Conductive Ribbon Temperature Control via Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biological samples collected often contain impurities that hinder analytical processes, necessitating effective methods to heat and process samples on conductive ribbons for fixation or drying.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising conducting pads, a variable power supply, and a controller is used to heat a conductive ribbon to a controlled temperature, with measurements and adjustments made to maintain the desired temperature for sample processing, ensuring repeatable and suitable conditions for sample analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a conductive ribbon with varying thickness or coating is used, then sample collection area is improved, but temperature uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a feedback control system that adjusts heating parameters specifically for the conductive ribbon section where the sample is located. The controller monitors temperature at the sample position and adjusts power delivery locally to compensate for variations in ribbon thickness or coating, ensuring uniform temperature distribution across the sample area despite geometric variations in the ribbon material.
2Productivity
If heating power is increased to process sample faster, then productivity is improved, but temperature control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous temperature monitoring and adjustment during the heating process. The controller continuously receives temperature feedback from the sensor and adjusts the heating power in real-time, maintaining continuous useful action rather than using fixed-step heating. This allows the system to process samples efficiently while maintaining precise temperature control throughout the entire heating duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback control mechanism where a sensor continuously measures the temperature of the conductive ribbon and feeds this information back to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the heating power, preventing overheating while maintaining high processing speeds. This closed-loop feedback system resolves the contradiction by enabling both high productivity and precise temperature control.
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 effectively heats a conductive ribbon to a controlled temperature, allowing for efficient sample processing, such as fixing or drying, thereby preparing samples for subsequent analysis without variability due to ribbon thickness or coating variations.
Implementation Method 1
A variable power supply forms a circuit with the pair of conducting pads and the conductive ribbon. The controller controls the variable power supply to apply a signal to the conductive ribbon
Implementation Method 2
a sensor to measure at least one electrical characteristic of the circuit. The controller controls the variable power supply to apply a signal to the conductive ribbon and a measurement is taken using the sensor in response to the applied signal
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of heating a conductive ribbon for sample collection and/or sample processing comprises coupling conducting pads to the conductive ribbon, applying a signal across the conducting pads to cause the conductive ribbon to heat up, taking a measurement of at least one electrical property associated with the conductive ribbon in response to the applied signal, computing a correction for the applied signal to achieve a desired temperature suitable for fixing a sample to the heated conductive ribbon, and adjusting the applied signal to regulate the heat of the conductive ribbon to the desired temperature for a predetermined time.