Methods, systems, and apparatus providing temperatures-controlled process fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inaccurate metering of process fluids in medical specimen testing due to temperature variations in the metering line, which affects the precision of fluid dispensing and subsequent testing results.
Innovation Solution
A temperature-controlled process fluid system that includes a fluid path with at least one heat exchanger to maintain the process fluid temperature within a narrow range, using recycled waste heat to preheat the fluid and stabilize its temperature, thereby reducing energy costs and improving metering accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If process fluid temperature is not controlled, then energy consumption is low and device complexity is low, but metering precision deteriorates due to volumetric changes from temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-heats the process fluid to the target temperature (e.g., 37°C) before it reaches the metering apparatus using a heat exchanger. This preliminary temperature conditioning ensures that the fluid is at the correct temperature when metering occurs, preventing volumetric expansion or contraction that would compromise metering precision. The temperature control is established in advance rather than attempting to correct temperature variations during metering.
Solution Approach 2:
A heat exchanger is introduced as an intermediary component between the process fluid source and the metering apparatus. This intermediary device transfers thermal energy to the process fluid, stabilizing its temperature before it enters the sensitive metering zone. The heat exchanger acts as a buffer that isolates the metering system from temperature fluctuations in the incoming fluid, thereby maintaining metering precision without requiring the entire system to be temperature-controlled.
2Measurement precision
If heat exchanger is added to control process fluid temperature, then metering precision is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures waste heat from the instrument's internal components (such as heating elements, motors, or other heat-generating devices) and redirects it through the heat exchanger to pre-heat the process fluid. This converts otherwise wasted thermal energy into a useful resource for temperature control, reducing the need for additional heating energy while maintaining metering precision. The waste heat that would otherwise be discarded becomes the primary heat source for fluid temperature stabilization.
3Manufacturing precision
If process fluid temperature varies, then device complexity remains low, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to volumetric changes affecting fluid dispensing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is positioned to pre-heat the process fluid before it enters the metering and dispensing pathway. By establishing the correct temperature in advance, the system ensures that the fluid volume remains stable during the critical metering and dispensing operations. This preliminary temperature conditioning prevents volumetric changes that would otherwise compromise dispensing accuracy, maintaining manufacturing precision without requiring complex temperature control throughout the entire fluid pathway.
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 system ensures precise metering by maintaining the process fluid temperature within +/- 20% of the nominal operating temperature, reducing volumetric changes and enhancing the accuracy of fluid dispensing and testing results.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heat exchanger coupled to the first fluid path and adapted to extract heat generated by the instrument and heat the process fluid
Implementation Method 2
extract heat from one or more heat-generating components of the instrument and provide a heated process fluid
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and apparatus adapted to control a temperature of a process fluid in an instrument. In one aspect, the systems and apparatus are adapted to control fluid temperature provided to a feed tank. The feed tank may feed a metering system and metering line of an instrument such as a clinical analyzer. The fluid temperature control system includes a process fluid inflow, a process fluid outflow, a first fluid path fluidly coupled to the process fluid inflow and outflow, and at least one heat exchanger thermally coupled to the first fluid path, wherein the heat exchanger is adapted to extract heat from at least one heat-generating component of the instrument. Controlling a temperature of the process fluid at the feed tank improves metering accuracy. Methods of operating the system are provided, as are other aspects.