LN2 Fill Gauge Level Indicating Device for Cryogenic Shipper
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in shipping biological materials at cryogenic temperatures is the risk of thermal shock and vacuum breaches in dry vapor shippers due to rapid filling with liquid nitrogen, which can cause damage to the shipper's materials with different thermal expansion coefficients, necessitating a method to slowly fill and monitor the LN2 level to prevent contact with joints.
Innovation Solution
A fill gauge level apparatus with a cylindrical body, sensor, and indicator is integrated into the dry vapor shipper to detect and indicate when the LN2 has reached a threshold level, preventing thermal shock and vacuum breaches by acting as a physical barrier and automatically controlling the LN2 source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the dewar is filled with liquid nitrogen rapidly, then the filling speed is improved, but thermal shock occurs causing cracking, separation or residual stress between joints of dissimilar materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a level indicating device that provides visual feedback (colored bands at different heights) to show the liquid nitrogen fill level in real-time. This feedback mechanism allows operators to monitor the filling process and stop before reaching critical levels that would cause thermal shock to joints, thus resolving the contradiction between fast filling and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary level indicating device that acts as a mediator between the filling process and the dewar structure. The colored bands serve as a visual intermediary that communicates the fill level status, enabling operators to control the filling rate and prevent thermal shock without directly interfering with the filling operation.
2Reliability
If the dewar is filled slowly to allow materials to acclimate, then thermal shock is prevented, but the filling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-marking the safe fill level thresholds on the dewar body with colored bands before filling begins. This allows operators to quickly identify the maximum safe fill level and control the filling process efficiently, preventing thermal shock without requiring slow filling, thus reducing filling time while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual feedback from colored bands provides immediate information about the fill level, enabling operators to adjust filling speed dynamically. This feedback mechanism allows for optimized filling - fast when the level is low, and controlled when approaching the threshold - resolving the time-reliability contradiction.
3Quantity of substance
If the LN2 level contacts the joints between dissimilar materials, then the filling capacity is maximized, but vacuum breaches occur due to thermal shock
Solution Approach 1:
The level indicating device with colored bands provides visual feedback that shows the safe fill level threshold before vacuum breaches can occur. This feedback enables operators to stop filling at the appropriate level, maximizing LN2 capacity while preventing thermal shock to joints that would cause vacuum breaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-marked colored bands perform preliminary action by indicating the maximum safe fill level in advance. This allows operators to plan and control the filling process to achieve maximum capacity without exceeding the threshold that would cause vacuum breaches, resolving the contradiction between quantity and reliability.
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
Ensures precise and accurate filling of LN2 within the shipper, preventing thermal shock and vacuum breaches, while providing a visual and automated indication of the fill level, thus protecting the shipper and maintaining the integrity of the cryogenic environment.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor for measuring a medium within the shipper
Data Source
AI summary
Method, system, apparatus, and/or device for determining when the dewar is filled with a medium. The fill gauge level apparatus includes a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body has a base on one end, a flange on an opposite open end and a cavity. The fill gauge level apparatus includes a fill gauge level device. The fill gauge level device is coupled to the cylindrical body and is positioned within the cavity. The fill gauge level devices includes a sensor for measuring a medium within a shipper. The fill gauge level devices includes an indicator. The indicator provides an indication when the medium has been filled to a threshold level within the shipper.