PIPE FOR A CRYOGENIC FLUID, PIPE ASSEMBLY, AND AEROSPACE SYSTEM WITH PIPE

Abstract

A pipe for conducting a cryogenic fluid. The pipe includes a rigid outer tube at least partially made of a fiber-reinforced polymer, a gas-proof inner tube running within the outer tube, an insulation layer arranged between the inner tube and the outer tube, and at least one flange formed at a respective end of the inner tube. The at least one flange connects the inner tube with the outer tube. Also a pipe assembly with at least two such pipes which are connected or configured to be connected at their respective flanges, and an aerospace system with at least one such pipe.

Claims

1. A pipe for conducting a cryogenic fluid, the pipe comprising: a rigid outer tube at least partially made of a fiber-reinforced polymer; a gas-proof inner tube running within the rigid outer tube; an insulation layer arranged between the gas-proof inner tube and the rigid outer tube; and at least one flange formed at an end of the gas-proof inner tube, the at least one flange connecting the gas-proof inner tube with the rigid outer tube.

2. The pipe according to claim 1, wherein the at least one flange is integrally shaped with the gas-proof inner tube or materially connected to the gas-proof inner tube, tied thereto in a form-fit connection, or both, or wherein the at least one flange is materially connected to the rigid outer tube, tied thereto in a form-fit connection, or both, or both.

3. The pipe according to claim 1, wherein a material of the at least one flange and a material of the gas-proof inner tube at least partially coincide.

4. The pipe according to claim 1, wherein the gas-proof inner tube has a wall thickness of at most 8 mm, or wherein the gas-proof inner tube has a coefficient of thermal expansion, measured between 20 C. and 90 C. which is at most 2.510.sup.6 K.sup.1, or wherein the gas-proof inner tube is at least partially made of a metal alloy or of a composite material, or any combination thereof.

5. The pipe according to claim 1, wherein the at least one flange comprises a bracket segment embracing an edge of the insulation layer.

6. The pipe according to claim 5, wherein the bracket segment is separated, by a circumferential channel, from a flat contact segment of the at least one flange, the flat contact segment configured to be connected to a second pipe.

7. The pipe according to claim 5, wherein the rigid outer tube covers at least a portion of the bracket segment.

8. The pipe according to claim 1, wherein the insulation layer at least partially comprises a rigid foam.

9. The pipe according to claim 1, wherein at least one through hole, or at least one thread, or both are formed in the at least one flange for connection thereof with a second pipe.

10. The pipe according to claim 1, wherein one or more grooves are formed in the at least one flange, the one or more grooves configured to receive at least a portion of a seal ring.

11. The pipe according to claim 1, further comprising: one or more insulation shells arranged on or configured to be arranged on the at least one flange when the at least one flange is connected to a second pipe.

12. The pipe according to claim 1, further comprising: one or more fixation means for joining the pipe to a structure, the one or more fixation means respectively fastened to or integrally shaped with the rigid outer tube.

13. A pipe assembly comprising: at least two pipes according to claim 1 which are connected or configured to be connected at respective at least one flanges.

14. An aerospace system comprising: at least one pipe according to claim 1, the at least one pipe forming part of a primary structure of the aerospace system.

15. The aerospace system according to claim 14, wherein the aerospace system is a launcher or a stage of a multistage launcher and comprises at least one engine configured to be driven with a cryogenic propellant supplied through the at least one pipe.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] In what follows, preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained with respect to the accompanying drawings. As is to be understood, the various elements and components are depicted as examples only, may be facultative and/or combined in a manner different than depicted. Reference signs for related elements are used comprehensively and not necessarily defined again for each figure.

[0024] Shown is schematically:

[0025] FIG. 1 is a first exemplary embodiment of a pipe according to the present invention in a longitudinal section;

[0026] FIG. 2a is an end segment of a second exemplary embodiment of a pipe according to the present invention in a longitudinal section;

[0027] FIG. 2b is a flange of the pipe of FIG. 2a in a side view;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a pipe assembly with two pipes of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2a with an insulation shell arranged on the abutting flanges; and

[0029] FIG. 4 is a pipe as that shown in FIG. 1 further comprising fixation means fastened to the outer tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a pipe 100 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a longitudinal section. The pipe 100 comprises a rigid (thus, stiff) outer tube 10 which is made of a fiber reinforced polymer (such as a carbon fiber reinforced polymer).

[0031] The pipe 100 further comprises a gas-proof inner tube 20 running within the outer tube 10, with an insulation layer 30 in-between. The inner tube 20 may in particular be at least partially made of a metal alloy, such as a ferrous alloy, in particular a nickel-iron alloy such as FeNi36, or of a composite material.

[0032] The (preferably passive) insulation layer 30 may advantageously be at least partially made of a hardened (thus rigid) foam.

[0033] At both of its ends, a respective flange 40, 40.sub.2 comprised by the pipe 100 connects the inner tube 20 with the outer tube 10. Both flanges 40, 40.sub.2 are equally shaped; the respective details thereof are indicated, in FIG. 1, with respect to flange 40 comprising a contact segment 41 configured to be connected to a further pipe (not shown in FIG. 1), in particular to a corresponding flange thereof, by bolts (not shown) running through holes H in the contact segment 41, as indicated by respective dashed lines.

