PCM-Insulated Chamber for Stable Incubator Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional incubators lack the temperature stability required for consistent results, with radiant-walled units offering quick recovery but limited control, and water-jacketed units providing better stability but being complex and unreliable during power outages.
Innovation Solution
An insulated chamber incorporating a phase change material (PCM) with a specific melting or freezing temperature, strategically positioned between insulation and the interior chamber, along with a temperature-altering device to maintain consistent temperature and humidity levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If water-jacketed heating system is used, then temperature stability is improved, but device complexity increases and reliability during power outages worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase change material (PCM) that undergoes phase transition between solid and liquid states at a specific temperature range (e.g., melting point of 37°C). During phase change, the PCM absorbs or releases latent heat, maintaining stable temperature inside the incubator chamber without requiring complex active heating or cooling systems. This resolves the contradiction by achieving temperature stability through passive phase transition rather than active water circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential temperature stabilization function from the complex water-jacketed system and implements it through a simpler PCM-based passive thermal regulation system. The water circulation pump, heating elements, and complex control mechanisms are replaced with phase change material that inherently maintains temperature through its phase transition properties, reducing device complexity while preserving temperature stability.
2Speed
If radiant-walled heating system is used, then temperature recovery speed is improved, but temperature control precision worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The PCM provides rapid temperature recovery through its phase transition capability. When the incubator temperature drops, the PCM melts and releases latent heat quickly, restoring temperature faster than conventional systems. Simultaneously, the phase change occurs at a specific temperature range, providing inherent temperature control precision without requiring complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCM system is self-regulating and requires no external control mechanisms. When temperature drops below the phase change point, the PCM automatically melts and releases heat; when temperature rises above the phase change point, the PCM solidifies and absorbs heat. This self-service mechanism provides both rapid response and precise temperature control, resolving the contradiction between recovery speed and control precision.
3Use of energy by moving object
If passive thermal mass is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but temperature control precision worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses phase change material that provides passive thermal regulation through phase transitions. The PCM absorbs latent heat during melting and releases it during solidification, maintaining temperature within a narrow range around the phase change temperature. This passive mechanism achieves both low energy consumption and high temperature control precision, as the phase transition itself provides the precise temperature regulation without requiring active heating or cooling.
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 enhances temperature stability and uniformity within the chamber, maintaining desired conditions during power outages and rapid recovery after door openings, while simplifying the heating system and reducing the need for complex water management.
Implementation Method 1
a first phase change material adjacent the interior chamber and having a first melting or freezing phase change temperature
Implementation Method 2
The PCM enhances temperature stability and uniformity within the chamber, maintaining desired conditions during power outages
Implementation Method 3
an insulated chamber incorporating a phase change material (PCM) with a specific melting or freezing temperature, strategically positioned between insulation and the interior chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An insulated chamber having an interior chamber for storing items therein includes a phase change material to facilitate controlling the temperature of the interior chamber and the items. A heating device or cooling device may be used to melt or freeze the phase change material, which may be in various locations such as the walls of the chamber or packets which may serve as shelves and may be removable from the interior chamber with the items thereon. The packets may have recesses for receiving the items. The phase change material may be within capsules which may be within a liquid or a solid matrix. Controls may be provided to control humidity and carbon dioxide within the interior chamber.