Temperature-adjustable cryopreservation equipment based on liquid nitrogen regulation and control

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of ultralow-temperature cryopreservation equipment, in particular to temperature-adjustable cryopreservation equipment based on liquid nitrogen regulation and control. The temperature-adjustable cryopreservation equipment comprises a first cover body and a tank body, the tank body is sequentially provided with a sample storage area, a middle heat insulation layer and a liquid nitrogen bin from top to bottom; a first cavity is formed between the first cover body and the sample storage area; the sample storage area comprises a plurality of sample bins; wherein a first heat insulation layer is arranged among the plurality of sample bins; the sample bin comprises a first shell and a sample barrel inserted into the first shell; a second cavity is formed between the sample barrel and the first shell; the first cavity is connected with the liquid nitrogen bin through a first pipeline; a first control valve is arranged on the first pipeline; the second cavity is communicated with the first cavity through a second pipeline; a second control valve and a suction device are arranged on the second pipeline; and a heating sheet is arranged in the second cavity. The liquid nitrogen is used as a fixed cold source, the use of the liquid nitrogen can be regulated and controlled, and temperature adjustment is achieved in combination with the heating piece.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of ultra-low temperature freezing equipment, and in particular to a temperature-adjustable freezing equipment based on regulating liquid nitrogen. Background Art

[0002] Current ultra-low temperature cryopreservation equipment (such as cryopreservation temperatures below -120°C) can generally only maintain a temperature range. This is because the required temperature is too low, resulting in conventional refrigeration equipment being unable to meet the refrigeration needs. Therefore, ultra-low temperature cryopreservation environments can only be achieved by injecting liquid nitrogen through a liquid nitrogen tank. After liquid nitrogen is injected into the ultra-low temperature cryopreservation equipment, it is difficult to make further adjustments and use it in the face of ultra-low temperature liquid nitrogen (-196°C). The storage temperature of the sample can only be adjusted to a certain temperature range through cooling materials. This adjustment is achieved by matching cooling materials and changing the internal space structure when manufacturing ultra-low temperature cryopreservation equipment, and it cannot be changed after manufacturing.

[0003] Ultra-low temperature cryopreservation equipment is used to preserve various samples for a long time. Different types of samples have different requirements for the optimal storage temperature range. Therefore, if the temperature of different freezing spaces in the ultra-low temperature cryopreservation equipment can be adjusted separately, the samples can be better frozen. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned deficiencies in the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a temperature-adjustable freezing equipment based on regulating liquid nitrogen, aiming to solve the technical problem in the prior art that ultra-low temperature freezing equipment cannot be partitioned for temperature adjustment.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions: A temperature-adjustable freezing device based on regulating liquid nitrogen comprises a first cover body and a tank body; the tank body is provided with a sample storage area, a middle heat insulation layer and a liquid nitrogen bin in sequence from top to bottom; a first cavity is provided between the first cover body and the sample storage area; the sample storage area comprises a plurality of sample bins; wherein a first heat insulation layer is provided between the plurality of sample bins; the sample bin comprises a first shell and a sample barrel inserted into the first shell; a second cavity is provided between the sample barrel and the first shell; the first cavity is connected to the liquid nitrogen bin through a first pipeline; a first control valve is provided on the first pipeline; the second cavity is connected to the first cavity through a second pipeline; a second control valve and a suction device are provided on the second pipeline; a heating sheet is provided in the second cavity.

[0006] The temperature-adjustable freezing equipment based on regulating liquid nitrogen, wherein a first temperature sensor is also provided at the inlet end of the second pipeline.

[0007] The temperature-adjustable freezing equipment based on regulating liquid nitrogen, wherein a second temperature sensor is provided in the sample barrel.

[0008] The temperature-adjustable freezing equipment based on regulating liquid nitrogen, wherein the sample barrel includes a second cover and a barrel body; a second heat insulation layer is provided on the upper part of the second cover body, and a cooling layer is provided on the lower part thereof; the cooling layer and the barrel body are both made of materials with high thermal conductivity; the cooling layer is connected to the barrel body.

[0009] The temperature-adjustable freezing equipment based on regulating liquid nitrogen, wherein a third heat insulation layer is provided on the first shell.

