Mobile dehydrator and method of use thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dehydrator technologies are not self-contained, making them unsuitable for transporting and using on-site, and they fail to maximize drying space and energy efficiency for commercial quantities of fruits, vegetables, and other plant and animal materials.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained dehydrator plant housed within an intermodal container, featuring a ductless drying chamber and a slidably mounted equipment module that extends for heat exchange, equipped with sufficient capacity heat pumps and fans for efficient drying with minimal power consumption and maintenance costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dehydrator is designed as a self-contained intermodal container, then portability and on-site usability are improved, but device complexity increases due to integrating all components within the container
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drying chamber, equipment module, heat pumps, fans, and control systems into a single integrated intermodal container unit. All components are housed within the container structure, creating a self-contained dehydrator that can be transported and deployed as one complete system, thereby achieving portability while managing complexity through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermodal container serves multiple functions: it provides the drying chamber enclosure, houses the equipment module, facilitates transport, and enables on-site deployment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and supports the self-contained nature of the system.
2Use of energy by moving object
If external heat exchangers are mounted on the outer side of the exterior wall, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but the dehydrator is no longer fully self-contained and requires external mounting structures
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange function is extracted from external mounting and integrated into the container structure itself. The heat exchangers are positioned within the container to utilize the exterior wall surface area for heat exchange with the ambient environment, eliminating the need for external mounting structures while maintaining thermal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchange components are nested within the container structure, utilizing the wall thickness and internal space to accommodate heat exchanger elements while maintaining external surface area for thermal interaction with the environment.
3Quantity of substance
If the drying chamber is designed to maximize product space, then drying capacity is improved, but space for heat exchange components and equipment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The container interior is segmented into distinct zones: a large drying chamber for product placement and an equipment module for housing heat pumps, fans, and control systems. This segmentation allows optimization of each zone for its specific function while maintaining overall system integration within the container.
Solution Approach 2:
The equipment module is positioned to utilize the depth dimension of the container, extending toward the front door, while the drying chamber occupies the remaining volume. This dimensional arrangement maximizes product space in the drying chamber while providing adequate room for equipment operations.
4Device complexity
If the equipment module is fixed within the container, then structural simplicity is improved, but adaptability for transport and on-site deployment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The equipment module is designed with movable characteristics, allowing it to be positioned and repositioned within the container. This dynamic positioning capability enables the module to be accessed from the front door during transport and deployment operations, while maintaining a stable configuration during drying operations.
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 efficient drying of commercial quantities of products to desired moisture levels with acceptable energy efficiency and airflow, maximizing space and reducing maintenance costs, while being transportable and suitable for on-site use.
Implementation Method 1
a heat pump dehumidifier including a subcooler, a desuperheater, at least two condensers, a compressor, an expansion valve and an evaporator, all in fluid communication
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator, all in fluid communication; the subcooler, the desuperheater, the expansion valve and the compressor housed in the refrigeration equipment chamber and at least two condensers and the evaporator housed in the air conditioning chamber
Implementation Method 3
a bank of fans, the bank of fans located in the rear wall and in fluid communication with the equipment module and the drying chamber
Implementation Method 4
at least two condensers and the evaporator housed in the air conditioning chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A fully self-contained, portable product dehydrator is provided comprising: an intermodal container housing an equipment module, the equipment module including a refrigeration equipment chamber proximate the front door and an air conditioning chamber behind the refrigeration equipment chamber, the equipment module retained in the interior and moveable from a retracted position to an extended position, wherein when in the extended position, the refrigeration equipment chamber is substantially exposed to an ambient environment, outside the front door; a heat pump dehumidifier including a subcooler, a desuperheater, electronic expansion valve and a compressor, housed in the refrigeration equipment chamber and at least two condensers and evaporator housed in the air conditioning chamber; a drying chamber, the drying chamber defined by the interior and the rear door; a motor control center; and a control panel; in electronic communication with the heat pump dehumidifier and the fans.