THERMALLY INSULATED TRANSFER LINE WITH COUPLING ELEMENT

Abstract

A thermally insulated transfer line for a deep-cooled fluid. The thermally insulated transfer line includes a process line for conduction of the fluid; an insulation envelope lying radially outside the process line and extending in a longitudinal direction of the process line; an insulation space arranged between the process line and the insulation envelope; and a coupling element provided at both ends of the thermally insulated transfer line, to connect the transfer line to a cryogenic tank, the coupling element being operable to attach the process line to a tank process line of the cryogenic tank and thereby establish a fluid-conductive connection between the process line and the tank process line. The coupling element includes an end piece, wherein the insulation envelope transforms into the end piece, and a connecting sleeve arranged concentric to and radially on an outside of the end piece so as to be attached to the end piece. The thermally insulated transfer line also includes a sliding coupling sleeve operable to connect the connecting sleeve to the cryogenic tank.

Claims

1. A thermally insulated transfer line for a deep-cooled fluid, the thermally insulated transfer line comprising: a process line for conduction of the fluid; an insulation envelope lying radially outside the process line and extending in a longitudinal direction of the process line; an insulation space arranged between the process line and the insulation envelope; a coupling element provided at both ends of the thermally insulated transfer line, to connect the transfer line to a cryogenic tank, the coupling element being operable to attach the process line to a tank process line of the cryogenic tank and thereby establish a fluid-conductive connection between the process line and the tank process line, the coupling element comprising: an end piece, wherein the insulation envelope transforms into the end piece, a connecting sleeve arranged concentric to and radially on an outside of the end piece so as to be attached to the end piece, and a sliding coupling sleeve operable to connect the connecting sleeve to the cryogenic tank.

2. The thermally insulated transfer line of claim 1, wherein the end piece is at least partially formed by a bellows in an axial portion in which the end piece is surrounded by the connecting sleeve.

3. The thermally insulated transfer line of claim 1, wherein: the connecting sleeve is attached to the end piece via a welded connection that comprises a connecting sleeve weld point, and the connecting sleeve weld point is formed adjacent to an end of the connecting sleeve facing the insulation envelope.

4. The thermally insulated transfer line of claim 3, wherein the connecting sleeve weld point is formed on the end piece axially between the bellows and the insulation envelope.

5. The thermally insulated transfer line of claim 1, wherein the coupling element further comprises an end sleeve which is fluidically connected to the process line.

6. The thermally insulated transfer line of claim 1, wherein the coupling element further comprises a union nut which is operable to attach the process line to the tank process line such to form the fluid-conductive connection between the process line and the tank process line.

7. The thermally insulated transfer line of claim 1, wherein the sliding coupling sleeve is arranged concentrically radially on an outside of the end piece and/or the connecting sleeve and is axially movable relative to the end piece and/or the connecting sleeve.

8. The thermally insulated transfer line of claim 1, further comprising a nut arranged concentrically radially on an outside of the connecting sleeve and is operable to push the sliding coupling sleeve axially against a stop of the connecting sleeve and/or axially against a connecting flange of the cryogenic tank.

9. The thermally insulated transfer line of claim 1, wherein the end piece comprises a vacuum connector operable to form a vacuum in the insulation space or the insulation space.

10. The thermally insulated transfer line of claim 1, wherein the end piece has a coupling space vacuum connector operable to form a vacuum in the coupling space or the coupling space can receive an inert gas.

11. The thermally insulated transfer line of claim 1, wherein the process line and the insulation envelope, at least in portions along their extent in a longitudinal direction of the transfer line, collectively form a U-shape or a V-shape or a meandering form or a helical form.

12. The thermally insulated transfer line of claim 1, wherein the process line and the insulation envelope, at least at least 80% along their extent in a longitudinal direction of the transfer line, collectively form a U-shape or a V-shape or a meandering form or a helical form.

13. The thermally insulated transfer line of claim 1, wherein: the process line, at least in portions thereof, comprises a corrugated tube or corrugated hose, and/or the insulation envelope, at least in portions thereof, comprises a corrugated tube or corrugated hose.

14. The thermally insulated transfer line of claim 1, wherein: the process line and the insulation envelope are arranged concentric to one another at least in portions along their extent in a longitudinal direction of the transfer line, in which they collectively form a U-shape or a V-shape or a meandering form or a helical form.

15. The thermally insulated transfer line of claim 1, further comprising spacers arranged between the process line and the insulation envelope to maintain a distance between the process line and the insulation envelope, also at least in portions along their extent in a longitudinal direction of the transfer line, in which they collectively form a U-shape or a V-shape or a meandering form or a helical form.

16. The thermally insulated transfer line of claim 1, wherein a vacuum, and/or a solid insulation, and/or an inert gas, and/or a thermally reflective layer, is arranged in in the insulation space.

17. The thermally insulated transfer line of claim 1, wherein an absorbent material is arranged in the insulation space.

18. The thermally insulated transfer line of claim 1, further comprising a protective envelope that extends along and radially outside of the insulation envelope, the protective envelope formed as a cylinder casing.