[0010] The temperature-adjustable freezing equipment based on regulating liquid nitrogen, wherein the first cavity is connected to the liquid nitrogen bin via a third pipeline; a third control valve is provided on the third pipeline.

[0011] The temperature-adjustable freezing equipment based on regulating liquid nitrogen, wherein a fourth insulation layer is provided on the peripheral wall of the tank body, and the second pipeline and the third pipeline are provided in the fourth insulation layer.

[0012] The temperature-adjustable freezing equipment based on regulating liquid nitrogen, wherein the liquid nitrogen warehouse includes a second shell and a plurality of cold conduction plates arranged in the second shell; the liquid nitrogen warehouse is made of a material with a high thermal conductivity coefficient; and the cold conduction plates are connected to the top and bottom walls of the second shell.

[0013] The temperature-adjustable freezing equipment based on regulating liquid nitrogen, wherein a plurality of through holes are provided on the cooling plate.

[0014] The temperature-adjustable freezing equipment based on regulating liquid nitrogen, wherein the first cover body includes a fifth insulation layer and a sixth insulation layer arranged under the fifth insulation layer; the fifth insulation layer covers the opening of the tank body, and the sixth insulation layer is embedded in the opening of the cover body.

[0015] Beneficial effects: The present invention provides a temperature-adjustable cryopreservation device based on regulating liquid nitrogen, wherein the temperature-adjustable cryopreservation device based on regulating liquid nitrogen is provided with a plurality of independent and heat-insulated sample chambers in the tank body, and the amount of low-temperature liquid nitrogen entering the second chamber is adjusted through the first pipeline, the first control valve, the second pipeline, the second control valve and the suction device, so that the temperature of the sample chamber can be further reduced as required. In addition, the present invention provides a heating sheet in the second chamber, so as to increase the temperature of the sample chamber. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a temperature-adjustable freezing device based on regulating liquid nitrogen.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the sample bin.

[0018] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the liquid nitrogen tank.

[0019] Explanation of the main component symbols: 1-first cover, 2-tank body, 3-first cavity, 4-sample chamber, 51-middle insulation layer, 6-liquid nitrogen chamber, 52-first insulation layer, 41-first shell, 42-sample barrel, 43-second cavity, 71-first pipeline, 72-first control valve, 73-second pipeline, 74-second control valve, 75-suction device, 76-heating plate, 77-first temperature sensor, 78-second temperature sensor, 421-second cover, 422-barrel body, 4211-second insulation layer, 4212-cooling layer, 411-third insulation layer, 81-third pipeline, 82-third control valve, 21-fourth insulation layer, 61-second shell, 62-cooling plate, 63-through hole, 11-fifth insulation layer, 12-sixth insulation layer, 79-fluid replenishment pipeline, 22-seventh insulation layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The present invention provides a temperature-adjustable freezing device based on regulating liquid nitrogen. In order to make the purpose, technical solution and effect of the present invention clearer and more specific, the present invention is further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0021] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc. indicate directions or positional relationships based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, and a specific direction structure and operation, and therefore, cannot be understood as a limitation of the present invention. In addition, "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means more than two.

[0022] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2The present invention provides a temperature-adjustable freezing device based on regulating liquid nitrogen, comprising a first cover body 1 and a tank body 2; the tank body 2 is provided with a sample storage area, a middle insulation layer 51 and a liquid nitrogen bin 6 in sequence from top to bottom; a first cavity 3 is provided between the first cover body 1 and the sample storage area; the sample storage area comprises a plurality of sample bins 4; wherein a first insulation layer 52 is provided between the plurality of sample bins 4; the sample bin 4 comprises a first shell 41 and a sample barrel 42 inserted into the first shell 41; a second cavity 43 is provided between the sample barrel 42 and the first shell 41; the first cavity 3 is connected to the liquid nitrogen bin 6 through a first pipe 71; a first control valve 72 is provided on the first pipe 71; the second cavity 43 is connected to the first cavity 3 through a second pipe 73; a second control valve 74 and a suction device 75 are provided on the second pipe 73; a heating plate 76 is provided in the second cavity 43.

[0023] Preferably, the heating sheet 76 may be connected to the bottom of the sample barrel 42 so that heat can be directly transferred to the sample barrel 42 .

