Dry Ice Cooler Venting for Leak-Free Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable coolers are inadequate for maintaining temperature-sensitive goods during transport due to ice melting and potential leakage, leading to product spoilage and environmental issues, as they are often single-use and not suitable for long-distance transportation.
Innovation Solution
A portable cooler system with a double-walled insulated vessel containing a cooling unit filled with dry ice, where variable apertures controlled by circuitry or pressure differential release chilled gas to maintain predetermined temperature ranges, and a pressure relief valve to manage pressure, ensuring effective cooling and containment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ice is used as cooling material in traditional portable coolers, then the cooler can provide cooling function, but the ice eventually melts causing product soaking and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary containment system - a sealed cooling material container with overflow channel that mediates between the cooling material (dry ice) and the payload chamber. This intermediary structure captures and redirects sublimation gas through controlled apertures, preventing direct contact between cooling material and products while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful byproduct (sublimation gas) from the cooling process by providing dedicated escape pathways through variable apertures and overflow channels. This separates the useful cooling effect from the harmful gas accumulation, allowing the gas to be vented safely without soaking products or causing container failure.
2Temperature
If traditional single-use coolers are used, then they can provide cooling function, but they end up in landfills after single use causing environmental issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a reusable container system where the cooling material container and payload chamber can be recovered and reused. The design allows for refilling with new cooling material while retaining the durable container structure, eliminating the need to discard the entire cooler after single use and reducing environmental waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal container system that can accommodate different types of cooling material (dry ice, gel packs, ice) and various payloads. The standardized container design with adjustable components can serve multiple cooling scenarios, reducing the need for single-use specialized coolers and minimizing environmental impact.
3Length of moving object
If traditional coolers are used for long-distance transportation, then they can transport goods, but they cannot maintain product in cooled state due to ice melting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of cooling gas release through variable apertures that can adjust their opening size based on conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain optimal cooling levels throughout long-distance transport, adapting to changing temperature conditions and preventing both overheating and excessive freezing that would occur with static ice-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of dry ice (solid to gas sublimation) as a more effective and controllable cooling mechanism compared to ice melting. The sublimation process provides consistent cooling over longer periods and allows for better gas management through controlled apertures, enabling reliable temperature maintenance during extended transportation.
4Reliability
If cooling material is contained in sealed vessel, then leakage is prevented, but pressure builds up requiring pressure relief mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides rapid pressure relief pathways through overflow channels and variable apertures that can quickly vent excess pressure when thresholds are exceeded. This allows the sealed container to maintain integrity under normal conditions while having built-in emergency release mechanisms that activate when pressure becomes dangerous, preventing catastrophic failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements pressure-sensitive feedback mechanisms where the state of the variable apertures and overflow channels automatically responds to internal pressure conditions. When pressure builds up, the system self-regulates by opening relief pathways, and when pressure normalizes, the pathways close again, creating a self-balancing pressure management system.
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 maintains temperature-sensitive goods within precise temperature ranges, prevents leakage, and allows for multiple uses, making it suitable for long-distance transportation while reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling unit including a vessel filled with a cooling material (e.g., dry ice) and closed with a lid. One or more variable apertures of the cooling unit are operable to controllably release a chilled gas (e.g., CO2 gas) generated by the cooling material into the payload chamber
Implementation Method 2
an insulated vessel having a payload chamber configured to receive a payload of one or more temperature sensitive or perishable goods
Data Source
AI summary
A portable cooler container is provided, with a payload chamber for one or more temperature sensitive or perishable goods. A cooling unit is disposed in the payload chamber. The cooling unit includes a vessel filled with a cooling material (e.g., dry ice) and closed with a lid. One or more variable apertures of the cooling unit are operable to controllably release a chilled gas (e.g., CO2 gas) generated by the cooling material into the payload chamber of the vessel to cool the payload.