19. The thermally insulated transfer line of claim 18, further comprising a damping material and/or an elastic material arranged between the protective envelope and the insulation envelope, at least in portions.

20. The thermally insulated transfer line of claim 18, wherein: the protective envelope comprises at least two envelope parts which are axially movable relative to each another, and the at least two envelope parts are connected together by a bellows, and/or a bush, and/or a sleeve, the at least two envelope parts are radially nested so that one envelope part slides radially inside or outside the other envelope part in an overlap portion.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0034] Embodiments will be illustrated by way of example in the drawings and explained in the description hereinbelow.

[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional view from the front of a thermally insulated transfer line according to the invention.

[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of a transfer line according to the invention along section A-A of FIG. 1 but without showing the coupling elements.

[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of a transfer line according to the invention along section A-A of FIG. 1 with coupling elements.

[0038] FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view of a transfer line according to the invention along section A-A of FIG. 1 with coupling elements and protective envelope.

[0039] FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view at one end of a transfer line according to the invention, in open state.

[0040] FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view of a coupling element at one end of a transfer line according to the invention according to FIG. 5, in a connected state.

[0041] FIGS. 7A to 7C respectively illustrate a sectional view of a coupling element of FIG. 5 in a three process steps on connection of the coupling element.

DESCRIPTION

[0042] FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional view from the front of a thermally insulated transfer line in accordance with embodiments. The transfer line comprises a radially inner process line 1 for conducting a fluid, in particular, hydrogen, and an insulation envelope 2 lying radially outside the process line 1, running or extending in the extent of the process line 1 and concentric to the process line 1. An insulation space 3 is provided between the process line 1 and the insulation envelope 2. The process line 1, the insulation envelope 2, and the insulation space 3 have a helical form in the longitudinal direction of the transfer line, as indicated in FIG. 1.

[0043] FIG. 1 furthermore illustrates a protective envelope 4 which is arranged radially outside the insulation envelope 2 and run or extend substantially in the longitudinal direction of the process line 1 and the insulation envelope 2. The protective envelope 4 does not have a helical form, but is formed flat, and thus, has a cylinder casing form.

[0044] FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 illustrate a side view of the transfer line of FIG. 1, corresponding to section A-A from FIG. 1. FIG. 2 does not illustrate the protective envelope 4. FIG. 3 illustrates, in addition to the process line 1 and insulation envelope 2, coupling elements 6 at both ends of the transfer line, in accordance with embodiments. FIG. 4 also illustrates a protective envelope 4, as in FIG. 1, running or extending over the entire length of the transfer line.

[0045] In accordance with embodiments, the innermost element of a transfer line is thus the process line 1, in particular, a corrugated pipe in which the deep-cooled fluid is transported. The process line 1 is surrounded by one or more concentric corrugated hoses, namely insulation envelopes 2, each of which is thermally insulated by an insulation space 3 and optional MLI from the respective next innermost corrugated hose. The distance between the hoses of the process line 1 and the insulation envelope 2 is guaranteed by a suitable device, e.g. spacers, which may, for example, run or extend in the longitudinal direction of the transfer line. In addition, absorption means may be placed in the insulation space 3 to enhance the long-term stability of the vacuum. The ends of the transfer line are terminated with corresponding fittings or connections, in particular, the coupling elements 6.

[0046] For protection and guidance, the process line 1 is conducted, for example, between two tanks inside an external envelope tube, namely the protective envelope 4, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The external envelope tube, i.e., the protective envelope 4, serves mainly for protection against stone impact, weathering, and corrosion, but also secures the vacuum line against touch and associated risks from the very low temperatures. The external envelope tube, i.e., the protective envelope 4, is also used for safe mounting and as a damping element. The damping is achieved by direct pressing of the vacuum line formed by the process line 1 and the insulation envelope 2, which may be sheathed with plastic, against the external corrugated tube, and prevents damage by modulation of frequency and minimizing of the vibration amplitude.

[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the protective envelope 4 comprises at least two envelope parts, a first envelope part 4.1 and a second envelope part 4.2 which are axially movable relative to one another. The first envelope part 4.1 and the second envelope part 4.2 are connected together by a bellows 5 and radially nested, so that the first envelope part 4.1 can be axially moved radially inside or outside the second envelope part 4.2 in an overlap portion.

[0048] At least at one end, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, at both ends, the transfer line has coupling elements 6 which are shown in more detail in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 5, a coupling element 6 comprises the following parts: the insulation envelope 2 transforms into a mechanically firm end piece 9, for example, by fixing. The process line 1 also has a firm sleeve at its end, namely the end sleeve 24, which is welded to the end piece 9 at an end piece weld point 18.