[0024] Preferably, the connection port between the first pipe 71 and the second cavity 43 and the connection port between the second pipe 73 and the second cavity 43 are opposite, and the two connection ports are respectively located on both sides of the sample barrel 42. When the liquid nitrogen enters the second cavity 43, it first contacts the sample barrel 42 and exchanges heat with the sample barrel 42, rather than being sucked away by the second pipe 73 first.

[0025] Preferably, the connection port between the second pipe 73 and the second cavity 43 is disposed at the upper portion of the first shell 41 to preferentially discharge the relatively high temperature gas located above the second cavity 43 .

[0026] Specifically, in the present invention, the liquid nitrogen tank 6 acts as a fixed cold source, continuously radiates low temperature, and transmits it to the upper area of ​​the tank body 2 through the middle insulation layer 51. The temperature range of the sample storage area is affected by the thickness and thermal conductivity of the middle insulation layer 51. When the thickness of the middle insulation layer 51 is greater and the thermal conductivity is lower, the temperature range of the sample storage area is higher; conversely, the temperature range of the sample storage area is lower.

[0027] Preferably, a first temperature sensor 77 is further provided at the inlet end of the second pipe 73 .

[0028] Preferably, a second temperature sensor 78 is disposed in the sample barrel 42 .

[0029] When the temperature inside the sample chamber 4 needs to be further reduced, the system can control the first control valve 72 and the second control valve 74 to open, and the suction device 75 to turn on. The suction device 75 will discharge the gas in the second cavity 43 to the first cavity 3, so that the second cavity 43 forms a negative pressure, and the liquid nitrogen in the liquid nitrogen chamber 6 will be sucked into the second cavity 43. Since the temperature of the liquid nitrogen is lower than the temperature of the second cavity 43, the temperature of the second cavity 43 and the sample barrel 42 will be reduced. When the second temperature sensor 78 detects that the temperature of the sample barrel 42 reaches a preset range, the first control valve 72, the second control valve 74 and the suction device 75 are closed, so that the first pipeline 71 and the second pipeline 73 are closed.

[0030] The second cavity 43 can form a buffer zone to prevent the liquid nitrogen from being directly sucked into the second pipe 73 and discharged into the first cavity 3, thereby reducing the waste of cold source.

[0031] The first temperature sensor 77 is used to detect the temperature of the gas entering the second pipeline 73. When the gas temperature is too low, it triggers the emergency closure of the suction device 75, the first control valve 72 and the second control valve 74 to avoid wasting the cold source.

[0032] When it is necessary to further increase the temperature inside the sample chamber 4 , the temperature of the second cavity 43 and the sample barrel 42 can be increased by controlling the operation of the heating plate 76 .

[0033] See also Figure 2 In one embodiment, the sample barrel 42 includes a second cover 421 and a barrel body 422; a second heat insulation layer 4211 is provided on the upper part of the second cover 421, and a cooling layer 4212 is provided on the lower part thereof; the cooling layer 4212 and the barrel body 422 are both made of materials with high thermal conductivity; the cooling layer 4212 is connected to the barrel body 422. Preferably, the cooling layer 4212 and the barrel body 422 can be made of stainless steel. The second heat insulation layer 4211 is used to reduce the heat transfer between the sample chamber 4 and the first cavity 3. Thereby, the sample chamber 4 can maintain an independent storage temperature range. The cooling layer 4212 is in contact with the barrel body 422, so that the low temperature can be quickly transferred from the bottom to the top of the barrel body 422, so that the temperature of the top and bottom of the barrel body 422 is basically consistent.

[0034] See also Figure 2 In one embodiment, a third heat insulating layer 411 is disposed on the first shell 41. The third heat insulating layer 411 is used to form a relatively independent second cavity 43, so that the temperature of the second cavity 43 remains stable for a long time.

[0035] See also Figure 1In one embodiment, the first cavity 3 is connected to the liquid nitrogen bin 6 through a third pipe 81; a third control valve 82 is provided on the third pipe 81. Specifically, the liquid nitrogen in the liquid nitrogen bin 6 will gradually evaporate, and the third pipe 81 is used to lead the nitrogen formed during the volatilization to the first cavity 3, and the nitrogen then overflows from the gap between the first cover body 1 and the tank body 2. The first cavity 3 is filled with low-temperature nitrogen, which can play a certain role in heat insulation and help keep the freezing temperature range in the sample bin 4 stable for a longer time. The third control valve 82 is used to close the third pipe 81 when the suction device 75 is running, so as to prevent the gas in the first cavity 3 from flowing back into the liquid nitrogen bin 6.

