Blast gel pack conditioning equipment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gel pack conditioning methods are inefficient, requiring extended periods and leading to inconsistent temperature stabilization due to inadequate air flow and temperature homogeneity, resulting in suboptimal performance for temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products.
Innovation Solution
Automated blast gel pack conditioning equipment with high-speed air flow, a heating and cooling system, and strategically placed temperature sensors to control and stabilize the temperature of gel packs, ensuring uniform conditioning across all gel packs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional conditioning methods are used with static air flow, then the equipment complexity is low, but the temperature homogeneity and conditioning efficiency are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by using fans to generate forced air circulation through the gel packs. The system uses multiple fans positioned at different locations to create uniform air flow patterns, ensuring consistent temperature distribution throughout the conditioning chamber while maintaining relatively simple equipment architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts air flow parameters (velocity, direction, distribution) and temperature parameters by controlling fan speeds and heating/cooling element output. This allows the system to achieve uniform temperature homogeneity by changing operational parameters rather than increasing structural complexity.
2Reliability
If extended conditioning periods are used, then temperature stabilization may be achieved, but the productivity and time efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous forced air circulation throughout the conditioning process, ensuring that heat transfer occurs constantly and uniformly across all gel packs. This continuous action accelerates the conditioning process while maintaining reliable temperature stabilization, reducing the required conditioning time compared to static methods.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors continuously monitor the temperature of gel packs during conditioning, and this feedback is used to adjust fan speeds and heating/cooling output in real-time. This closed-loop control ensures rapid and accurate temperature stabilization, significantly improving productivity while maintaining reliability.
3Productivity
If high-speed air flow is used for rapid conditioning, then the productivity increases, but the temperature uniformity and conditioning consistency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The conditioning chamber is divided into multiple zones with independently controlled fans and temperature regulation. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for high-velocity air flow while maintaining uniform temperature distribution within that zone, achieving both high productivity and temperature consistency through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the conditioning chamber receive customized air flow rates and temperature control based on local requirements. Fans are positioned and controlled to create optimal air flow patterns in specific areas, ensuring that high-speed conditioning does not compromise temperature uniformity in any particular zone.
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
Significantly reduces conditioning time and ensures consistent temperature stabilization, improving the performance and reliability of gel packs for shipping temperature-sensitive products.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator and heater for defining a void space for containing a set of gel packs
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator and heater for defining a void space for containing a set of gel packs
Implementation Method 3
at least one fan for circulating air within the housing such that a path of air flow extends through an air insufflation end to an air return end
Implementation Method 4
A phase change material (PCM) is a substance with a high heat of fusion which, melting and solidifying at a certain temperature, is capable of storing and releasing large amounts of energy
Data Source
AI summary
Automated blast gel pack conditioning equipment is provided and includes a housing with an evaporator and heater and defining a void space for containing a set of gel packs, at least one fan for circulating air within the housing such that a path of air flow extends through an air insufflation end to an air return end within the housing, at least one temperature sensor located within the housing, and a controller for receiving temperature measurements from the at least one temperature sensor and for automatically controlling operation of the evaporator, heater, and fans during phase change processing and conditioning of gel packs. A method of phase change processing and conditioning gel packs and a temperature sensor assembly are also provided.