FR3103186A1 - Receptacle for cryogenic connector - Google Patents

Abstract

This receptacle (4) adapted to receive a cryogenic connector (2) between two filling operations comprises: - a housing (11) intended to receive one end of a cryogenic connector (2), - a longitudinal axis (12); - a cam (22) actuated by the connector (2) when the latter is introduced into the housing (11) in a longitudinal direction, the cam (22) being in the form of a movable disc sector and pivotally mounted around it an axis (20) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (12) between a first position in which the cam (22) is at least partially housed in the housing (11) and a second position in which the cam (22) is at least partially protruding outside the housing (11); and - a contact (30) oriented along an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (12) and intended to detect the presence of the cam outside the housing (11). Abstract figure: Figure 2

Description

Receptacle for cryogenic connector

The present invention relates to a receptacle for a cryogenic connector.

The field of the present invention is more particularly that of receptacles for cryogenic connectors located in cryogenic liquid distribution stations, such as for example Liquefied Natural Gas or liquid hydrogen. Such liquids are typically delivered under pressure and at cryogenic temperatures. Cryogenic temperatures refer to temperatures below -150°C.

Due to their lesser environmental impact, cryogenic liquids such as LNG are increasingly used as fuel for transport vehicles such as for example trucks, replacing conventional fuels such as diesel for example. It is therefore appropriate to refuel such vehicles using cryogenic liquid distribution stations, similar to service stations.

A dispensing station for cryogenic liquid has an appearance resembling that of a gasoline dispensing station. It usually has a substantially parallelepipedic body about 2 m high with one side provided with a control screen and includes a flexible filling pipe through which the cryogenic liquid passes. To be able to ensure the connection and the transfer of the cryogenic liquid to the vehicle to be refueled, the end of the hose located on the vehicle side includes a connector which is fixed during filling on the orifice of the vehicle tank.

Between two fillings, the connector is stored in a receptacle located on one side of the distribution station. Before filling, an operator grabs the connector by grip handles and fixes it to the vehicle to be refueled, and after filling, the operator replaces the connector in its receptacle.

During refueling, the hose and the connector are traversed by cryogenic liquid. This leads fairly quickly to the formation of a layer of ice on the connector and possibly also on the hose.

To ensure a sealed connection between the connector and the vehicle to be refueled, it is known to clean the end of the connector in contact with the vehicle, for example by blowing hot air there through the receptacle, in order to release ice or dust particles or any other dirt that may have lodged there.

The cleaning means are started when the connector is in the receptacle. It is known to those skilled in the art to equip the receptacle with mechanical means making it possible to detect the presence of the connector in the receptacle. These mechanical means comprise a contact located in the longitudinal axis of the receptacle and of the connector, this contact being activated, that is to say open or closed, by means of a cam having the form of a flap actuated by the connector and pivoting around a vertical axis. When the connector is located at the bottom of the receptacle, the cam is pushed forward and closes the contact. When the connector is removed from the receptacle, the cam swings backwards, thus opening the contact.

Given the orientation of the contact along the longitudinal axis of the receptacle, it is only possible to detect the presence of the connector when it is completely pushed into the receptacle.

In addition, whether under the effect of its own weight or the tension exerted by the hose or even because it has been incorrectly repositioned by the operator, the connector may tend to slide backwards, and therefore to no longer actuate the cam coming to close the contact triggering the starting of the cleaning means. It is therefore possible that the connector has not been sufficiently cleaned and still contains dirt that could affect the tightness of the connection during the next filling of a vehicle, thus creating a risk of leaks.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a receptacle for a cryogenic connector making it possible to ensure its cleaning, including when the connector is incorrectly placed in the receptacle.

Summary

This disclosure improves the situation.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, provision is made for the receptacle to have a housing intended to receive one end, in particular a distal end of a cryogenic connector, a longitudinal axis, a cam which can be actuated by the connector when this latter is introduced into the housing in a substantially longitudinal direction, the cam being in the form of a mobile disc sector and pivotally mounted about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis between a first position in which the cam is at least partially housed in the housing and a second position in which the cam is at least partially projecting outside the housing and a contact actuated by the cam and oriented along an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the receptacle and intended to detect the presence of the cam outside the housing.