[0036] Specifically, the ultra-low temperature freezing equipment also includes a control device, which is electrically connected to the first control valve 72, the second control valve 74, the suction device 75, the heating plate 76, the first temperature sensor 77, the second temperature sensor 78 and the third control valve 82 respectively.

[0037] The control device is installed with a preset program, which can adjust the temperature of each sample chamber 4 respectively. A maximum temperature value and a minimum temperature value are set for each sample chamber 4. In the present invention, the freezing temperature range of the sample chamber 4 can be higher than the temperature of the first cavity 3, or lower than the temperature of the first cavity 3. When the temperature needs to be higher than the temperature of the first cavity 3, the heating plate 76 is controlled to generate heat. When the temperature needs to be lower than the temperature of the first cavity 3, the suction device 75 can be controlled to allow liquid nitrogen to enter the second cavity 43.

[0038] In the first case where the sample chamber 4 needs to be cooled, the temperature is controlled as follows: During operation, the second temperature sensor 78 continuously measures the real-time temperature in the sample barrel 42. When the real-time temperature is higher than the set maximum temperature value, the control device controls the third control valve 82 to close, and then controls the first control valve 72 and the second control valve 74 to open, and the suction device 75 operates. The liquid nitrogen in the liquid nitrogen bin 6 slowly enters the second cavity 43 and contacts the sample barrel 42 to cool the sample barrel 42. When the real-time temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 78 reaches the set minimum temperature value, the first control valve 72, the second control valve 74 and the suction device 75 are closed, and the third control valve 82 is opened at the same time.

[0039] In the second case where the sample chamber 4 needs to be heated up, the temperature is controlled as follows: During operation, the second temperature sensor 78 continuously measures the real-time temperature in the sample barrel 42. When the real-time temperature is lower than the set minimum temperature value, the control device controls the heating plate 76 to generate heat until the real-time temperature measured by the second temperature sensor 78 is higher than the set maximum value.

[0040] See also Figure 1In one embodiment, a fourth thermal insulation layer 21 is provided on the peripheral wall of the tank body 2 , and the second pipe 73 and the third pipe 81 are provided in the fourth thermal insulation layer 21 .

[0041] See also Figure 3 In one embodiment, the liquid nitrogen warehouse 6 includes a second shell 61 and a plurality of cold conduction plates 62 disposed in the second shell 61; the liquid nitrogen warehouse 6 is made of a material with a high thermal conductivity coefficient; the cold conduction plate 62 connects the top and bottom wall of the second shell 61. With the loss of liquid nitrogen, the liquid nitrogen level drops, and the temperature at the top of the liquid nitrogen warehouse 6 rises. In order to avoid the temperature rise at the top of the liquid nitrogen warehouse 6 caused by the drop in the liquid nitrogen level, which causes the freezing temperature of the sample warehouse 4 to rise, the cold conduction plate 62 is provided in this embodiment, which can keep in contact with the liquid nitrogen at all times, so that the low temperature of the liquid nitrogen is continuously transferred to the top of the liquid nitrogen warehouse 6, so that the top temperature of the liquid nitrogen warehouse 6 remains stable, thereby avoiding the adverse effect of the change in the liquid nitrogen level on the stability of the freezing temperature. Preferably, the cold conduction plate 62 and the second shell 61 can both be made of stainless steel. In addition, the cold conduction plate 62 can also support the interior of the second shell 61 and improve the structural strength of the liquid nitrogen warehouse 6.

[0042] See also Figure 3 In one embodiment, the cooling plate 62 is provided with a plurality of through holes 63. The through holes 63 are used to allow liquid nitrogen to pass through.

[0043] See also Figure 1 In one embodiment, the first cover body 1 includes a fifth insulation layer 11 and a sixth insulation layer 12 disposed under the fifth insulation layer 11; the fifth insulation layer 11 covers the opening of the tank body 2, and the sixth insulation layer 12 is embedded in the opening of the cover body.

