INTERSECTION CONNECTION OF LOCOMOTIVE CRYOGENIC SYSTEMS AND VARIANTS

Abstract

The intersection connection of locomotive cryogenic systems includes a flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline having two corrugated pipes made of cold-resistant steel, which are arranged one inside the other and separated by elastic inserts. There are end adapter flanges fixed to the end walls of the locomotive adjacent sections, and an elastic bar connected to the flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline with suspensions. The intersection connection can be provided with an elastic bar aligned relative to the inner corrugated pipe with centering elastic inserts.

Claims

1. An intersection connection of locomotive cryogenic systems, comprising: a flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline being comprised of: two corrugated pipes comprised of cold-resistant steel, which are arranged one inside the other and separated by elastic inserts, and end adapter flanges fixed to end walls of the locomotive adjacent sections, and an elastic bar connected to the flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline by suspensions, the elastic bar and the flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline being comprised of spatial helices, and the ends of the elastic bar being fixed in the adapter flanges.

2. An intersection connection of locomotive cryogenic systems, comprising: flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline being comprised of: two corrugated pipes comprised of cold-resistant steel, which are arranged one inside the other, elastic inserts separating the pipes, and end adapter flanges fixed to the end walls of the locomotive adjacent sections, and an elastic bar arranged in the inner cavity of the inner corrugated pipe of the flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline and aligned relative to the inner corrugated pipe with centering elastic inserts, the flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline and the elastic bar being comprised of spatial helices, and the ends of the elastic bar being fixed in the adapter flanges.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the intersection connection of locomotive cryogenic systems (according to the first embodiment).

[0015] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 3 shows another schematic view of the intersection connection of locomotive cryogenic systems (according to the second embodiment).

[0017] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The intersection connection of locomotive cryogenic systems according to the first embodiment of the invention (FIGS. 1, 2) comprises a flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline 1 consisting of two corrugated pipes, an outer pipe 3 and an inner pipe 4, which are made of cold-resistant steel, arranged one inside the other, separated by elastic inserts 5 and provided with end adapter flanges 6 and 7. The end adapter flanges 6 and 7 are fixed to the end walls 8 and 9 of the locomotive adjacent sections. The adapter flanges 6 and 7, which are connected to the ends of the flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline 1, connect the cryogenic gas cavity 10 (FIG. 2) of the flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline 1 with the cryogenic gas passages 11 and 12 in the end walls 8 and 9 of the locomotive adjacent sections.

[0019] The intersection connection is provided with an elastic bar 13 connected to the flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline 1 by suspensions 14, the elastic bar 13 and the flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline 1 being made in the form of spatial helices, and the ends of the elastic bar 13 being fixed in the adapter flanges 6 and 7. The suspensions 14 (FIG. 2) cover regions of the elastic bar 13 and regions of the flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline 1 closest thereto and are fastened by bolt connections 15 and 16.

[0020] An annular passage 17 between the inner corrugated pipe 4 and the outer corrugated pipe 3 is vacuumized or filled with a heat-insulating material or an inert gas. The elastic inserts 5 are made of a low-conductivity material. The outer surface of the flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline 1 is provided with a heat-insulating layer 18.

[0021] The intersection connection of locomotive cryogenic systems according to the second embodiment of the invention (FIGS. 3, 4) comprises the flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline 1 consisting of two corrugated pipes, the outer pipe 3 and the inner pipe 4, which are made of cold-resistant steel, arranged one inside the other, separated by the elastic inserts 5 and provided with the end adapter flanges 6 and 7. The end adapter flanges 6 and 7 are fixed to the end walls 8 and 9 of the locomotive adjacent sections. The adapter flanges 6 and 7, which are connected to the ends of the flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline 1, connect the cryogenic gas cavity 10 (FIG. 2) of the flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline 1 with the cryogenic gas passages 11 and 12 in the end walls 8 and 9 of the locomotive adjacent sections.

[0022] The intersection connection is provided with the elastic bar 13 arranged in the inner cavity of the inner corrugated pipe 4 of the flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline 1 and aligned relative to the inner corrugated pipe 4 of the pipeline 1 with the use of centering elastic inserts 19. The elastic bar 13 and the flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline 1 are made in the form of spatial helices. The ends of the elastic bar 13 are fixed in the adapter flanges 6 and 7.

[0023] The annular passage 17 between the inner corrugated pipe 4 and the outer corrugated pipe 3 is vacuumized or filled with a heat-insulating material or an inert gas. The elastic inserts 5 are made of a low-conductivity material. The outer surface of the flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline 1 is provided with a heat-insulating layer 18.

[0024] The intersection connection of locomotive cryogenic systems works as follows.

[0025] During the locomotive operation a cryogenic fuel passes from one section of the locomotive through the passage 11 in the end wall 8 via the flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline 1 into the passage 12 in the end wall 9.

[0026] When a locomotive runs on rails (the first embodiment), the helical form of the elastic bar 13 ensures uniform distribution of strains, as caused by mutual movements of the locomotive end walls 8 and 9, along its length. Since regions of the elastic bar 13 and the flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline 1 are connected by the suspensions 14, sag of the flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline 1, which is caused by mutual spatial movements of the locomotive adjacent sections during running, is reduced.

[0027] As a result, the use of the proposed structure improves reliability and increases the service life of the locomotive intersection cryogenic pipeline.

[0028] When a locomotive runs on rails (the second embodiment), the helical form of the elastic bar 13 ensures uniform distribution of strains, as caused by mutual movements of the locomotive sections, along its length. Strains appearing in the elastic bar 13, which are uniformly distributed along its length and reduced in magnitude, are transferred, via the elastic inserts 19, to the inner corrugated pipe 4 and further, via the inserts 5, to the outer pipe 3 of the flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline 1. Strains in regions of the flexible double-wall corrugated pipeline 1, as caused by mutual spatial movements of the locomotive adjacent sections during running, are reduced.

[0029] As a result, reliability of the intersection connection of locomotive cryogenic systems is improved and its service life is increased.