Cryogenic Freezer Lid-Linked Obturator to Reduce Temperature Rise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryogenic freezing devices for biological substances, such as animal semen, experience temperature rises when the lid is open due to ambient air cooling and contracting, leading to potential damage from temperature fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A freezing device with a mechanically connected obturator that closes the vapor venting aperture when the lid is open, preventing ambient air from entering and minimizing temperature increases within the receptacle, while avoiding excess pressure and frost accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lid is opened for introducing packaging units into the receptacle, then the introduction of products is enabled, but ambient air enters the receptacle causing temperature rise
Solution Approach 1:
The obturator acts as an intermediary element that selectively controls the aperture. When the lid is open, the obturator closes the aperture to prevent ambient air entry; when the lid is closed, the obturator moves away to allow vapor venting. This mediator resolves the contradiction by enabling product introduction while blocking the harmful temperature rise pathway.
Solution Approach 2:
The obturator is designed to move dynamically between two positions based on lid state. It is mechanically linked to the lid so that its position automatically changes with lid opening/closing. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt to operational needs while maintaining temperature stability.
2Temperature
If the aperture is kept closed to prevent ambient air entry, then temperature stability is improved, but excess pressure builds up in the receptacle
Solution Approach 1:
The obturator dynamically switches between closed and open states based on lid position. When the lid is closed, the obturator moves away from the aperture, opening the pathway for vapor venting and preventing pressure buildup. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction between temperature stability and pressure management.
Solution Approach 2:
The obturator selectively extracts or blocks the aperture opening based on operational phase. During product introduction (lid open), it blocks the aperture to prevent air entry. During normal operation (lid closed), it opens the aperture to extract excess vapor and maintain pressure balance.
3Stress or pressure
If the aperture is opened to vent vapor and avoid excess pressure, then pressure control is improved, but ambient air enters causing temperature rise
Solution Approach 1:
The obturator's position is dynamically coupled to the lid state through mechanical linkage. It only opens the aperture when the lid is closed, ensuring that vapor venting occurs without ambient air contamination. This dynamic coordination resolves the contradiction between pressure control and temperature stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The obturator is pre-positioned to block the aperture when the lid is open, preventing ambient air entry before the harmful effect can occur. This preliminary protective action is automatically reversed when the lid closes, allowing controlled vapor venting without air contamination.
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 solution effectively limits temperature rises during the freezing process, ensuring the integrity of biological substances by maintaining a stable environment and preventing frost accumulation, thus enhancing the preservation of cryopreserved semen.
Implementation Method 1
a receptacle configured in order for a stream of vapor of a cryogenic agent to flow therein
Implementation Method 2
the stream of liquid nitrogen vapor flows in the receptacle 2 within which are disposed products 11 which here are straws on freezing racks
Implementation Method 3
when the freezer is in open position, the ambient air, in contact with the nitrogen vapor, cools, contracts and enters the freezer
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for cryogenic freezing of units for packaging a biological substance comprising a receptacle (2) configured such that a stream of vapour of a cryogenic agent circulates therein, having at its top an insertion opening (10) for inserting the packaging units into the receptacle (2), a lid (3) that is able to move between a closed position in which it closes the insertion opening (10) and an open position in which it leaves the insertion opening (10) open, and a port (4) for discharging the vapour, provided in the receptacle (2), characterised in that the device (1) further comprises a stopper (13) mechanically connected to the lid (3) such that, when the lid (3) is in the closed position, the stopper (13) is spaced apart from the port (4) and, when the lid (3) is in the open position, the stopper (13) closes the port (4).