US 12,104,724 B2
Optimized connection assembly between two portions of a cryogenic line, comprising a double sealing barrier, a fluid expansion chamber and a detector for detecting the presence of the fluid in said chamber
Philippe Pedoussaut, Blagnac (FR); Hervé Tressol, Toulouse (FR); Najoua Erroui, Toulouse (FR); and Mouayiad Shebli, Filton Bristol (GB)
Assigned to Airbus SAS, Blagnac (FR); Airbus Operations SAS, Toulouse (FR); and Airbus Operations LTD, Filton Bristol (GB)
Filed by Airbus SAS, Blagnac (FR); Airbus Operations SAS, Toulouse (FR); and Airbus Operations LTD, Filton Bristol (GB)
Filed on Oct. 26, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/973,622.
Claims priority of application No. 2111496 (FR), filed on Oct. 28, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0135912 A1, May 4, 2023
Int. Cl. F16L 23/18 (2006.01); F16L 23/028 (2006.01); F16L 23/16 (2006.01); F16L 23/24 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 23/24 (2013.01) [F16L 23/0283 (2013.01); F16L 23/162 (2013.01); F16L 23/167 (2013.01); F16L 23/18 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A flange-connection assembly between two portions of a line for transporting a cryogenic fluid in an inner conduit of the line, the flange-connection assembly comprising:
a first line portion, and
a second line portion,
the first line portion comprising a first connection flange arranged at one of its ends and configured to be held in contact with a second connection flange, arranged at one of the ends of the second line portion,
at least one of said first connection flange and second connection flange comprising a first groove for positioning a first seal,
said first groove being arranged around said inner conduit, and
at least one of said first connection flange and second connection flange comprising a second groove for positioning a second seal,
said second groove being arranged around said first groove for positioning the first seal and having a diameter greater than the diameter of the first groove,
 the first groove and second groove being configured such that the first seal and second seal, which are positioned therein, produce a sealed connection between the first and second connection flanges by isolating said inner conduit from the exterior of the line,
at least one conduit opening out, at a first end, between the first groove and the second groove, and opening out, at a second end, into an expansion chamber for said cryogenic fluid,
said expansion chamber located in one of the first connection flange and the second connection flange,
the expansion chamber comprising an absorbent element and a detector for detecting a presence of said cryogenic fluid.