Portable Cooling Unit With Desiccant-Evaporative Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling systems for storage containers, particularly those used for medicinal agents like vaccines, face challenges in maintaining precise temperature ranges without external power and with minimal power consumption, while also being portable and reusable.
Innovation Solution
A portable cooling unit incorporating a desiccant unit and an evaporative cooling unit connected by a gas-impermeable vapor conduit, with a vapor control unit to manage vapor flow, allowing for temperature regulation between 0°C and 10°C without external power, using a combination of desiccant and evaporative cooling principles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used for storage containers, then cooling function is provided, but external power is required and portability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system uses the contents of the storage container itself as the cooling medium. The liquid in the container undergoes evaporative cooling, absorbing heat from the container interior without requiring external power sources. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate refrigerants and external power supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits the phase transition of the liquid contents from liquid to vapor state. During evaporation, the liquid absorbs latent heat from the container interior, providing cooling effect. The vapor then condenses on the cooler surfaces, releasing heat to the exterior, thus creating a natural refrigeration cycle driven by phase changes.
2Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used, then temperature control is achieved, but portability and reusability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the storage vessel for the liquid and the cooling system. The container walls function as heat transfer surfaces, and the liquid contents serve as both the stored material and the refrigerant. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cooling apparatus and reduces overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the storage function and cooling function into a single integrated system. The storage container and cooling system are combined such that the container structure itself facilitates the cooling process through controlled vaporization and condensation of its contents, eliminating the need for separate cooling units.
3Measurement precision
If precise temperature control is required without external power, then temperature range maintenance is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates temperature sensors that continuously monitor the interior temperature of the storage container. This temperature information is fed back to a control mechanism that adjusts the vaporization rate or condensation process accordingly, maintaining the temperature within the desired range through automatic feedback control without requiring external power sources.
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 maintains a predetermined temperature range for extended periods, is portable, and requires minimal power, making it suitable for vaccine storage and shipping, with the ability to recharge and reuse, thus addressing the limitations of existing cooling technologies.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporative cooling unit including at least one exterior wall substantially defining an interior evaporative region
Implementation Method 2
a desiccant unit including at least one exterior wall substantially defining an interior desiccant region
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a portable cooling unit for use with a storage container includes: a desiccant unit including at least one exterior wall defining an interior desiccant region, wherein the interior desiccant region is sealed from gas transfer between the interior desiccant region and a region external to the cooling unit; an evaporative cooling unit including at least one exterior wall defining an interior evaporative region, wherein the interior evaporative region is sealed from gas transfer between the interior evaporative region and the region external to the cooling unit; a vapor conduit including a first and a second end, the vapor conduit attached to the desiccant unit at the first end, the vapor conduit attached to the evaporative cooling unit at the second end, the vapor conduit forming a passageway between the interior desiccant region and the interior evaporative region; and a vapor control unit attached to the vapor conduit.