[0050] The coupling element 6 allows an increase in thermal conduction resistance with a compact structure of the end piece of the transfer line. The process line 1 and the insulation envelope 2 are welded tightly in the end piece, namely the coupling element 6, as described hereinabove, and this weld point 18 constitutes a good thermal connection. In order to reduce the heat transfer into the deep-cooled fluid along the insulation envelope 2 of the end piece, and to avoid temperatures below the liquefaction point of oxygen at the insulation sleeve 2 of the end piece, the thermal resistance to thermal conductivity in the insulation envelope 2 of the end piece coupling element 6 is increased. For a predefined material e.g. steel, the resistance can be increased by geometry adaptation, in particular by a small cross-section and long conduction path (the heat transfer path is drawn as an arrow in FIG. 6).

[0051] A preferably thin-walled bellows 15 forms a portion of the end piece 9 and increases the thermal resistance by extension of the conduction path because of the corrugated form. A connecting sleeve 10 increases the thermal resistance by extending the conduction path because of the weld connection 19 to the end piece 9 which is offset in the direction of the vacuum connector 16. The mounting of the coupling element and the compensation of mounting tolerances to guarantee the required contact forces of the seals is described below, see also FIG. 6.

[0052] The process line 1 and insulation envelope 2 must be tightly connected to the tank/dewar comprising the tank process line 8 and connecting flange 14. Firstly, the two process lines 8, 1 are butt-connected via a union nut 7. By tightening the union nut 7, a process line seal 20 is compressed at the end between the pipe ends. Access for mounting the process line 1 is possible by sliding back a sliding coupling sleeve 11 which slides on the connecting sleeve 10. After connecting the process lines 1, 8, the sliding coupling sleeve 11 is fixed with a nut 12 against the sealing face 13 on the connecting sleeve 10, in particular at a stop of the connecting sleeve 10, wherein a flange of the sliding coupling sleeve 11 is pressed against the connecting flange 14 of the tank/dewar and hence the transfer line of the tank/dewar is pressed. The opposing forces are shown as arrows in FIG. 6. As a result, the (required) contact forces of the process line seal 20 between the process lines 1, 8, and/or the connecting sleeve seal 13 between the connecting sleeve 10 and sliding coupling sleeve 11, and the connecting flange seal 21 between the sliding coupling sleeve 11, or more precisely the flange face 22 of the sliding coupling sleeve 11, and the connecting flange 14 of the tank/dewar are reduced, and the sealing effect is lessened. The bellows 15 in the end piece 9 partially compensates for this loss of contact force. The position of the bellows 15 in the end piece 9 reduces the loading with torsion and bending moments.

[0053] Thus the connecting sleeve 10 serves to increase the thermal resistance despite the compact construction; the bellows 15 serves to increase the thermal resistance despite the compact construction, to compensate for mounting tolerances and to guarantee adequate contact force for the sealing effect; and the sliding coupling sleeve 11 allows access to the process lines 1, 8 and forms a connection, namely at a coupling space vacuum connector 23, for evacuating the coupling space or rendering this inert.

[0054] FIGS. 7A to 7C illustrate steps in connecting the coupling element 6 to a tank and the possibility of quickly and easily rendering the coupling space inert.

[0055] FIG. 7A illustrates how the coupling element 6 is brought up to the tank in order to connect the process line 1 to the tank process line 8 (in the direction of the arrow).

[0056] FIG. 7B illustrates the union nut 7 already closed around the process lines 1, 8, and the sliding coupling sleeve 11 is moved in the direction towards the tank (arrow) where it is connected to the connecting flange 14 by means of the nut 12.

[0057] FIG. 7C illustrates the connected coupling element 6 with connected union nut 7 and nut 12, so that the coupling space can be evacuated or rendered inert via the coupling space vacuum connector 23. After connection of the coupling, therefore, via the coupling space vacuum connector 23, at the sliding coupling sleeve 11, the relatively small coupling space separated from the transfer line and tank can rapidly and easily be evacuated or rendered inert with an inert gas with sufficiently high setting point.

[0058] The terms “coupled,” “attached,” or “connected” may be used herein to refer to any type of relationship, direct or indirect, between the components in question, and may apply to electrical, mechanical, fluid, optical, electromagnetic, electromechanical, or other connections. In addition, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein only to facilitate discussion, and carry no particular temporal or chronological significance unless otherwise indicated.

[0059] Those skilled in the art will appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad techniques of the embodiments can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while the embodiments have been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the embodiments should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, specification, and following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0060] 1 Process line [0061] 2 Insulation envelope [0062] 3 Insulation space [0063] 4 Protective envelope [0064] 4.1 First envelope part [0065] 4.2 Second envelope part [0066] 5 Bellows [0067] 6 Coupling element [0068] 7 Union nut [0069] 8 Tank process line [0070] 9 End piece [0071] 10 Connecting sleeve [0072] 11 Sliding coupling sleeve [0073] 12 Nut [0074] 13 Stop of connecting sleeve, seal of connecting sleeve [0075] 14 Connection flange [0076] 15 Bellows [0077] 16 Vacuum connector [0078] 17 Absorbent material [0079] 18 End piece weld point [0080] 19 Connecting sleeve weld point [0081] 20 Process line seal [0082] 21 Connecting flange seal [0083] 22 Flange surface [0084] 23 Coupling space vacuum connector [0085] 24 End sleeve