Dry Ice CO2 Incubator for Portable Culture Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing culture incubation devices face challenges in achieving precise and reliable CO2 metering due to pressure issues associated with the use of self-liquefied CO2 from pressure cartridges, particularly in portable incubators during transport.
Innovation Solution
The device uses dry ice stored in an open container for sublimation to provide CO2, which is metered into the culture chamber using a valve and metering pump, ensuring precise control and avoiding pressure problems, and includes a fan for homogeneous gas exchange and impact-resistant mounting for safe transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If self-liquefied CO2 from pressure cartridges is used directly, then CO2 supply is ensured, but pressure control precision deteriorates and safety worsens during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of CO2 from liquid (in pressure cartridges) to solid (dry ice). This parameter change eliminates the pressure control issues associated with liquid CO2 expansion, as solid dry ice sublimates at a controlled rate without generating high pressures, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliable CO2 supply and precise pressure control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of CO2 from solid (dry ice) to gas (sublimation) as the source of CO2 supply. This phase transition occurs at atmospheric pressure and provides a controlled, gradual release of CO2 gas, eliminating the need for pressure reduction fittings and valves while ensuring reliable and safe CO2 supply during transport
2Productivity
If liquid CO2 expansion is used, then CO2 delivery is achieved, but overpressure risks increase during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces liquid CO2 expansion with solid CO2 sublimation. The sublimation process occurs at atmospheric pressure and generates CO2 gas at a controlled rate, completely eliminating the overpressure risks associated with liquid CO2 expansion and pressure reduction systems while maintaining effective CO2 delivery to the culture chamber
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the pressure reduction fitting and associated pressure control components from the system. By using dry ice sublimation instead of liquid CO2 expansion, the harmful overpressure risks are removed while CO2 delivery efficiency is maintained through the natural sublimation process
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
This solution enables precise and safe CO2 metering and incubation, preventing overpressure issues and ensuring stable incubation conditions, even during long-distance transport, by using dry ice sublimation and impact-resistant design.
Implementation Method 1
the incubation gas CO2 is in use provided for incubation by sublimation by means of dry ice
Implementation Method 2
the culture chamber includes a fan for gas exchange in the culture chamber in order to provide a maximally homogeneous composition in respect of the possible different gaseous constituents of the atmosphere in the culture chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for incubating cultures, comprising a culture chamber storing the cultures, the cultures being fumigated with an incubation gas. The invention is characterized in that the incubation gas source is used when incubating the cultures with the incubation gas source which is free of liquid incubation gas.