Pipe joints or couplings – U-type
Patent
1992-03-18
1994-01-04
Nicholson, Eric K.
Pipe joints or couplings
U-type
285136, 285138, F16L 3904
Patent
active
052754464
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for coupling together two vacuum lines, so that when coupled together, the lines can be rotated relative to one another, each of the vacuum lines including two mutually concentrical pipes (1, 2) which form therebetween a vacuum space (3) and the inner pipe (2) forming a fluid transport channel. The invention also relates to a first and a second coupling part of a first and a second vacuum lines respectively forming part of the coupling device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Vacuum lines of the above kind are used, among other things, to convey cryogenic liquids, the vacuum prevailing between the inner transport pipe and the surrounding outer pipe forming an effective insulation. Such vacuum line arrangements may, of course, also be used beneficially for the transportation of hot media.
Difficulties are experienced in the case of some applications in which two sections of such a vacuum line are to be coupled together in a manner which will enable the sections to be rotated relative to each other, for instance when the vacuum line is to be used for the transportation of a coolant, for example liquid nitrogen, to movable equipment, these difficulties being particularly applicant when the application concerned requires frequent rotation between the line sections. One problem in this respect resides in the fact that the requisite elastic sealing rings are unable to withstand the low or high temperatures concerned. Normally, a sealing ring made of some suitable material, for instance a rubber composition, cannot be subjected to temperatures below 40.degree. C. and remain effective. This temperature shall be compared with the temperature of liquid nitrogen, that is -196.degree. C., which one is often desirous of using for cooling (chilling) purposes among others.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to provide a solution to the above problem, such that two vacuum lines can be mutually coupled in a manner which will enable the vacuum lines to be rotated relative to each other, with the aid of elastic sealing rings, for example, O-rings, without the sealing rings being subjected to excessively low or excessively high temperatures, even when transporting very cold or very hot media, respectively.
This object is achieved in accordance with the present invention by configuring the parts that form the coupling device in a manner such that the sealing rings will not come into direct contact with the cold or the hot medium and by providing a wall which encloses the medium or with a wall which has become cold or hot respectively by thermal conduction from material in direct contact with the medium.
The present invention is directed to an inventive device intended for coupling together two vacuum lines so that, when coupled, the lines can be rotated relative to each other; to a first coupling part of a vacuum line which is intended to be coupled to a second coupling part of a second vacuum line; and to a second coupling part of a vacuum line intended to be coupled to the first coupling part of the first vacuum line.
The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an inventive first coupling part of a vacuum line;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an inventive second coupling of a vacuum line;
FIG. 3 illustrates an inventive coupling device which includes, the coupling parts shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and
FIG. 4 illustrates an inventive coupling device which includes a slightly modified version of the inventive coupling parts.
In FIG. 1, the reference numeral identifies the outer pipe and the numeral 2 identifies the inner pipe of a vacuum line. The pipe 2 is intended for the transportation of fluid, for example a cryogenic liquid, such as liquid nitrogen having a temperature of -196.degree. C. The space 3 formed between the pipes 1 and 2 is sealed hermetically at the e
REFERENCES:
patent: 3684316 (1972-08-01), Lavender
patent: 4106796 (1978-08-01), Asztalos et al.
patent: 4606560 (1986-08-01), McCracken
patent: 4792164 (1988-12-01), Suemitsu
patent: 5044673 (1991-09-01), Jones, Jr.
patent: 5110162 (1992-05-01), Peter et al.
Menzel Paul
Thexton Tim
AGA Aktiebolag
Nicholson Eric K.
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