The position of the contact along an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the receptacle thus makes it possible to keep the contact in the closed position as long as it is in contact with the edge of the mobile cam. The cam having the shape of a disc sector pivoting around an axis, it makes it possible to transform the translational movement of the connector in the housing into a circular movement so that the entire length of the edge of the cam can activate the contact when the cam is actuated by the connector.

Thus, according to one embodiment of the invention, the contact is in the closed position when one end of the cam in contact with the connector moves along the longitudinal axis of the receptacle over a stroke for example between 1 and 7 cm.

In an advantageous embodiment, the axis around which the cam is pivotally mounted is for example arranged in the upper part of the receptacle so that the cam returns to its first position by gravity. This variant avoids the use of return springs and increases the reliability of the device.

In order to avoid the connector tilting backwards in the event that it is not sufficiently pushed into the receptacle, it is advantageously provided that the receptacle can include a non-return stop. According to one embodiment, the non-return stop may comprise a plate arranged below the housing intended to at least partially receive a connector and projecting beyond the opening of said housing provided for the introduction of a connector, as well as preferably a rim oriented in the direction of the housing and arranged at the end of the projecting plate.

To improve the stability of the connector, it is advantageous for a rear end, that is to say located more than half the length of the connector, to rest on the non-return stop when the detection means detect the presence of the connector. in the accommodation.

In another advantageous embodiment, the receptacle may further comprise at least one nozzle intended to blow air into the housing of the receptacle intended to receive one end of a connector. As a variant or in addition, the receptacle can be equipped, for example, with a tube extending below the housing of the receptacle intended to receive one end of the connector and opening into this housing, heating means being associated with said tube. The air in this tube, heated by the heating means, then rises towards the housing and heats it.

In order to operate the heating means and the cleaning means, provision is advantageously made for the connector cleaning means to be started when the presence of the connector in the housing is detected, that is to say when the cam closes the contact.

A method of cleaning a cryogenic connector in a receptacle may for example comprise the steps of
- Installation of the connector in the receptacle
- Maintaining the connector in the receptacle by a non-return stopper
- Closing of a contact by a mobile cam actuated during the installation of the connector in the receptacle
- Activation of means for cleaning the connector following the closing of the contact.

There is also disclosed a cryogenic fluid distribution station comprising a receptacle for a cryogenic connector as described above.

Other characteristics, details and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the appended drawings, in which:

Fig. 1

schematically shows a connector arranged in its receptacle according to a longitudinal section view.

Fig. 2

shows in perspective the connector and the receptacle of figure 1.

Fig. 3

is a view corresponding to Figure 1, the connector being removed from the receptacle.

Fig. 4

is a view corresponding to Figure 2, the connector being removed from the receptacle.

The figures and the description below contain, for the most part, certain elements. they may therefore not only be used to better understand this disclosure but also contribute to its definition, where applicable.

Reference is now made to Figure 1. In this figure one can recognize a cryogenic connector 2, that is to say intended to deliver a cryogenic fluid, and its receptacle 4.

Connector 2 is intended to deliver a cryogenic liquid, for example LNG, that is to say Liquefied Natural Gas, or else liquid hydrogen, or any other cryogenic liquid. This connector 2 is for example part of a dispensing station for cryogenic liquid resembling a fuel dispensing station (petrol or diesel). Such a station usually has a substantially parallelepipedic body about 2 m high with one face provided with a control screen and comprises a flexible filling pipe through which the cryogenic liquid passes and at the end of which there is a connector such the connector 2. In order to be able to ensure the connection and the transfer of the cryogenic liquid to the vehicle to be refueled, the connector 2 is provided with means allowing it to be fixed during filling on a vehicle tank orifice. Note in particular in the figures the presence of locks 6 which are intended to cooperate with complementary locking means arranged at the orifice of the tank to be filled. Handles 8, located at a proximal end of the connector 2 are used on the one hand to manipulate the connector 2 and on the other hand to control the locking and unlocking of the locking means making it possible to mechanically fasten the connector 2 to the reservoir in a sealed manner. fill. Note in Figures 1 and 3 (in section), the presence of a central bore 10 opening into a distal end of the connector 2 to conduct the fluid from the distribution station and arriving through the hose to the connector 2.