[0044] See also Figure 1 In one embodiment, a liquid replenishment pipe 79 is also connected to the bottom of the liquid nitrogen warehouse 6, and the liquid replenishment pipe 79 is used to be connected to the liquid nitrogen tank.

[0045] Specifically, a seventh thermal insulation layer 22 is provided below the liquid nitrogen warehouse 6 , and the seventh thermal insulation layer 22 is used to prevent the liquid nitrogen warehouse 6 from exchanging heat with the space below.

[0046] The first thermal insulation layer 52, the second thermal insulation layer 4211, the third thermal insulation layer 411 and other thermal insulation layers described in the present invention can be made of materials with different thermal conductivities according to the needs of the installation location.

[0047] In summary, the present invention connects the liquid nitrogen bin 6 with the second cavity 43 by setting the first pipe 71, connects the second cavity 43 with the first cavity 3 by setting the second pipe 73, and then allows the liquid nitrogen to enter the second cavity 43 through the suction device 75, so that the temperature of the sample bin 4 is further reduced. In terms of temperature increase, the temperature increase is achieved by setting the heating sheet 76 in the second cavity 43. The zone temperature regulation of the ultra-low temperature freezing equipment is realized.

[0048] It is understandable that those skilled in the art can make equivalent substitutions or changes based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, and all these changes or substitutions should fall within the protection scope of the claims attached to the present invention.

Claims

1. A temperature-adjustable freezing device based on regulating liquid nitrogen, comprising a first cover and a tank; the tank is provided with a sample storage area, a middle heat insulation layer and a liquid nitrogen bin in order from top to bottom; a first cavity is provided between the first cover and the sample storage area; the sample storage area includes a plurality of sample bins; characterized in that, A first heat insulation layer is arranged between the multiple sample chambers; the sample chamber comprises a first shell and a sample barrel inserted into the first shell; a second cavity is arranged between the sample barrel and the first shell; the first cavity is connected to the liquid nitrogen chamber through a first pipeline; a first control valve is arranged on the first pipeline; the second cavity is connected to the first cavity through a second pipeline; a second control valve and a suction device are arranged on the second pipeline; a heating sheet is arranged in the second cavity.

2. The temperature-adjustable freezing equipment based on regulating liquid nitrogen according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first temperature sensor is also provided at the inlet end of the second pipeline.

3. The temperature-adjustable freezing equipment based on regulating liquid nitrogen according to claim 2, characterized in that: A second temperature sensor is arranged in the sample barrel.

4. The temperature-adjustable freezing equipment based on regulating liquid nitrogen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sample barrel comprises a second cover and a barrel body; a second heat insulating layer is arranged on the upper part of the second cover, and a cooling layer is arranged on the lower part thereof; the cooling layer and the barrel body are both made of materials with high thermal conductivity; the cooling layer is connected to the barrel body.

5. The temperature-adjustable freezing equipment based on regulating liquid nitrogen according to claim 1, characterized in that: A third heat insulation layer is arranged on the first shell.

6. The temperature-adjustable freezing equipment based on regulating liquid nitrogen according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first cavity is connected to the liquid nitrogen warehouse through a third pipeline; a third control valve is arranged on the third pipeline.

7. The temperature-adjustable freezing equipment based on regulating liquid nitrogen according to claim 6, characterized in that: A fourth heat insulation layer is arranged on the peripheral wall of the tank body, and the second pipeline and the third pipeline are arranged in the fourth heat insulation layer.

8. The temperature-adjustable freezing equipment based on regulating liquid nitrogen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid nitrogen warehouse comprises a second shell and a plurality of cold conduction plates arranged in the second shell; the liquid nitrogen warehouse is made of a material with a high thermal conductivity coefficient; the cold conduction plates are connected to the top and bottom walls of the second shell.

9. The temperature-adjustable freezing equipment based on regulating liquid nitrogen according to claim 8, characterized in that: The cold conduction plate is provided with a plurality of through holes.

10. The temperature-adjustable freezing equipment based on regulating liquid nitrogen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first cover body includes a fifth heat insulation layer and a sixth heat insulation layer arranged under the fifth heat insulation layer; the fifth heat insulation layer covers the opening of the tank body, and the sixth heat insulation layer is embedded in the opening of the cover body.

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