CO2 Capillary Cooling for Precise Portable Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for maintaining controlled temperatures in portable coolers without electricity are inefficient, as they often rely on dry ice, which is wasteful, unsafe, and lacks precise temperature control, and previous technologies using CO2 have limitations such as inefficiency, safety hazards, and inability to maintain specific temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained cooling system using compressed liquid and/or gas CO2, with a metering release system and electronic control, that allows for controlled and constant temperature maintenance by releasing CO2 through capillary tubes in a heat exchanger, preventing freezing and clogging, and enabling remote operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If dry ice is used for cooling in portable coolers, then cooling effect is achieved, but temperature control precision is poor and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical system of dry ice sublimation with an electronic control system that uses a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator to achieve precise temperature control. The electronic thermostat monitors and adjusts the refrigeration cycle, eliminating the imprecision of dry ice methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system using a thermostat that continuously monitors temperature and adjusts the refrigeration cycle accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables precise temperature maintenance, directly addressing the temperature control precision problem with dry ice.
2Temperature
If dry ice is used for cooling, then cooling effect is achieved, but safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces dry ice (a disposable, potentially hazardous substance) with a reusable refrigeration system using conventional refrigerants in controlled amounts. The system eliminates the need for handling solid CO2 blocks, removing associated safety risks while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary refrigeration system with controlled refrigerant circulation between the cooling source and the cooler interior. This intermediary system safely mediates the cooling process, eliminating direct contact with hazardous dry ice while achieving the same thermal effect.
3Measurement precision
If liquid CO2 is released through capillary tubes in heat exchanger, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the refrigeration system into distinct functional components (compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator, capillary tubes) that can be independently optimized and maintained. This modular segmentation manages complexity by organizing the system into manageable units while enabling precise temperature control through the expansion valve and capillary tube network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic principles with liquid CO2 flowing through capillary tubes to achieve precise temperature control. The hydraulic/pneumatic system allows controlled distribution of refrigerant to multiple heat exchanger zones, enabling precise thermal management without excessive mechanical complexity.
4Temperature
If conventional CO2 systems are used, then cooling is achieved, but efficiency is poor due to freezing and clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the CO2 system by using a controlled expansion valve and capillary tubes to regulate refrigerant flow rates and pressure. This parameter control prevents excessive cooling that would cause freezing and clogging, maintaining high efficiency by optimizing the refrigeration cycle conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using capillary tubes to distribute refrigerant gradually across multiple heat exchanger zones rather than releasing all CO2 at once. This controlled, partial release prevents localized over-cooling and freezing while maintaining overall system efficiency.
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 provides a stable, safe, and efficient cooling solution that maintains temperatures from ambient to below -40°F, is easy to refill, and can be used in various applications, including medical and food transportation, without degrading over time and without the need for electricity.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid and/or gaseous CO2 coolant is then released into capillary tube(s) embedded into a heat transfer plate or heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
The liquid and/or gaseous CO2 coolant is then released into capillary tube(s) embedded into a heat transfer plate or heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
The liquid and/or gaseous CO2 coolant is then released into capillary tube(s) embedded into a heat transfer plate or heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
Standalone and self-contained cooling systems using compressed liquid and/or gas C02 containers positioned in an insulated or non-insulated vessel and consisting of a specially designed unit where the containers are vertically positioned in an upright or upside-down position. The liquid and/or gas CO2 coolant is then released into capillary tube(s) embedded into a heat transfer plate or heat exchanger thus leveraging the C02 coolant properties. The temperature is controlled by a metering C02 releasing system encompassing an electronic control device which can be operated remotely and/or via a touch screen and which sends alerts when pre-defined thresholds are exceeded. The invention's metering C02 releasing system may be triggered by an electronic or a thermostatic valve or may be triggered manually or by an electronic solenoid. The invention's cooling system also encompasses check valves, which avoid liquid and/or gas C02 from escaping when removing or replacing C02 containers individually.