Phase-Change Shipping Container Layout for Uniform Bulk Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of maintaining precise temperature control during the bulk shipment of temperature-sensitive goods is difficult without an independently powered shipping container, leading to variations in temperature within the container, which can cause deactivation or spoilage of sensitive materials like medical supplies and vaccines, especially when transported across varying ambient conditions.
Innovation Solution
A passive thermally controlled bulk shipping container kit comprising an outer shell, thermal insulation, and phase change material panels arranged in jackets to form a thermally insulated retention chamber, which can be thermally conditioned for precise temperature maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ice is used to cool the shipping container, then cooling capability is provided, but temperature uniformity deteriorates with wide variations at different points inside the container
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple zones with separate cooling compartments distributed throughout the interior space. Each cooling compartment contains ice or phase change material and is positioned to serve specific regions, ensuring uniform temperature distribution across the entire container rather than relying on a single centralized cooling source.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal insulation material is introduced as an intermediary between the cooling compartments and the container walls, and between different cooling zones. This insulation layer regulates heat transfer, preventing excessive cooling in some areas while ensuring adequate cooling reaches other regions, thereby achieving temperature uniformity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the container walls are insulated to reduce heat transfer, then temperature stability improves, but cooling effectiveness deteriorates in areas far from the ice
Solution Approach 1:
The container interior is segmented into multiple cooling zones with distributed ice compartments rather than a single centralized ice block. This segmentation allows thermal insulation to be effective overall while ensuring each local zone receives adequate cooling from its nearest ice compartment, eliminating the trade-off between insulation and cooling effectiveness.
3Measurement precision
If active temperature control with independent power source is used, then temperature precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses phase change materials (ice, gel packs, or other phase change substances) that automatically maintain temperature through their inherent phase transition properties. These materials absorb or release heat as they change phase, providing passive temperature control without requiring external power sources, sensors, or active control systems, thereby achieving temperature precision while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention relies on the phase transition properties of cooling materials (such as ice melting or gel packs transitioning between phases) to provide automatic temperature regulation. During phase change, these materials maintain a relatively constant temperature while absorbing or releasing heat, providing precise temperature control passively without complex active systems.
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 solution provides a reliable and efficient method for maintaining a consistent temperature range, ensuring the integrity of thermally labile goods by using phase change materials within a thermally insulated retention chamber, effectively addressing the temperature control challenges in bulk shipments.
Implementation Method 1
phase change material panels arranged in jackets to form a thermally insulated retention chamber
Implementation Method 2
using phase change materials within a thermally insulated retention chamber
Implementation Method 3
a lining of thermal insulation within the retention chamber to define a thermally insulated retention chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2E
AI summary
A kit capable of being assembled into a passive thermally controlled bulk shipping container (10), and associated method of assembly and resultant assembled shipping container. The kit includes (a) an outer shell (20) defining a retention chamber (29), (b) at least eight separate and distinct identically sized phase change material-containing panels (50), and (c) at least four separate and distinct identically sized jackets (60), each configured and arranged to releasably retain a set of the phase change material panels in a planar configuration.