Portable Evaporative Cooling Unit for Zero-Power Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable cooling solutions are inadequate for maintaining precise temperature control in storage containers, particularly for medicinal agents like vaccines, as they often require external power and are not designed for long-term temperature maintenance within narrow ranges without significant energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A portable cooling unit incorporating a controlled evaporative cooling system with a desiccant unit and vapor conduit, calibrated to maintain temperatures between 0°C and 10°C for days or weeks without external power, using a vapor control unit to regulate vapor flow and a desiccant material like calcium chloride to absorb water vapor, allowing for recharge and reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional portable cooling solutions are used, then cooling function is provided, but temperature control precision deteriorates and external power is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of water (liquid to vapor) and the phase change of desiccant material to enable passive cooling. The evaporative cooling system allows water to evaporate, absorbing heat and cooling the storage container, while the desiccant material undergoes phase changes to regulate humidity and temperature without requiring external power, thereby achieving precise temperature control with zero energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is designed to be self-regulating through the interaction between the evaporative cooling mechanism and the desiccant material. The system automatically maintains temperature and humidity levels within the storage container without external control or power input, as the evaporation and absorption processes self-adjust based on environmental conditions, eliminating the need for external power while maintaining precise temperature control.
2Duration of action of moving object
If conventional cooling systems are used, then cooling is achieved, but duration of action is limited without external power
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs phase transitions that continue as long as environmental conditions permit evaporation and absorption. The desiccant material can absorb moisture and release it when conditions change, creating a cyclic process that extends the duration of temperature maintenance without requiring external power, allowing the system to function for extended periods based on environmental humidity and temperature variations.
3Use of energy by moving object
If evaporative cooling is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but temperature control precision worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The desiccant material acts as an intermediary between the evaporative cooling system and the storage container environment. It regulates the humidity and temperature by absorbing and releasing moisture, fine-tuning the cooling effect to maintain precise temperature control within the container while the evaporative system provides the primary cooling without external power.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of water evaporation and desiccant phase changes creates a dual-mechanism system that achieves precise temperature control passively. The evaporation provides cooling while the desiccant's hygroscopic properties and phase transitions regulate humidity and temperature stability, together maintaining precise temperature ranges without external power input.
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 efficient, long-term temperature control within narrow ranges, reducing energy consumption and eliminating the need for external power, making it suitable for storing medicinal agents while being portable and environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
portable cooling units described herein include controlled evaporative cooling systems for use with containers
Implementation Method 2
a desiccant unit that includes desiccant material and a heating element, the desiccant unit configured to be exterior to the container
Data Source
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AI summary
In some embodiments, a portable cooling unit for use with a storage container includes: a desiccant unit including at least one exterior wall defining an interior desiccant region, wherein the interior desiccant region is sealed from gas transfer between the interior desiccant region and a region external to the cooling unit; an evaporative cooling unit including at least one exterior wall defining an interior evaporative region, wherein the interior evaporative region is sealed from gas transfer between the interior evaporative region and the region external to the cooling unit; a vapor conduit including a first and a second end, the vapor conduit attached to the desiccant unit at the first end, the vapor conduit attached to the evaporative cooling unit at the second end, the vapor conduit forming a passageway between the interior desiccant region and the interior evaporative region; and a vapor control unit attached to the vapor conduit.