Phase Change Material Pallet for Temperature-Stable Shipping
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Solution Overview
Problem
During shipping, goods are exposed to ambient conditions that cause temperature changes due to heat exchange, degrading their quality, particularly for perishable items like fresh produce where maintaining a consistent temperature is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A thermal energy storage pallet equipped with phase change material that absorbs or releases heat to regulate the temperature of goods by changing state, reducing the impact of heat exchange with the ambient environment, and includes a structured deck, forklift fork receivers, and a temperature indicator for monitoring and managing thermal conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional shipping methods are used without thermal regulation, then shipping costs and energy consumption are reduced, but temperature fluctuations occur causing degradation of perishable goods
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material is pre-cooled to a target temperature before shipping begins. This preliminary cooling action allows the material to absorb heat during the shipping process, maintaining temperature stability without requiring continuous energy input from active refrigeration systems throughout the entire shipping duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase change material that transitions between solid and liquid states at a specific target temperature. During shipping, when ambient temperature rises, the material absorbs excess heat during its phase transition from solid to liquid, maintaining a stable temperature environment for perishable goods without requiring continuous energy consumption.
2Reliability
If active refrigeration systems are used throughout shipping, then temperature stability is maintained, but energy consumption and shipping costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuously operating refrigeration systems during shipping, the system performs preliminary cooling action by pre-chilling the phase change material before shipping. This allows the material to passively maintain temperature through its phase transition properties, dramatically reducing energy consumption while maintaining temperature stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase change material serves itself by utilizing its inherent phase transition properties to regulate temperature. The material automatically absorbs or releases heat as needed during its phase transition, eliminating the need for continuous external energy input from active refrigeration systems.
3Reliability
If phase change material is used for thermal energy storage, then temperature stability and shelf life are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase change material that naturally transitions between solid and liquid states at a predetermined target temperature. This phase transition mechanism provides automatic temperature regulation without requiring complex control systems, sensors, or active components, thereby maintaining temperature stability while minimizing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase change material autonomously regulates temperature through its phase transition properties without requiring external control systems. The material self-adjusts by absorbing heat when transitioning from solid to liquid and releasing heat when transitioning from liquid to solid, eliminating the need for complex monitoring and control infrastructure.
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 thermal energy storage pallet effectively maintains the temperature of goods during shipping, enhancing the shelf life of perishable items by minimizing temperature fluctuations and improving the energy efficiency of refrigeration systems, while being reusable and stackable to reduce storage and shipping costs.
Implementation Method 1
The pallet may include a quantity of phase change material that has a liquid to solid phase transition temperature at or near a regulating temperature of the goods. If the goods and the pallet are exposed to ambient conditions that causes heat exchange, the quantity of phase change material may absorb heat or release heat and melt or solidify, respectively.
Implementation Method 2
the quantity of phase change material may absorb heat or release heat and melt or solidify, respectively. Absorbing or releasing heat by the quantity of phase change material may maintain the goods at/near the regulation temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A pallet for shipping goods, the pallet having a rigid member, a phase change material, and a temperature indicator. The rigid member includes a phase change material compartment. A phase change material is disposed in the phase change material compartment. The temperature indicator indicates a thermal state of the pallet.