Immiscible PCM Vessel Assembly for Shipping Temperature Range Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Single phase change materials (PCMs) are ineffective in maintaining a payload temperature across a range of temperatures, leading to excess packaging and potential errors in temperature control during shipping, as they cannot effectively bracket both ends of the desired temperature range.

Innovation Solution

A vessel assembly with a single chamber containing two immiscible PCMs, one operating at the upper limit and the other at the lower limit of the temperature range, which are in contact but do not mix, reducing packaging materials and manufacturing costs while preventing incorrect mixtures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If multiple PCMs are placed in separate vessels, then temperature control across a range is achieved, but packaging materials increase and empty spaces are added

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control rangeVSAvoidpackaging materials

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple immiscible PCMs into a single vessel, merging what would traditionally be separate packaging units. This reduces the quantity of packaging materials and eliminates empty spaces between multiple vessels, while maintaining the ability to control temperature across a range through the complementary phase change temperatures of the different PCMs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Temperature

If multiple PCMs are placed in separate vessels, then temperature control across a range is achieved, but device complexity and potential for error increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control rangeVSAvoidpackaging arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple PCMs into a single integrated vessel, the patent simplifies the packaging arrangement. The single vessel design eliminates the complexity of arranging multiple separate vessels and prevents errors in mixture composition, as the immiscible PCMs are contained together in a predetermined ratio within the same vessel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a single PCM is used, then packaging is simplified, but temperature control across a range is ineffective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging simplicityVSAvoidtemperature range control

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite system of immiscible PCMs within a single vessel. Each PCM has a distinct phase change temperature, and together they create a composite temperature control system that maintains temperature across a range. The immiscibility ensures each PCM functions independently at its specific temperature threshold, providing both packaging simplicity and effective temperature range control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Use of energy by moving object

If miscible PCMs are mixed, then thermal properties are enhanced, but phase separation and loss of individual functionality occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal energy absorptionVSAvoidPCM phase separation

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the immiscibility of the PCMs as a natural separator or intermediary mechanism. Because the PCMs are immiscible, they automatically separate into distinct phases, ensuring that each PCM maintains its individual thermal properties and phase change temperature. This prevents the loss of functionality that would occur if the PCMs were miscible and mixed at the molecular level

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively maintains payload temperature across a range by reducing packaging materials, simplifying manufacturing and use, and preventing errors in temperature control, while maintaining the thermal properties of individual PCMs.

Implementation Method 1

The PCM offsets the heat energy entering or leaving the shipper box, by absorbing or releasing energy as it changes temperature or as it changes phase from solid to a liquid, solid to a gas or from a liquid to a gas (or vice versa)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

The PCM offsets the heat energy entering or leaving the shipper box, by absorbing or releasing energy as it changes temperature or as it changes phase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLatent heat: Latent Heat

Implementation Method 3

a plurality of PCMs are in contact, but immiscible, with each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImmiscibility:

Data Source

PatentUS12129094B2Multiple immiscible phase change materials contained in common vessel

Publication Date: 2024.10.29 AMERICAN AEROGEL CORP

AI summary

This present disclosure provides a vessel assembly for use in temperature sensitive shipping that can maintain a payload temperature across a range of temperatures. The vessel assembly of the present disclosure comprises a vessel having a single chamber, in which a plurality of PCMs are in contact, but immiscible, with each other. The present disclosure reduces the overall packaging materials used in a shipper box and prevents the “wrong” mixture of PCM-containing vessels from being used.