Such a connector 2 is known to those skilled in the art and is not described in more detail here. The disclosure relates more particularly to the receptacle 4 intended to receive the connector 2. When the dispensing station is intended for filling vehicle fuel tanks, the receptacle 4 is provided to receive the connector 2 between two operations of filling a tank of vehicle.

The receptacle 4 firstly comprises a housing, called sheath 11, which is intended to receive a distal end of the connector 2. Said sheath 11 generally has a circular cylindrical shape. It thus has a longitudinal axis 12. This longitudinal axis 12 is also considered to be the longitudinal axis of the receptacle 4. The inside diameter of the sheath 11 is adapted to the dimensions of the connector 2. The latter, as illustrated, is almost always provided with its distal end of an elongated generally circular cylindrical shape. The sheath 11 of the receptacle 4 is sized to allow the introduction of the distal end of the connector 2 with a clearance so as not to interfere with the introduction and withdrawal of the distal end of the connector 2 but the clearance is limited so as to also guide this connector 2.

The sheath 11 of the receptacle 4 has an open end (for the introduction of the connector 2) and a closed opposite end serving as a stop when the connector 2 is stored. In the illustrated embodiment, one notices at one end of the sheath 11 a plate 14. The latter is assumed here and in the remainder of this description to be vertical. The sleeve 11 is inclined relative to the plate 14, the open end of the sleeve being higher than the end closed by the plate 14. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, the plate 14 may have a flange 16 folded at right angles to the rest of the plate 14, said rim being able to be used to fix the plate 14 and thus the whole of the receptacle 4 on the dispensing station.

The plate 14 carries two lugs 18 which extend perpendicular to the plate above the sheath 11. These two lugs 18 form with the plate 14 a stirrup which carries a pivot axis 20. The latter extends, in the form preferred embodiment illustrated here, above the sheath 11, substantially horizontally and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 12.

The orientation chosen here is the "natural" orientation for a receptacle taking place on a distribution station. The connector 2 being held in the receptacle 4 in particular by gravity, the up/down direction corresponds to the orientation of the device in operation.

The pivot pin 20 carries a cam 22 substantially having the shape of a disc section. This cam 22 and the location of the pivot pin 20 are designed such that the cam 22 can pivot between a first position in which the cam 22 is located at least partially in the sheath 11 of the receptacle on the path of the connector 2 when the latter is introduced into the receptacle 4 and a second position in which at least part of the cam is located outside the sheath 11.

To allow the passage of the cam 22, a slot 24 is made in the sleeve 11 and in the plate 14. This slot 24 is for example centered on the sleeve 11. One end of the slot 24 can serve as a stop for the cam 22 to limit the travel of the cam 22 inside the sheath 11. FIG. 3 thus shows the cam 22 in its first position, or retracted position, in which the cam is at the maximum in the sheath 11. A radial edge, or leading edge 26, is in the sheath 11 and comes into abutment on the end of the slot 24.

On the side opposite the leading edge 26, the cam 22 has a protrusion 28 which projects out of the sheath 11. This protrusion 28 with respect to the shape of a disc section has a shape adapted to cooperate with a sensor of position 30 consisting of a contact. In the illustrated embodiment, this position sensor 30 is integrated into the receptacle 4 and is fixed to the plate 14, on the same side as the rim 16 (or on the side opposite the tabs 18).

The position sensor 30 can be of various kinds (mechanical, inductive, optical, etc.). It is positioned to detect whether the cam 22 is in its retracted position (illustrated in Figure 3) or in an at least partially extended position, that is to say pivoted with respect to its retracted position (it should be noted that due to the presence of the stop formed by the end of the slot 24, the cam 22 can only pivot in one direction around the pivot axis 20 from its retracted position). To avoid false detections (for example due to the presence of a little frost at the level of the end of the slot 24 serving as a stop), it is advantageously provided that the position sensor 30 does not detect the presence of the cam 22 only after a predetermined minimum stroke (rotation).

