High temperature resistant shipping container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shipping containers fail to effectively protect temperature-sensitive contents, such as lithium batteries, from extreme temperatures above 1000°F for extended periods, posing a risk of fire and explosion, as existing phase-change packaging solutions degrade and allow heat penetration.
Innovation Solution
A robust, durable, reusable container design featuring an inner chamber with a phase change liquid (PCL) matrix and high-temperature insulation, which maintains the inner chamber at a controlled temperature by vaporizing the PCL and limiting heat flux, while preventing evaporation during normal storage and allowing vapor escape during heat exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If phase-change packaging is used to protect contents from heat, then temperature protection is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates at temperatures above 1000°F causing gaps and heat penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining rigid heat-resistant walls (maintaining structural integrity at 1000°F) with phase-change material packs (提供相变温度保护). This composite approach allows the rigid framework to maintain structural stability while the phase-change materials provide active thermal protection, resolving the contradiction between temperature protection and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible thermal barriers or coatings on the interior surfaces of the rigid walls that can adapt to thermal expansion and contraction without creating gaps. These flexible layers maintain the seal and thermal barrier properties even when the rigid structure undergoes thermal stress, preventing heat penetration through gaps.
2Temperature
If phase-change material packs are used to shield contents, then heat protection is improved, but the packs shrink and sag when vaporizing substance is consumed, opening gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses rigid structural supports and spacing elements that counteract the gravitational sagging of phase-change material packs as they consume vaporizing substance. These support structures maintain the packs in their intended positions throughout the duration of the fire protection period, preventing gap formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the phase-change material packs with dynamic expansion capability, where the packs are initially over-expanded or include expandable components that compensate for the volume reduction as vaporizing substance is consumed. This dynamic adjustment maintains continuous thermal coverage throughout the protection duration.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid walls are used to hold phase-change packs in place, then structural stability is improved, but heat insulation effectiveness decreases due to gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces flexible thermal barrier layers or sealants as intermediary materials between the rigid walls and phase-change material packs. These intermediaries fill and seal any gaps that form, maintaining thermal insulation effectiveness while allowing the rigid walls to maintain their structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses porous insulating materials that can deform and flow to fill gaps between rigid structural elements and phase-change packs. These porous materials maintain thermal insulation by conforming to the changing geometry as packs shrink or move, ensuring continuous heat protection.
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 container maintains the inner chamber at a safe temperature below 300°F for at least 3.5 hours, meeting DOT criteria by providing sufficient phase change heat capacity and insulation, thus preventing lithium battery explosions and adhering to safety regulations.
Implementation Method 1
A robust, durable, easy to use, reusable container is disclosed that is capable of protecting contents from surrounding high temperatures up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of at least three and a half hours. The container includes an inner chamber surrounded by an outer shell. A phase change liquid ('PCL') material sequestered in a matrix contained in the inner chamber, while the space between the inner chamber and the outer shell walls is filled with high temperature insulation
Implementation Method 2
The PCL flashes to gas and maintains the temperature within the inner chamber at the vaporization temperature of the PCL
Implementation Method 3
the space between the inner chamber and the outer shell walls is filled with high temperature insulation, forming an outer barrier layer that reduces the heat flux into the inner chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A robust, durable, easy to use, reusable shipping container is disclosed that is capable of protecting contents from surrounding high temperatures up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of at least three and a half hours. The container includes an inner chamber surrounded by an outer chamber. A phase change liquid (PCL) is sequestered in a porous support matrix contained in the inner chamber, while the outer chamber is filled with high temperature insulation, forming an outer barrier layer that is designed to reduce heat flux into the inner chamber.