PCM-Insulated Chamber for Stable Temperature During Power Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional insulated chambers, such as incubators, lack sufficient temperature stability and control, especially during power outages, due to reliance on open-coil heaters or water jackets, which do not maintain temperature consistently.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a phase change material (PCM) within the insulated chamber walls or containers, which absorbs or releases latent heat to maintain a consistent temperature, combined with a temperature-altering device to reach the melting or freezing phase change temperature, enhancing temperature stability and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If open-coil heaters or water jackets are used for heating, then heating function is provided, but temperature stability and control are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoidtemperature control reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies phase transition of phase change material (PCM) to maintain temperature stability. The PCM undergoes phase change at a specific temperature, absorbing or releasing latent heat to keep the chamber temperature constant within a narrow range, thereby resolving the temperature control reliability issue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the active heating control system (open-coil heaters or water jackets requiring power and control mechanisms) with a passive thermal regulation system using PCM. This substitution provides more reliable temperature stability during power outages without requiring mechanical control components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If water jacket system is used, then temperature is maintained during power outage, but system complexity increases due to filling, monitoring, and emptying requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature maintenance during power outageVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The PCM system is self-regulating through its inherent phase change properties. It automatically absorbs heat when temperature rises and releases heat when temperature drops, requiring no user intervention for filling, monitoring, or emptying, thus reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses encapsulated PCM packets that can be replaced if needed, rather than a permanent water jacket system requiring maintenance. This approach simplifies the overall system by eliminating the need for water filling, monitoring, and emptying infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Speed

If radiant-walled heating system is used, then quick temperature recovery is achieved, but temperature stability during power outage is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature recovery speedVSAvoidtemperature stability during power outage

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The PCM is pre-cooled or pre-heated to the desired phase change temperature before power failure occurs. When power is lost, the PCM immediately begins its phase change process, providing rapid temperature stabilization without requiring active heating or cooling systems, thus achieving both speed and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 PCM maintains a stable temperature for extended periods, including during power outages, and aids in rapid recovery of temperature and environmental conditions within the chamber, ensuring consistent results and improved reproducibility.

Implementation Method 1

a phase change material (PCM) within the insulated chamber walls or containers, which absorbs or releases latent heat to maintain a consistent temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLatent heat: Latent Heat

Implementation Method 2

a phase change material (PCM) within the insulated chamber walls or containers, which absorbs or releases latent heat to maintain a consistent temperature, combined with a temperature-altering device to reach the melting or freezing phase change temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 3

a temperature-altering device adjacent the first phase change material and capable of causing the first phase change material to reach the first melting or freezing phase change temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11150014B2Insulated chamber with packetized phase change material

Publication Date: 2021.10.19 CARON PROD & SERVICES

AI summary

An insulated chamber having an interior region for storing items therein includes a phase change material to facilitate controlling the temperature of the interior region and the items. A heating device or cooling device may be used to melt or freeze the phase change material. The phase change material (PCM) may be in various locations such as the walls of the chamber in the form of packets or in the form of containers that serve as shelves and may be removable from the interior region. The packets may have recesses for receiving the items. The phase change material may be within capsules that may be within a liquid or a solid matrix. Controls may be provided to control humidity, oxygen, and carbon dioxide within the interior chamber.