Multi-Form Coolant Composition for Versatile Thermal Applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current coolant compositions are limited in their ability to be safely applied across a variety of application areas without significant re-engineering due to their cooling properties and packaging design.
Innovation Solution
A coolant composition comprising glycerol, an aqueous solution of menthol, calcium hydroxide, barium hydroxide, and optionally sodium polyacrylate, which can be formulated in liquid, gel, or solid forms, allowing for versatile packaging and application in multiple areas without re-design, including the use of paraffin to create a solid form with enhanced thermal storage properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If coolant compositions are designed for specific applications, then cooling performance is optimized, but adaptability to different application areas decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal coolant composition that can be safely applied across multiple application areas including skin, mucous membranes, and wounds. The composition achieves this by carefully selecting ingredients that are non-irritating and non-toxic while maintaining effective cooling performance through menthol and glycerol, allowing one formulation to serve multiple functions without re-engineering
2Temperature
If coolant compositions use strong cooling agents like menthol, then cooling effect is enhanced, but safety and applicability to sensitive areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the concentration parameters of cooling agents to achieve optimal balance. Menthol is present at 0.1-5% and glycerol at 1-50%, creating a formulation that provides sufficient cooling effect while remaining safe for sensitive areas. The calcium hydroxide and barium hydroxide further stabilize the composition to prevent irritation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts potentially harmful strong cooling agents into safe effective formulations by combining menthol with glycerol and hydroxides. This combination mitigates the irritating effects of menthol while preserving its cooling benefit, and the hydroxides neutralize any acidic byproducts that could cause irritation
3Ease of operation
If coolant compositions are formulated as liquids, then ease of application is improved, but packaging design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables formulation of the same coolant composition in multiple physical states (liquid, gel, solid) by adjusting the ratio of glycerol to water and adding gelling agents or waxes. This allows the product to be packaged in simple containers appropriate for each state while maintaining ease of application, reducing the need for complex specialized packaging
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 composition provides a cooling sensation and can be adapted for diverse applications, such as in clothing, bedding, and medical products, offering improved temperature management and extended duration of action through phase change materials.
Implementation Method 1
Menthol's ability to chemically trigger the cold-sensitive TRPM8 receptors in the skin is responsible for the cooling sensation that it provokes when inhaled, eaten, or applied to the skin.
Implementation Method 2
U.S. Pat. No. 6,146,546 discloses a freezable coolant composition used for cold-preservation of foods by utilizing the latent heat of fusion at the freezing point
Implementation Method 3
the use of paraffin to create a solid form with enhanced thermal storage properties
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed embodiments include coolant compositions, packages of such compositions, and articles of manufacture derived from coolant compositions. According to one embodiment disclosed a liquid coolant composition is disclosed that comprises: (a) glycerol, (b) an aqueous solution of menthol, (c) calcium hydroxide, (d) barium hydroxide, and (e) water. According to another embodiment, a gel coolant composition is disclosed that comprises: (a) glycerol, (b) an aqueous solution of menthol, (c) calcium hydroxide, (d) barium hydroxide, (e) water, and (f) sodium polyacrylate. Such gel coolant composition can be converted to solid form by adding paraffin.