Cryogenic Tank Door Segmentation for Uniform Rack Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic storage systems experience temperature non-uniformity and nitrogen gas discharge issues due to the larger door size compared to racks, leading to inefficiencies in operation and storage efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic storage system with an inner and outer door configuration that allows racks to be rotatable relative to the center and doors, enabling only one rack to be accessed at a time through either door, minimizing door movement and nitrogen gas discharge, and optimizing rack placement for uniform temperature and increased packing density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a large door is used to allow rack insertion and removal, then ease of operation is improved, but nitrogen gas discharge increases and temperature uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The door is divided into multiple segments (first door segment and second door segment) that can move independently. This segmentation allows the door to open only as much as needed for rack access, minimizing the exposed area and reducing nitrogen gas discharge while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The door segments are designed to move dynamically - the first door segment rotates about a first axis and the second door segment rotates about a second axis. This dynamic configuration allows the door to adapt its opening degree based on operational needs, optimizing the balance between accessibility and gas retention.
2Ease of operation
If door size is larger than rack size for easy insertion, then ease of operation is improved, but storage temperature uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented door structure allows selective opening of only the necessary portion for rack insertion. This minimizes the disruption to the cryogenic environment and reduces temperature variations across different storage locations, maintaining better temperature uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The door segments can be opened locally only where needed for rack access, rather than opening the entire door. This localized access approach minimizes the impact on the overall temperature distribution within the storage tank, preserving temperature uniformity in areas not adjacent to the door.
3Productivity
If door position and rack arrangement require additional movement, then ease of operation is worsened, but productivity is improved through optimized access
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic door segment configuration allows the system to optimize access paths. The first and second door segments can rotate independently to position the opening exactly where needed, reducing the movement distance for rack insertion/removal operations and improving operational efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides cryogenic storage systems and methods of using the cryogenic storage systems. A cryogenic storage system of the present disclosure may comprise a cryogenic tank with an inner door and an outer door, and a robot apparatus located adjacent to the cryogenic tank. The cryogenic tank may store multiple racks such that at most a single rack is removable through the inner door or the outer door. The cryogenic tank may store the multiple racks in multiple groups of racks comprising a first group of racks located at a first radial distance and a second group of racks located at a second radial distance that is greater than the first radial distance. The robot apparatus may selectively open and close the inner or outer doors, and insert or withdraw the single rack into or out of the cryogenic tank through the inner door or the outer door.