Portable Cryogenic Cooling Kit for Last-Mile Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transport refrigeration systems fail to maintain a controlled temperature environment during the 'last mile' of perishable item delivery, leading to product degradation and lower quality goods due to uncontrolled transit conditions.
Innovation Solution
A portable cooling system utilizing a cryogenic fluid source and heat exchanger assembly with a control module that detects environmental parameters like temperature and oxygen levels, adjusting fan speed and fluid flow to maintain optimal conditions within a cargo compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If dry ice or insulated containers are used for last mile cooling, then portability and ease of operation are improved, but temperature control precision and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical refrigeration systems with a portable cooling device that uses a battery-powered Peltier effect-based thermoelectric cooling system. This substitution enables portable operation while maintaining active temperature control through electronic regulation, resolving the contradiction between portability and temperature control reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts cooling parameters including fan speed, Peltier element current, and airflow rate based on real-time temperature sensor feedback. This parameter modulation allows the portable device to maintain reliable temperature control across varying environmental conditions while remaining easily operable.
2Power
If a vapor compression system is used for transport refrigeration, then cooling power and temperature control are improved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the heavy vapor compression system with a lightweight thermoelectric cooling system based on the Peltier effect. This solid-state cooling mechanism eliminates compressors, condensers, and refrigerants, reducing system weight while maintaining adequate cooling power for last-mile delivery applications through direct Peltier element attachment to the cargo container.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes cooling power delivery by dynamically adjusting electrical current to the Peltier elements based on real-time temperature feedback. This parameter control ensures maximum cooling efficiency and power utilization while minimizing energy consumption and system weight requirements.
3Power
If fan speed is increased to improve air circulation and cooling efficiency, then cooling power is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic fan speed control that adjusts airflow rate based on real-time temperature sensor feedback and cooling demand. The system operates at variable fan speeds rather than constant high speed, optimizing the balance between cooling efficiency and energy consumption by matching airflow to actual thermal requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically modulates fan rotational speed as a control parameter to optimize the relationship between cooling power delivery and electrical energy consumption. This parameter adjustment ensures high cooling efficiency when needed while reducing energy use during milder cooling conditions.
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 portable cooling system effectively maintains a controlled temperature environment for perishable items during transit, reducing product degradation and ensuring higher quality delivery by dynamically adjusting to detected environmental parameters.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger arranged in fluid communication with the fluid source to form a closed loop and a fan associated with the heat exchanger and operable to move an air flow across the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerant absorbs heat from the air, thereby cooling the air
Data Source
AI summary
A portable cooling system for cooling a compartment containing perishable items includes a fluid source including a cryogenic fluid and a heat exchanger assembly. The heat exchanger assembly includes a heat exchanger arranged in fluid communication with the fluid source to form a closed loop and a fan associated with the heat exchanger and operable to move an air flow across the heat exchanger.