Negative Pressure Release Port With Internal Heating Against Freezing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing negative pressure release ports in ultra-low temperature refrigeration apparatuses face issues with increased diameter due to heating coils on the outside, leading to reduced heat retention and inefficient heating of air in the flow path, which can result in condensation and freezing, affecting the refrigeration apparatus's cooling ability.

Innovation Solution

A negative pressure release port design featuring a cylindrical member with a heating element integrated on one end, a holding member, and a check valve on the other end, allowing efficient heating of air within the flow path while preventing backflow, thus maintaining efficient heat retention and preventing condensation and freezing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a heating coil is disposed on the outside of the body, then the body can be heated to prevent freezing, but the diameter of the negative pressure release port becomes large, reducing heat retaining property

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreezing preventionVSAvoidheat retention

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is disposed inside the cylindrical member rather than on the outside, nesting the heating function within the flow path structure. This eliminates the need for an enlarged outer diameter while still providing effective heating to prevent freezing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating approach transitions from external surface heating to internal flow path heating. By placing the heating element within the cylindrical member, heat is applied directly to the air flow rather than relying on external conduction, improving both efficiency and compactness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Temperature

If the heating coil is disposed on the outside of the body, then the body temperature can be raised, but heat leaks to the outside easily, making it difficult to efficiently raise the temperature of the air in the flow path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebody temperatureVSAvoidheating efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is positioned to heat the air before it enters the flow path through the cylindrical member. By pre-heating the air in advance, the system efficiently raises the temperature of the air without excessive heat loss to the surroundings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The heating element acts as an intermediary that directly heats the air flow within the cylindrical member. This intermediate heating approach is more efficient than external heating, as it transfers heat directly to the air rather than relying on conduction through the body material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the temperature of the entire body rises to prevent freezing, then freezing is suppressed, but the cooling ability of the refrigeration apparatus is affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreezing suppressionVSAvoidcooling ability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

Heating is applied locally only to the air flow within the cylindrical member rather than heating the entire body. This localized heating approach prevents freezing in the flow path while minimizing impact on the overall cooling performance of the refrigeration apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of heating the entire body excessively to prevent freezing, the system applies partial heating only where needed (in the flow path). This selective heating prevents freezing while avoiding the negative effects of overall temperature rise on cooling ability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 effectively heats the air in the flow path, prevents condensation and freezing, and removes ice, enhancing the refrigeration apparatus's cooling performance and reducing energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element disposed in the cylindrical member on one end side of the cylindrical member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a valve provided on another end side with respect to the heating element, the valve allowing the fluid passing through the inside of the cylindrical member to flow from the other end side to the one end side, the valve preventing the fluid from flowing from the one end side to the other end side

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCheck valve flow control: Valve

Data Source

PatentUS11248832B2Negative pressure release port and refrigeration device

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 PHC HLDG CORP

AI summary

Provided is a negative pressure release port that can prevent freezing in a channel. This negative pressure release port comprises: a cylindrical member made of a pipe in which a fluid can pass through and a base; a heating element disposed on one end inside the pipe; a retaining member that retains the heating element; a rib that connects an inner wall face of the pipe and the retaining member; and a check valve that is provided inside the base provided more toward the other end than the heating element, that allows air passing through the interior of the base to flow from the other end to the one end, and prevents flow from the one end to the other end.