PCM Panel Thermal Conditioning Logistics for Payload Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Thermally controlled shipping containers face challenges in optimizing the thermal conditioning of phase change material (PCM) panels during the freeze and thermal dampening process, leading to potential payload temperature deviations and premature phase change of the PCM.

Innovation Solution

A thermal conditioning logistics system that includes a temperature sensor, electronic data capture component, and data processing and display control unit to monitor and manage the temperature of PCM panels, generating signals to indicate when the panels are deep frozen, thermally dampened, or thermally spent, ensuring precise thermal management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If PCM panels are frozen to a temperature well below the freezing point to ensure deep freezing, then the thermal control reliability is improved, but the thermal damping time required increases and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal control reliabilityVSAvoidthermal damping time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary freezing of PCM panels to a temperature well below the freezing point before thermal damping. This preliminary action ensures that the PCM is sufficiently frozen before being transferred to the thermal damping environment, preventing premature phase change and ensuring reliable thermal control during payload shipping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses temperature sensors and data processing units to continuously monitor the temperature of PCM panels during freezing and thermal damping. Based on this feedback, the system determines when the PCM has reached the appropriate temperature state, optimizing the thermal conditioning process and reducing unnecessary energy consumption and time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If excessive thermal damping is applied to PCM panels, then the thermal comfort is improved, but the PCM undergoes premature phase change resulting in loss of thermal value

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal comfortVSAvoidthermal value

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the temperature of PCM panels during thermal damping using temperature sensors. The data processing unit analyzes this feedback information to determine when the PCM has reached the optimal temperature state. This prevents excessive thermal damping that would cause premature phase change and loss of thermal value.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the thermal damping process based on real-time temperature monitoring. The thermal damping conditions are optimized to provide thermal comfort while preventing the PCM from undergoing premature phase change, thereby preserving its thermal value for payload protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If manual monitoring of PCM panel temperature is used, then the system complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and thermal management accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidtemperature measurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses automated temperature sensors and data processing units to self-monitor the temperature of PCM panels throughout the freezing and thermal damping processes. This self-service capability ensures precise temperature measurement and accurate thermal management without requiring complex manual intervention, actually simplifying the operational complexity while improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This system ensures that PCM panels are accurately conditioned to maintain the desired temperature range, preventing payload temperature deviations and prolonging the thermal value of the PCM, thereby optimizing the thermal management process.

Implementation Method 1

The temperature sensor is operable for periodically measuring the temperature of an environmental microcosm formed by a unit load of PCM panels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

PCM panels must be thermally conditioned meaning the PCM panels must be frozen, typically by placement in a freezer maintained at a temperature well below the freezing point of the PCM, and then thermally dampened to a temperature proximate the melt temperature of the PCM

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS9798994B2Logistics system for managing thermal conditioning of unit loads of PCM panels and method of use

Publication Date: 2017.10.24 PELICAN BIOTHERMAL LLC

AI summary

A logistics system for monitoring and signaling the thermal condition of unit loads of PCM panels during a thermal conditioning cycle as between deep frozen, thermally dampened frozen, and thermally spent, and method of managing thermal conditioning of PCM panels utilizing such signals.