Bung for insulating a container and cooling methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryogenic shipping containers for biological samples face challenges such as contamination risk, inefficiency in maintaining cryogenic temperatures during transport, and high costs due to the use of Stirling cryocoolers, especially when tilted or inverted, and prolonged downtime for cleaning and re-cooling.
Innovation Solution
A bung device with insulating segments and reflective barriers is used to maintain cryogenic temperatures passively, preventing heat transfer and air flow, even when the container is tilted or inverted, and a thermal mass with high specific heat capacity to slow down temperature increase, eliminating the need for liquid nitrogen and reducing the risk of contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If liquid nitrogen is used as cooling medium, then cryogenic temperatures are maintained, but contamination risk and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes liquid nitrogen from the system entirely, replacing it with a passive cooling system using a cold plate and heat transfer medium. This extraction eliminates the contamination and asphyxiation hazards associated with liquid nitrogen while maintaining cryogenic temperature capability through alternative means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat transfer medium as an intermediary between the cold plate and the sample container. This intermediary enables thermal coupling for cryogenic cooling without requiring direct contact with liquid nitrogen, thereby eliminating contamination and safety hazards while maintaining effective cooling.
2Temperature
If Stirling cryocooler is used, then active cooling is provided, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the active mechanical Stirling cryocooler system with a passive thermal management system using heat transfer principles. The cold plate with heat transfer medium provides cooling without moving parts or complex mechanical mechanisms, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining cooling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive cooling system operates autonomously without requiring external power or active control mechanisms. The heat transfer medium naturally circulates and dissipates heat through the phase change materials and thermal conduction, providing self-service cooling that eliminates the need for complex Stirling cryocooler machinery.
3Adaptability or versatility
If container is tilted or inverted during transport, then flexibility in handling is improved, but heat transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible heat transfer medium that can conform to different container orientations and positions. This flexible thermal coupling system maintains effective heat transfer regardless of whether the container is upright, tilted, or inverted, allowing handling flexibility without compromising cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite thermal management materials including phase change materials and thermally conductive compounds that maintain thermal contact under various gravitational conditions. These composite materials ensure consistent heat transfer efficiency whether the container is in any orientation during transport.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If cleaning is performed between uses, then contamination is prevented, but downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable or easily replaceable heat transfer medium that can be quickly exchanged between uses. This eliminates the need for lengthy cleaning procedures, as the medium can be rapidly replaced rather than thoroughly cleaned, significantly reducing downtime while maintaining contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes pre-packaged heat transfer medium cartridges or containers that are prepared in advance for immediate use. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for on-site cleaning operations, allowing rapid exchange between samples and minimizing downtime while ensuring contamination-free operation.
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 bung device effectively maintains cryogenic temperatures and prevents contamination, reducing the need for liquid nitrogen venting and Stirling cryocoolers, ensuring reliable transport and storage of cryopreserved samples without prolonged downtime.
Implementation Method 1
A bung device with insulating segments and reflective barriers is used to maintain cryogenic temperatures passively, preventing heat transfer
Implementation Method 2
reflective barriers is used to maintain cryogenic temperatures passively, preventing heat transfer
Implementation Method 3
a thermal mass with high specific heat capacity to slow down temperature increase
Implementation Method 4
thermal mass with high specific heat capacity to slow down temperature increase
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is a device in the form of a bung for insulating a container interior from the ambient environment, the bung comprising: a plurality of insulating segments; and one or more barriers for reflecting infrared radiation. Disclosed is: a method of preparing a shipping system for retaining a cryopreserved sample, the method comprising: loading a cryopreserved sample into a container such as a vacuum flask; and fitting the bung to the container to insulate the container interior from the ambient environment, and a method of cooling a container, such as a vacuum flask, for retaining cryopreserved samples to a desired temperature, the method comprising: cooling the container interior by pouring a cryogenic fluid such as liquid nitrogen into the container; and emptying the cryogenic fluid from the container, once the cooling has at least partially taken place.