Welded Nozzle for Cryogenic Tank Car Vacuum Insulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cryogenic tank cars with a tank within a tank design face issues with virtual leaks, which reduce the vacuum insulation and compromise the transportation of cryogenic liquids.
Innovation Solution
A welded nozzle configuration is introduced, where a single nozzle with a welded fittings plate allows all pipes to pass through, reducing the number of welds and minimizing the risk of virtual leaks by maintaining a consistent vacuum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate fittings plates with individual welds are used for each pipe, then each pipe can be independently connected, but the number of welds increases and the risk of virtual leaks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate fittings plates into a single integrated fittings plate structure. This single fittings plate contains multiple openings for different pipes, eliminating the need for multiple separate welds to the outer tank. The consolidation reduces the total number of weld joints, thereby minimizing potential virtual leak paths while maintaining reliable vacuum insulation.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single integrated fittings plate is used, then the number of welds is reduced and virtual leaks are prevented, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
While the fittings plate itself is integrated, the patent segments the connection points by providing distinct openings for different pipes at predetermined locations. This segmentation allows for standardized, pre-planned weld locations that can be manufactured with consistent precision, reducing the overall complexity compared to multiple separate fittings plates requiring multiple independent welding operations.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If multiple separate fittings plates are used, then leak detection is difficult, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple fittings plate functions into a single integrated component with multiple openings. This consolidation creates a unified structure where leak detection can be performed from a single location, eliminating the need to inspect multiple separate fittings plates and weld joints. The simplified structure makes it easier to detect and locate leaks while reducing the overall number of components.
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 solution effectively prevents virtual leaks, maintains the vacuum insulation, and simplifies leak detection, while also potentially reducing the weight and cost of cryogenic tank cars by minimizing the number of parts.
Implementation Method 1
A vacuum is applied to the annular space between the two tanks to provide insulation to the commodity transported within the inner tank
Implementation Method 2
The fittings plate is welded to the nozzle around the outer edge of the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
A tank for a railway tank car includes an outer tank, a nozzle, a fittings plate, and a set of pipes. The nozzle protrudes through the outer tank such that an outer edge of the nozzle extends past an exterior surface of the outer tank. An intersection between the nozzle and the outer tank defines an opening in the outer tank. The fittings plate is welded to the nozzle around the outer edge of the nozzle. The set of pipes pass through the fittings plate and into the outer tank through the nozzle. The set of pipes includes pipes to load and/or unload fluid from the tank.