Air-Cooled Centrifuge Temperature Control via Sensor Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Temperature-uncontrolled, air-cooled laboratory centrifuges face challenges in maintaining consistent temperature conditions due to varying installation conditions and inadequate cooling capacity, leading to undesirable temperature changes in the rotor chamber, which can affect sample integrity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a temperature sensor to monitor internal temperatures and modifying the control logic to adjust air flow without additional cooling or heating devices, allowing for defined temperature control within minimal costs and without structural changes, enabling improved temperature regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If air cooling is used without additional conveying devices, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature control reliability deteriorates due to insufficient cooling capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temperature sensor that continuously monitors the temperature in the rotor chamber and feeds this information back to a control unit. Based on the temperature feedback, the control unit dynamically adjusts the speed of the fan to optimize cooling performance. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable temperature control without requiring complex additional cooling devices, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and temperature control reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment of the fan speed based on real-time temperature conditions rather than using a fixed-speed cooling system. The control unit varies the air flow intensity dynamically according to the measured temperature, allowing the simple air cooling system to adapt to changing thermal conditions and maintain reliable temperature control throughout the centrifugation process.
2Temperature
If fan speed is increased to improve cooling, then temperature control improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic fan speed control where the fan operates at variable speeds based on the measured temperature conditions. During phases requiring intensive cooling, the fan speed increases to maintain temperature stability. During phases with lower cooling demands, the fan speed reduces, thereby minimizing energy consumption. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between temperature stability and energy consumption by optimizing cooling intensity to match actual thermal needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit adjusts the fan operating parameters (speed) based on temperature measurements to achieve optimal cooling efficiency. By changing the fan speed parameter dynamically rather than maintaining constant high speed, the system achieves adequate temperature control with reduced overall energy consumption, resolving the trade-off between temperature stability and energy use.
3Measurement precision
If temperature sensor is placed near the sample, then measurement precision improves, but the sensor is affected by centrifugal forces and heat from the drive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a baffle element as an intermediary component positioned between the drive/rotor assembly and the temperature sensor. This baffle serves as a thermal and centrifugal force barrier that protects the sensor from direct exposure to harmful factors while still allowing the sensor to accurately measure the temperature in the rotor chamber. The baffle blocks direct heat transfer and reduces the impact of centrifugal forces on the sensor, enabling precise temperature measurement without the sensor being directly exposed to the sample rotation zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the temperature sensor in a location that is radially displaced from the direct path of centrifugal forces generated by rotor rotation. By placing the sensor in the housing rather than directly in the rotor chamber, the measurement point is shifted to a dimension where centrifugal effects are minimal, while the baffle ensures thermal coupling to the rotor chamber environment. This spatial arrangement in another dimension allows accurate temperature measurement free from centrifugal interference.
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
This solution ensures consistent temperature conditions in the rotor chamber, reducing the risk of sample damage and maintaining process integrity by dynamically adjusting air flow based on real-time temperature readings, thus enhancing the operational reliability of temperature-uncontrolled centrifuges.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor (21) which detects a temperature in the interior (4)
Implementation Method 2
air cooling by means of a cooling air flow taken from the environment flowing through the rotor chamber
Implementation Method 3
heat is introduced into a rotor chamber by the drive of the laboratory centrifuge, in particular as a result of heat conduction from a housing of the drive to the housing of the rotor chamber with radiation of heat into the rotor chamber, the rotational movement of the rotor generated with the movement of the fluid in the Rotor chamber and / or the generation of friction in bearings of the rotor
Implementation Method 4
heat is introduced into a rotor chamber by the drive of the laboratory centrifuge, in particular as a result of heat conduction from a housing of the drive to the housing of the rotor chamber
Implementation Method 5
the rotational movement of the rotor generated with the movement of the fluid in the Rotor chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a temperature-unregulated, air-cooled laboratory centrifuge (1) in which no operating temperature can be set and no cooling, heating, and/or control device for regulating the temperature in an interior (4) of the laboratory centrifuge (1) is provided. According to the invention, an interior (4) of the laboratory centrifuge (1) is equipped with a temperature sensor (21). The signal from the temperature sensor (21) is fed to a control unit, which, upon exceeding a temperature threshold, takes a suitable action, in particular stopping the operation of the laboratory centrifuge (1), generating a display, or changing the rotational speed of the rotor (6).