[0034] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the respective contact segment 41 of each flange 40, 40.sub.2 is formed integrally (thus, monolithically) with the inner tube; according to alternative embodiments, the respective flange might be materially connected (e.g., welded or glued) and/or positively fit (i.e., tied in a form-fit connection) to the inner tube 20, such as by being screwed to the inner tube 20, for instance.

[0035] Moreover, the flanges 40, 40.sub.2 of the pipe 100 depicted in FIG. 1 are materially connected (e.g., glued) to the outer tube 10 at a thickened end segment 11 thereof, which thickening serves to improve the stability of the connection. According to alternative embodiments, the respective flange might be (additionally or alternatively) tied by a form-fit connection to the outer tube (not shown).

[0036] In FIG. 2a, an end segment of a pipe 100 according to a further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in a sectional view; a not shown opposite end of the pipe 100 may preferably be designed equally to that depicted.

[0037] The pipe 100 comprises a rigid (thus, stiff) outer tube 10 which is made of a fiber reinforced polymer (e.g., a carbon fiber reinforced polymer), and a gas-proof inner tube 20 running within the outer tube 10, with an insulation layer 30 in-between. The inner tube 20 may in particular be at least partially made of a metal alloy, such as a ferrous alloy, in particular a nickel-iron alloy such as FeNi36, or of a composite material, in particular of a fiber-reinforced plastic, more specifically, a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic.

[0038] A flange 40 connects the inner tube 20 with the outer tube 10; FIG. 2b illustrates the flange 40 of the pipe 100 alone in a side view.

[0039] As indicated in FIGS. 2a, 2b, the flange 40 comprises a flat contact segment 41 configured to be connected to a further pipe (not shown in said Figures), in particular to a corresponding flange thereof. An annular groove G formed in the contact segment 41 serves to receive at least a portion of a seal ring (not shown) ensuring a gas-tight connection of the pipe 100 with the further pipe.

[0040] The flange 40 further comprises a bracket segment 42 which embraces an edge margin 31 of the insulation layer 30. The bracket segment 42 is separated from the contact segment 41 by a circumferential channel C, and it is covered by an end segment of the outer tube 10 extending into the channel C.

[0041] The thus at the end of the pipe 100 established laminate of insulation layer 30, bracket segment 42, and outer tube 10 ensures a particularly high durability of the pipe 100. Moreover, the channel C provides access to through holes H in the contact segment 41. As a consequence, the pipe 100 can be easily connected, in its completed state, to the further pipe by bolts (not shown) inserted into the through holes H, as indicated in FIG. 2a by respective dashed lines.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a segment of a pipe assembly 1000 according to the present invention, the pipe assembly 1000 comprising the pipe 100 depicted in FIG. 2a which is connected with an equally shaped further pipe 100.sub.2. Therein, the upper area of FIG. 3 shows a lateral view of the connection, whereas the lower area of FIG. 3 provides a sectional view making visible the respective inner tubes 20, 20.sub.2 and insulation layers 30, 30.sub.2, as well as a seal ring 50 inserted in the respective grooves G of the abutting flanges 40, 40.sub.2.

[0043] Moreover, an insulation shell 60 is arranged on the connected flanges 40, 40.sub.2. Preferably, the insulation shell 60 is combined with at least one further insulation shell (not shown) so as to entirely encompass the connected ends of the pipes 100, 100.sub.2, thereby further reducing a heat flow from an environment into a fluid (not shown) running through the connected pipes 100, 100.sub.2.

[0044] In FIG. 4, an end segment of the pipe 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 is depicted, wherein fixation means 70, 70.sub.2, such as brackets or braces with fasteners, are fastened to the outer tube 10. The fixation means may serve to mount the pipe 100 in a respective structure (not shown) such as an aerospace system and/or to fasten a secondary structure to the pipe 100 (not shown).

[0045] Disclosed is a pipe 100, 100, 100.sub.2 for conducting a cryogenic fluid. The pipe comprises a rigid outer tube 10, 10, 10.sub.2 at least partially made of a fiber-reinforced polymer, a gas-proof inner tube 20, 20, 202 running within the outer tube 10, 10, 102, an insulation layer 30, 30, 30.sub.2 arranged between the inner tube 20, 20, 20.sub.2 and the outer tube 10, 10, 10.sub.2, and at least one flange 40, 40, 40.sub.2 formed at a respective end of the inner tube 20, 20, 20.sub.2. The at least one flange 40, 40, 40.sub.2 connects the inner tube 20, 20, 20.sub.2 with the outer tube 10, 10, 10.sub.2.

[0046] Further disclosed are a pipe assembly 1000 comprising at least two such pipes 100, 100, 100.sub.2 which are connected or configured to be connected at a respective flange 40, 40, 40.sub.2 thereof, and an aerospace system comprising at least one such pipe 100, 100, 100.sub.2.

[0047] While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms comprise or comprising do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms a or one do not exclude a plural number, and the term or means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0048] 10, 10, 10.sub.2 outer tube [0049] 20, 20, 20.sub.2 inner tube [0050] 30, 30, 30.sub.2 insulation layer [0051] 31 edge margin of insulation layer [0052] 40, 40, 40.sub.2 flange [0053] 41, 41 contact segment of flange [0054] 42 bracket segment of flange [0055] 50 seal ring [0056] 60 insulation shell [0057] 100, 100, 100.sub.2 pipe [0058] 1000 pipe assembly [0059] C channel [0060] G groove [0061] H through hole