Fluid conditioning apparatus
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for heating, cooling, and infusing beverages and food containers are limited in efficiency, often requiring laborious operation, inefficient thermal management, and restricted fluid mechanics, while existing infusers face challenges in achieving effective fluid communication and particulate infusion.
Innovation Solution
A fluid conditioning apparatus comprising a vessel with a circulating mechanism that allows fluid to circulate through a carriage, enabling rapid thermal energy exchange and fluid communication with a container, and an infuser system that exposes contents to the fluid for efficient infusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a passive immersed heat sink is used for cooling, then the device structure is simple, but the cooling efficiency is low and requires long duration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static heat sink into a dynamic system by implementing a rotating blade mechanism that actively circulates fluid through the heat exchange surface. This dynamic fluid circulation significantly enhances heat transfer efficiency compared to passive immersion, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and low efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using a circulating fluid medium that is pumped through the heat sink structure. This fluid circulation system enables efficient thermal energy transfer while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure, addressing both requirements simultaneously.
2Productivity
If manual agitation is used for infusion, then the infusion effectiveness is limited, but the device structure remains simple
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual agitation with an automated rotating blade mechanism that dynamically mixes the fluid and particulates. This dynamic mixing action significantly improves infusion effectiveness by enhancing contact between the fluid and particulate matter, while the mechanism integrates into the existing device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs infusion automatically through the rotating blade mechanism without requiring manual intervention. The fluid circulation and mixing occur self-sufficiently within the device, eliminating the need for user agitation while maintaining effectiveness.
3Reliability
If repeated refilling of loose ice cubes is required, then the cooling function is maintained, but the operation becomes laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a continuous fluid circulation system that maintains cooling function without interruption. The circulating fluid continuously absorbs and removes heat from the container, eliminating the need for periodic refilling of ice cubes and providing uninterrupted cooling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system operates autonomously through the circulating fluid mechanism, automatically maintaining the cooling function without requiring user intervention for refilling or maintenance. The system serves itself by continuously circulating the cooling medium.
4Productivity
If a rotating blade mechanism is used for fluid circulation, then thermal energy exchange efficiency is rapidly improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating blade mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it circulates the fluid for heat exchange, provides mixing for infusion, and drives the overall fluid dynamics within the device. This multi-functionality achieves rapid thermal energy exchange without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the fluid circulation function, heat exchange function, and infusion mixing function into a single integrated rotating blade mechanism. By merging these functions into one component, the system achieves high productivity without excessive structural complexity.
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 apparatus efficiently conditions containers by rapidly heating, cooling, or infusing liquids, improving upon existing technologies by enhancing thermal management and fluid mechanics, allowing for effective infusion of particulates without manual agitation.
Implementation Method 1
The vessel's circulating means is activated and the fluid circulates within the vessel, through the carriage, and around or through the container within the carriage rapidly exchanging thermal energy or fluid communication
Implementation Method 2
a container cooling device that utilizes a sandwich of rotating solid heat sinks to draw heat energy away from the container as the heat sinks are rotated about the container's outside surface
Implementation Method 3
an immersible heat sink in the form of a sealed volume of 'freezeable' material. The device is first frozen and, when ready to be utilized, is simply immersed into a container of liquid desired to be cooled
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for fluid conditioning of an object and materials located therein. The apparatus comprises a vessel, a perforated carriage insert, and a lid. The vessel further includes a liquid in fluidic communication with the perforated carriage insert. A circulating means is mounted within the vessel and is driven by an external power source.