Two-Stage Gem Cooling Block for Fast Cryogenic Spectral Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooling apparatuses for gems are inefficient, requiring prolonged cooling times and complex mechanisms, which limit production capacity and increase costs, and often involve undesirable interactions with the cooling medium and the need for a closed environment with moisture-free gas infusion.
Innovation Solution
A cooling apparatus with a container and a high heat capacity cooling block, where the space not occupied by the block is filled with a coolant, and a placement structure with high thermal conductivity positioned outside the coolant-filled space, allowing for rapid cooling without a closed environment or moisture-free gas infusion, using a two-stage cooling process with thermally insulating and light-reflective materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If direct immersion of the gemstone in the cooling medium is employed, then rapid cooling is achieved, but undesirable interaction between the cooling medium and spectral information occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary cooling block that mediates between the coolant and the gemstone. The cooling block is immersed in the coolant while the gemstone rests on its surface, allowing thermal energy to transfer from the gemstone through the block to the coolant without direct contact between the gemstone and coolant, thus preventing spectral contamination while maintaining efficient cooling
2Stability of the object's composition
If a closed environment with moisture-free gas infusion is used, then condensation is prevented, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic closed environment and gas infusion mechanism entirely from the system. By using an open-container design where the cooling block serves as both coolant holder and sample platform, the invention eliminates the need for sealed chambers and moisture-free gas systems, achieving condensation prevention through thermal management rather than environmental control
3Temperature
If prolonged cooling periods are required, then thorough cooling is achieved, but production capacity is severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling function into two distinct components: the cooling block that stores thermal energy and the coolant that continuously replenishes it. This segmentation allows the system to achieve thorough cooling rapidly by combining the high heat capacity of the block with the continuous heat absorption of the coolant, reducing cooling time from 20-30 minutes to under 5 minutes while maintaining complete thermal equilibrium
4Temperature
If bulky and complex apparatus are used, then cooling function is achieved, but mechanical failure risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service cooling system where the cooling block automatically maintains thermal contact with the coolant through its own weight and thermal expansion properties. The block's high heat capacity allows it to self-regulate temperature fluctuations, and the open-container design eliminates complex seals and moving parts, creating a inherently reliable system that requires minimal maintenance and intervention
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
Enables rapid cooling of gems to cryogenic temperatures, reducing analysis time and costs, improving spectral analysis accuracy with higher signal-to-noise ratio and spectral resolution, and minimizing mechanical failures.
Implementation Method 1
A cooling block of high heat capacity is provided, and the top surface of the cooling block is positioned below the walls of the coolant container
Implementation Method 2
the space not occupied by the cooling block is filled with a coolant to a level at or below the top of the cooling block
Implementation Method 3
a placement structure of high thermal conductivity is provided, and the placement structure is positioned on top of the cooling block
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling apparatus includes a container configured to contain a coolant within a space. The apparatus further includes a cooling block positioned substantially within the space and having a high heat capacity such that the space not occupied by the cooling block is filled with a coolant to a level at or below the top of the cooling block, and a placement structure having high thermal conductivity positioned on top of the cooling block and outside of the space. A method for cooling an object is also provided, which includes inserting a coolant into a container configured to contain the coolant within a space, and placing the object on a placement structure outside the space. For this method, the placement structure has a high thermal conductivity and is coupled to a cooling block, the cooling block having a high heat capacity and positioned substantially within the space. A two-stage cooling apparatus and method is also described.