Modular thermal device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable refrigeration systems are inefficient and unreliable for maintaining refrigeration in remote, tactical environments due to limited battery longevity and variability in ambient temperatures, which can render medical supplies unusable and compromise mission success.
Innovation Solution
A modular cooling/heating device with a micro-refrigeration system using a liquid thermal-transfer medium, integrated heater, and DC power source, along with thermal barriers and engageable fluidic couplings, provides efficient and continuous refrigeration by maintaining a thermal vessel at a stable temperature within an insulated enclosure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional portable refrigeration systems are used in remote environments, then refrigeration capability is provided, but battery longevity is insufficient and refrigeration reliability deteriorates under variable ambient temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the refrigeration function into two independent components: a thermal source (refrigeration unit) and a thermal exchanger (insulated enclosure with cooling coils). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables flexible deployment configurations, improving overall system reliability in remote environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal transfer medium serves multiple functions: it transfers cooling from the thermal source to the thermal exchanger, and can be circulated continuously to maintain refrigeration. The system can operate in different configurations (integrated or separated) and adapt to various ambient conditions, enhancing versatility and reliability.
2Temperature
If conventional refrigeration systems operate in variable ambient temperatures, then cooling is provided, but temperature stability deteriorates and medical supplies become unusable
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-cools the thermal transfer medium in the thermal source before circulating it through the thermal exchanger. The insulated enclosure is pre-prepared with cooling coils, and the system can be deployed ahead of time to establish stable temperatures, ensuring medical supplies maintain proper temperature even in variable ambient conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal transfer medium (liquid coolant) acts as an intermediary between the thermal source and the thermal exchanger, providing stable heat transfer regardless of ambient temperature fluctuations. This liquid medium maintains consistent thermal properties and enables reliable temperature control of medical supplies.
3Duration of action of moving object
If ice and cold packs are used as temporary thermal buffers, then portable cooling is achieved, but longevity is limited and bulk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a self-circulating thermal transfer medium that continuously absorbs heat from medical supplies in the thermal exchanger and releases it to the thermal source. This active circulation system provides extended cooling duration without requiring large quantities of ice or cold packs, reducing bulk while maintaining longevity.
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 modular system efficiently maintains refrigeration for extended periods, ensuring the integrity of medical supplies and improving warfighter safety by providing reliable cooling/heating capabilities in extreme environments.
Implementation Method 1
exchanging a liquid thermal-transfer medium, such as available tap water or alcohol-glycol mixture, with a thermal exchanger disposed within the insulated enclosure
Implementation Method 2
pumping the cooled/heated water to the thermal exchanger
Implementation Method 3
The insulated enclosure employs thermal barriers for increasing a thermal inertia of the interior volume of the insulated enclosure
Implementation Method 4
a DC powered refrigeration apparatus integrated with a heater and a liquid pump for cooling/heating the thermal-transfer medium
Data Source
AI summary
A modular cooling/heating device includes a thermal plant such as a micro-refrigeration system with an integrated heater for providing remote, on-site cooling/heating to an insulated enclosure defining a modular cooling volume by exchanging a liquid thermal-transfer medium, such as available tap water or alcohol-glycol mixture, with a thermal exchanger disposed within the insulated enclosure. A thermal source adapted for thermal exchange with a fluidic transfer medium combined with an engageable fluidic coupling between the thermal source and the thermal exchanger provides for detachable engagement of the thermal exchanger in a verity of contexts. The thermal exchange may take the form of a flexible, fluid carrying pouch, or a rigid thermal vessel having substantial vacuum and phase-change lining features for thermal inertia. Both may be combined with an integrated, insulated enclosure including the battery and thermal source as a combined, portable package.