The second position, or extended position, of the cam 22 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Here the connector 2 is fully engaged in the receptacle 4, more precisely its sheath 11 so as to come into abutment (against the plate 14 or well against a possible other stop provided for this purpose). The cam 22 is then pushed by the connector 2 during the movement of the latter inside the receptacle 4. The pattern of the cam 22 and the position of the position sensor 30 are such that the sensor detects the presence of the cam 22 over its entire stroke (rotation), except as mentioned above at the beginning of the stroke (rotation) of the cam to avoid false detections.

It is further noted in the figures the presence of a system, called non-return system, intended to prevent any involuntary movement of the connector 2 when the latter is in place in its receptacle 4. It is appropriate here to prevent the connector 2 placed in the receptacle 4 by a user comes to move and move so that his presence in the receptacle 4 (more precisely its sheath 11) is no longer detected by the detection system described above and comprising in particular cam 22 and position sensor 30.

To achieve the non-return system, it is planned to come and fix on the outer face of the sheath 11, below the latter, a support 32 provided with an anti-recoil rim 34. The support 32 is in the form a plate extending under the sheath 11 substantially parallel thereto so as to project beyond its open end.

The anti-recoil rim 34 extends substantially perpendicular to the plate (support 32) at the end projecting from the latter in the direction of the sheath 11. It is noted that the other end of the support 32 bears at its end opposite the rim anti-recoil 34 a ring 36 for its attachment to the outer face of the sheath 11. This ring 36 is fixed by screwing on a ring 38 mounted, for example by tightening, around the sheath 11.

The non-return system is positioned relative to the sheath 11 such that the anti-recoil rim 34 is at the rear (proximal end) of the connector 2 or close to a projecting part of the connector 2, such so that when the connector 2 is in abutment in the sheath 11 of the receptacle 4, the rear of the connector 2 or else the projecting part of the connector 2 considered is between the anti-recoil rim 34 and the open end of the sheath 11 , preferably at a distance of the order of a centimeter from the anti-recoil rim 34.

Finally, the receptacle 4 is equipped with a defrosting system. To this end, a tube 40 extending vertically below the sheath 11 emerges inside the latter, preferably close to the plate 14 (for example less than 10 cm from the latter. This tube 40 is heated. It can be provided with a resistive wire and/or a heating film and/or a heating tape, etc. It is necessary to heat the air located in the tube 40 which then rises naturally towards the sheath 11 and thus comes to heat the distal end of the connector 2 which is located there.

In the embodiment illustrated in the drawing, provision is also made to provide the receptacle 4 with at least one heating nozzle 42 which opens into the sheath 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the presence of two nozzles 42 is noted. By way of illustration, it is proposed to pass the two nozzles 42 through the plate 14 to emerge inside the sheath 11. Thus the nozzles 42 can blow hot air at the distal end of the connector 2.

The operation of this device described above is for example the following.

It is assumed (FIGS. 1 and 2) that the connector 2 is "stored" in the receptacle 4 so as to come into abutment against the plate 14 or against a stop provided to limit the penetration of the connector 2 into the receptacle 4 and thus define the stored position of this connector. The cam 22 is then pushed by the connector 2 out of the sheath 11 and is almost completely outside of it. The position sensor 30 then detects the presence of the connector 2 in the receptacle 4. The connector 2 comes to rest on the support 32 and/or the anti-recoil rim 34 of the anti-return system. The connector 2 is attracted by gravity towards the support 32. The anti-recoil rim 34 prevents (or at least strongly limits) any involuntary movement of the connector 2 in the direction of its withdrawal from the receptacle 4. The connector must be carried 2 so that it can be removed from the sheath 11.

The presence of the connector 2 inside the receptacle 4 being detected by the position sensor 30, the defrosting means can be put into operation. It is here possible to predict the conditions under which the heating of the tube 40 and the blowing of air through the nozzles 42 are started. It is for example possible to provide a timer which puts one and/or the other of these heating means into operation after the detection by the position sensor 30 of the positioning in the receptacle of the connector 2. It is also possible, still by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, provide a temperature sensor (not shown) to measure the temperature in the sheath 11 and to operate the defrosting system (heating of the tube 40 and/or pulsing air by the nozzles 42 as a function of the temperature. The operation of the defrosting system can be based on one and/or the other of the preceding principles but can also be programmed differently (continuous heating of the tube 40, intermittent heating of the tube 40, continuous or intermittent air pulsation, etc.).

