Ohmic Heating Packet Layout for Uniform Sterilization Without Short Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional food heating and sterilization methods require significant energy and result in non-uniform heating, leading to nutritional and quality loss, especially in space missions where energy is constrained and food must be compact and lightweight.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, hermetically sealed ohmic heating packet using a multilayer laminate material with a metallic foil layer and electrically conductive elements that applies a uniform electric field for efficient heating and sterilization without external heat sources, maintaining a hermetic seal and preventing short circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional external hot media heating is used, then sterilization is achieved, but heating time is long and energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional thermal conduction heating with ohmic heating, which uses electrical current to generate heat directly within the food material through its natural resistance. This substitution of heating mechanism dramatically reduces sterilization time and energy consumption while achieving uniform heating throughout the food load.
Solution Approach 2:
The food material itself serves as the heating element through its inherent electrical resistance. When electrical current passes through the food, the food's own resistance generates heat uniformly throughout its volume, eliminating the need for external heat sources and achieving rapid, energy-efficient sterilization.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional external hot media heating is used, then sterilization is achieved, but heating uniformity is poor causing nutritional loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces external thermal conduction with internal ohmic heating, where electrical current distributes uniformly through the conductive solution and food material, generating heat evenly throughout the entire volume. This eliminates hot spots and cold zones, ensuring uniform sterilization while preserving nutritional content.
3Reliability
If hermetic seal is maintained with electrical connections, then sterility is preserved, but risk of short circuit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces electrically insulating grommets and insulating materials at the points where electrical conductors penetrate the hermetic seal. These intermediaries allow electrical current to pass through the seal while preventing direct electrical contact between conductors, thereby eliminating short circuit risk while maintaining hermetic integrity for sterility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable or replaceable insulating components such as grommets and seal elements that can be easily replaced if degraded. These simple, inexpensive components provide reliable electrical isolation and hermetic sealing, protecting against short circuits while maintaining sterility throughout the device's operational life.
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 ohmic heating packet achieves uniform heating and efficient energy use, reducing sterilization time and preserving food quality, suitable for space missions and environments with limited energy, while maintaining a sterile and reusable container.
Implementation Method 1
The packet utilizes a highly uniform electric field to ensure uniform heating of the contents of the packet
Implementation Method 2
The packet is capable of heating food and beverages using relatively little electrical power and without the use of an external heat source
Data Source
AI summary
A hermetically-sealed, ohmic heating packet for storing, heating and sterilizing food and beverage items. The packet is formed of a multilayer laminate material having interior and exterior polymer layers and an intermediate metallic foil layer. Conductive tags on the exterior of the packet are electrically connected to electrodes on the interior of the packet through reverse-patched regions of the packet's sidewalls. The configuration of the electrical connection prevents current from leaking into the metallic foil layer of the packet during heating, thereby mitigating the risk of a short circuit condition in the packet. The rectangular prism geometry of the packet and the parallel configuration of the electrodes within the packet facilitate uniform heating of the packet's contents.