high-pressure seals are used in two compression stages, then the compression apparatus can achieve higher outlet pressure, but the device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the second sealing system from its traditional position at the second end of the second compression chamber and relocates it to the lower end. This extraction and repositioning eliminates the need for a seal at the upper end, simplifying the overall sealing architecture while preserving high-pressure performance
3Stability of the object's composition
If the piston moves horizontally in traditional configuration, then the sealing systems can be positioned at both ends of the compression chamber, but the separation of cold and hot regions is poor leading to thermal mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the piston movement direction from horizontal to vertical, creating distinct upper (hot) and lower (cold) regions. This vertical orientation naturally separates the intake of cold cryogenic fluid at the lower end from the discharge of compressed fluid at the upper end, minimizing thermal mixing while simplifying seal placement
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 reduces manufacturing and maintenance complexities, minimizes leakage losses, and enhances the separation of cold and hot regions, improving the overall efficiency and reliability of the cryogenic fluid compression process.
Implementation Method 1
The apparatus is housed in a sealed enclosure with cryogenic cooling fluid to minimize thermal mixing and leaks
Implementation Method 2
The apparatus is housed in a sealed enclosure with cryogenic cooling fluid to minimize thermal mixing and leaks
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a fluid compression apparatus having a plurality of compression stages, comprising a first compression chamber, a second compression chamber, an intake system communicating with the first compression chamber which is configured to allow fluid to be compressed into said first compression chamber, a transfer system configured to allow in an open position the transfer of fluid from the first compression chamber to the second compression chamber, a mobile piston for ensuring the compression of the fluid in the first and second compression chambers. The apparatus further comprises a discharge port which communicates with the second compression chamber and is configured to allow the exit of compressed fluid, the piston being translationally mobile in a longitudinal direction, wherein the first compression chamber is defined by a fixed lower cavity, a lower end of the piston and a first sealing system formed between the piston and a wall of the cavity, wherein the second compression chamber is defined by a fixed upper cavity, an upper end of the piston and a second sealing system formed between the piston and a wall of the upper cavity. The invention is characterized in that, in the operating configuration of the apparatus, the longitudinal direction of translation of the mobile piston is vertical, the intake system being located at a lower end of the apparatus and the discharge port being located in an upper part of the apparatus above the transfer system.