When the connector 2 is removed from the receptacle 4 (FIGS. 3 and 4), the cam 22 comes into its retracted position. The position of the cam 22 above the sleeve 11 allows automatic actuation of the cam 22 around its pivot axis 20 by gravity. This operation by gravity is also advantageous during the introduction of the connector 2 into the receptacle 4. It is possible to provide another orientation of the cam 22, for example a cam pivoting around a vertical axis, and a return spring of the cam in its retracted position.

The travel (rotation) of the cam 22 towards its retracted position is limited by the slot 24, when the leading edge 26 of the cam 22 comes into abutment against the corresponding end of this slot 24. The position of the axis 20, the shape of the cam 22, the position of the position sensor 30 make it possible to adjust to a large extent the range of detection of the presence of the connector 2 in the receptacle 4. The detection of the presence of the connector 2 can be do over a travel range of the connector 2 in the longitudinal direction ranging from 0.5 cm or 1 cm for example up to a few centimeters, for example 5 to 10 cm. This makes it possible to make reliable the detection of the presence of the connector 2 in its receptacle 4.

The present technical solutions can be applied in particular for the distribution of cryogenic liquid, for example LNG or liquid hydrogen.

The proposed detection system making it possible to detect whether the connector used to fill a tank is in place in its receptacle intended to accommodate it between two tank fillings is made more reliable. The detection system remains operational even if the connector moves in the receptacle. This can happen when frost forms and the weight of the connector increases. The solution described above advantageously provides in addition to mechanically limiting the movement of the connector thereby making the detection of the presence of the connector all the more reliable. In addition, with the defrosting system described, the formation of ice on the connector is limited. This also goes in the direction of making the detection of the presence of the connector in its receptacle more reliable since the connector no longer becomes heavy under the weight of frost. The de-icing system also makes it possible, by avoiding the formation of frost on the connector, in particular at its distal end, to increase the life of the seals of the connector.

This disclosure is not limited to the example of embodiment illustrated and described above and to the variants mentioned, solely by way of example, but it encompasses all the variants that a person skilled in the art may consider in the context of the protection sought.

Claims (6)

Receptacle (4) adapted to receive a cryogenic connector (2) between two filling operations and comprising a housing (11) intended to receive one end, in particular a distal end, of a cryogenic connector (2), characterized in that the said receptacle (4) comprises:
- a longitudinal axis (12);
- a cam (22) which can be actuated by the connector (2) when the latter is introduced into the housing (11) in a substantially longitudinal direction, the cam (22) being in the form of a sector of a movable disk and mounted pivoting around an axis (20) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (12) between a first position in which the cam (22) is at least partially housed in the housing (11) and a second position in which the cam (22 ) is at least partially projecting outside the housing (11); And
- a contact (30) oriented along an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (12) of the receptacle and intended to detect the presence of the cam outside the housing (11). Receptacle according to Claim 1, characterized in that the axis (20) around which the cam (22) is pivotally mounted is arranged in the upper part of the receptacle (4) in such a way that the cam (22) returns to its first position by gravity. Receptacle according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the receptacle (4) comprises a non-return stop comprising a plate (32) arranged below the housing (11) intended to at least partially receive a connector and projecting beyond the opening of said housing (11) provided for the introduction of a connector, as well as a flange (34) oriented in the direction of the housing (11) and arranged at the end of the plate (32) in protrusion. Receptacle according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it further comprises at least one nozzle (42) intended to blow air into the housing (11) of the receptacle intended to receive one end of a connector. Receptacle according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a tube (40) extending above the housing (11) of the receptacle intended to receive one end of the connector and opening into this housing (11) , heating means being associated with said tube. Cryogenic fluid distribution station, characterized in that it comprises a receptacle according to one of Claims 1 to 5.