Internal Heating in Negative-Pressure Release Ports for Freeze Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultra-low temperature refrigeration apparatuses face issues with heat retention due to the large diameter of negative pressure release ports, which leads to inefficient heating of air in the flow path, causing condensation and freezing, and affecting the overall cooling ability.
Innovation Solution
A negative pressure release port is integrated into the heat-insulating member with a heating element placed inside the pipe, allowing efficient heating of air and preventing condensation and freezing, while maintaining a compact design that enhances heat retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heating coil is disposed on the outside of the body, then the body can be heated to prevent freezing, but the diameter of the negative pressure release port becomes large, decreasing heat retaining property
Solution Approach 1:
The heating coil is disposed inside the flow path of the negative pressure release port, nesting the heating element within the existing structure. This eliminates the need for an enlarged outer diameter while still providing effective heating to prevent freezing in the flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
Heating is applied locally only to the flow path where freezing occurs, rather than heating the entire body. This localized heating approach prevents freezing in the critical area while minimizing overall heat loss and maintaining compact dimensions.
2Temperature
If the heating coil is disposed on the outside of the body, then the body can be heated, but heat easily leaks to the outside, making it difficult to efficiently raise the temperature of the air in the flow path
Solution Approach 1:
The heating coil is nested inside the flow path, directly heating the air as it passes through. This internal placement ensures heat is transferred efficiently to the air without leaking to the outside, raising the air temperature effectively while minimizing energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path itself acts as an intermediary medium, conducting heat from the heating coil directly to the air. This intermediate structure enables efficient heat transfer from the heating element to the air without significant heat loss to the surrounding environment.
3Reliability
If the heating coil is disposed on the outside of the body, then the body can be heated, but the temperature of the entire body rises, affecting the cooling ability of the refrigeration apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
Heating is applied locally only to the flow path where freezing occurs, rather than heating the entire body. This localized approach prevents freezing in the critical area while minimizing the temperature rise of the entire body, thereby preserving the cooling ability of the refrigeration apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating coil is nested inside the flow path, confining the heating effect to a small localized area. This prevents heat from spreading to the entire body, maintaining the overall low temperature required for effective refrigeration while still preventing freezing in the flow path.
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 solution effectively heats air in the flow path, prevents condensation and freezing, and removes ice, thereby improving the refrigeration apparatus's cooling efficiency and maintaining the heat retention properties.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element (18) placed inside the pipe (12)
Implementation Method 2
a box separated from an external space by a heat insulating member
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Provided is a negative pressure release port that can prevent freezing in a channel. This negative pressure release port (9) comprises: a cylindrical member made of a pipe (12) in which a fluid can pass through and a base (17); a heating element (18) disposed on one end inside the pipe (12); a retaining member (12b) that retains the heating element (18); a rib (12d) that connects an inner wall face (12c) of the pipe (12) and the retaining member (12b); and a check valve that is provided inside the base (17) provided more toward the other end than the heating element (18), that allows air passing through the interior of the base (17) to flow from the other end to the one end, and prevents flow from the one end to the other end.