Apparatus and method of preventing ice accumulation on coupling valves for cryogenic fluids
First Claim
1. A quick-disconnect coupling for use in a cryogenic system having mating components for establishing a connection between two lines for transferring cryogenic fluid from one line to the other without ice forming on mating surfaces of the components, the quick-disconnect coupling comprising:
- a first connector coupled to a first line and having a first mating surface;
a second connector coupled to a second line for carrying a flow of cryogenic fluid, the second connector having a second mating surface configured for mating with the first connector and establishing a disconnectable seal for communication of the flow of cryogenic fluid from the second line to the first line;
the second connector including a passage for supplying a flow of dry purging gas to the second mating surface for displacing moisture-laden air from around the second mating surface, thereby preventing moisture in air from freezing onto the second mating surface when the second connector is very cold due to flow of cryogenic fluid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An LNG refueling facility includes a nozzle for mating with the receptacle on a motor vehicle to deliver a flow of LNG to the vehicle'"'"'s tank. The nozzle is supplied with a flow of dry gas to purge moisture-laden air from around surfaces which mate with the receptacle to prevent freezing of moisture on the mating surfaces when the nozzle turns very cold. The nozzle also includes a boot enclosing mechanical linkages for latching the nozzle to the receptacle. Dry gas is supplied to the interior of the boot to displace air from around the mechanical linkages and thereby prevent moisture from freezing onto the mechanical linkages.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A quick-disconnect coupling for use in a cryogenic system having mating components for establishing a connection between two lines for transferring cryogenic fluid from one line to the other without ice forming on mating surfaces of the components, the quick-disconnect coupling comprising:
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a first connector coupled to a first line and having a first mating surface; a second connector coupled to a second line for carrying a flow of cryogenic fluid, the second connector having a second mating surface configured for mating with the first connector and establishing a disconnectable seal for communication of the flow of cryogenic fluid from the second line to the first line;
the second connector including a passage for supplying a flow of dry purging gas to the second mating surface for displacing moisture-laden air from around the second mating surface, thereby preventing moisture in air from freezing onto the second mating surface when the second connector is very cold due to flow of cryogenic fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A nozzle for dispensing liquified natural gas (LNG) into vehicles, the nozzle cooperating with a receptacle on a vehicle running on LNG for delivery of LNG from a supply tank into a tank on the vehicle, the nozzle comprising:
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a connector coupled to a line for carrying a flow cryogenic fluid, the connector having a mating surface configured for coupling to a receptacle associated with a vehicle and establishing therewith a disconnectable seal for communication of a flow of cryogenic fluid from the line to a tank in the vehicle; a passage coupled to a source of dry purging gas for supplying a flow of dry gas to the mating surface for displacing moisture-laden air from around the mating surface, thereby preventing moisture in air from condensing on the second mating surface and freezing; and a latch for latching the connector with the receptacle on the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A refueling facility for dispensing of liquified natural gas (LNG) into motor vehicle comprising:
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a supply tank storing a supply of LNG for dispensing into motor vehicles; and a dispenser coupled for receiving a flow of LNG from the supply tank, the dispenser including; a line for carrying cryogenic fluid to a nozzle; a fueling nozzle, the fueling nozzle including; a connector coupled to the line for carrying a flow cryogenic fluid, the connector having mating surfaces configured for coupling to a vehicle receptacle associated with a tank in the motor vehicle and establishing therewith a disconnectable seal for communication of a flow of cryogenic fluid to the vehicle'"'"'s tank; a passage couple to a source of dry purging gas for supplying a flow of dry gas to the mating surfaces for displacing air from around the mating surfaces, thereby tending to prevent moisture in the air from condensing on the mating surfaces and freezing; and a latch for latching the connector with the vehicle receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A refueling facility for dispensing of liquified natural gas (LNG) into motor vehicles comprising:
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a supply tank storing a supply of LNG for dispensing into motor vehicles; a dispenser coupled for receiving a flow of LNG from the supply tank, the dispenser including; a line for carrying cryogenic fluid to a nozzle; the fueling nozzle, the fueling nozzle including; a first connector coupled to the line for carrying a flow cryogenic fluid, the connector having first mating surfaces configured for coupling to a vehicle receptacle associated with a tank in the motor vehicle and establishing therewith a disconnectable seal for communication of a flow of cryogenic fluid; a second connector coupled to a vent line for venting gas from the vehicle'"'"'s tank, the second connector having second mating surfaces configured for coupling to the vehicle receptacle; a passage couple to a source of dry purging gas for supplying a flow of dry gas to the first and second mating surfaces for displacing air from around the first and second mating surfaces, thereby preventing moisture in the air from condensing on the mating surfaces and freezing; a latch for latching the fueling nozzle with the vehicle receptacle; and a boot at least partially enclosing the latch and an opening in the passage to an interior of the boot for delivering a flow of dry purging gas for displacing air containing moisture from around moving parts of the latch; an LNG recirculation system for pre-cooling the dispenser prior to dispensing of LNG to a vehicle to reduce vaporization of the LNG during dispensing, the recirculation system including a receptacle on the dispenser adapted for coupling with the nozzle to receive a pre-cooling flow of LNG from the supply tank and through the line and nozzle, the dispenser receptacle coupled to the supply tank for returning the pre-cooling flow of LNG. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification