Balanced Evaporator Refrigeration Systems for Rapid Pod Freezing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigeration systems struggle to rapidly cool food and drinks from room temperature to freezing within a short time without damaging the compressor or requiring oversized machinery, while maintaining efficient heat transfer and minimizing ice crystal size.

Innovation Solution

A refrigeration system with a balanced evaporator design, using propylene refrigerant, thermoelectric coolers, and a mixing paddle that rotates counter to refrigerant flow, combined with a charge reservoir to manage refrigerant flow and temperature convergence, achieves rapid cooling of food and drinks in pods within minutes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the mass of refrigerant within the refrigeration system is increased to enable faster heat exchange and freezing, then the freezing speed is improved, but the system size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreezing speedVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts refrigerant flow rates and compressor operation during the freezing process. The refrigerant flow is modulated to match the changing heat transfer requirements as the pod contents freeze, allowing fast freezing without requiring excessive refrigerant mass throughout the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operating parameters including refrigerant pressure, temperature, and flow rate during the freezing cycle. By optimizing these parameters dynamically, the system achieves high freezing speed with minimal refrigerant mass, avoiding the need for oversized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If a larger compressor is used to increase cooling capacity, then the freezing speed is improved, but the device complexity and power draw increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidcompressor size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic cycling of the compressor with varying speeds and durations. Rather than running a large compressor continuously, the system employs multiple compression cycles with optimized timing and intensity, achieving the required cooling capacity with a smaller compressor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The compressor operation is dynamically controlled based on real-time temperature and heat load conditions. The system adjusts compressor speed and refrigerant flow to match the changing thermal requirements during freezing, maximizing the efficiency of a smaller compressor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Power

If the temperature difference between evaporator inlet and outlet is maintained high for efficient heat transfer, then the heat exchange efficiency is improved, but liquid refrigerant may return to the compressor causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoidcompressor safety

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses temperature and pressure sensors to monitor refrigerant conditions throughout the evaporator. This feedback allows the control system to adjust refrigerant flow and compressor operation to maintain high heat transfer efficiency while ensuring refrigerant is fully vaporized before returning to the compressor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

A refrigerant management device or heat exchanger section acts as an intermediary between the evaporator and compressor. This intermediary ensures complete vaporization of refrigerant while maintaining the temperature differential needed for efficient heat transfer in the evaporator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system efficiently cools food and drinks to freezing temperatures in under two minutes, reduces ice crystal size, and prevents compressor damage, while using compact machinery with minimal post-processing, allowing for single-serving portion control and recyclable pods.

Implementation Method 1

the refrigeration system operable to apply a freezing cycle to the food or drink in which refrigerant flows through the evaporator exchanging heat from the pod to the refrigerant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

increasing the mass of refrigerant within the refrigeration system enables the evaporator to exchange more heat with the pod and freeze the ingredients within the pod faster

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change