Sample cooling and storage mechanism

The patent implements a gradient cooling process before final liquid nitrogen storage. The storage box first undergoes controlled cooling in stages (gradient cooling) to gradually reduce temperature, then is rapidly cooled in liquid nitrogen. This preliminary gradient cooling action prepares the samples and storage box for the subsequent rapid cooling without causing thermal shock damage.

The patent introduces a storage box as an intermediary container between the samples and liquid nitrogen. The storage box undergoes gradient cooling first, acting as a mediator that protects samples from direct exposure to extreme rapid cooling. The storage box serves as a buffer that gradually transfers thermal energy to the samples before final liquid nitrogen storage.

The patent divides the cooling process into distinct segments: gradient cooling phase and liquid nitrogen storage phase. The gradient cooling device uses multiple heating/cooling zones or stages to progressively reduce temperature. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, achieving precise temperature control without requiring the entire system to be overly complex.

The patent changes cooling parameters dynamically during the process. The gradient cooling device adjusts cooling rate, temperature thresholds, and duration as parameters to achieve precise temperature control. By varying these parameters in different stages, the system achieves high temperature control precision while maintaining reasonable device complexity.

The patent implements continuous automated operation that combines gradient cooling and liquid nitrogen storage in an uninterrupted sequence. The robotic arm continuously transfers storage boxes from gradient cooling device to liquid nitrogen container without manual intervention. This continuous automated process maintains sample activity by ensuring the programmed cooling sequence is executed without interruption or human error.

The patent incorporates temperature sensing and control feedback in the gradient cooling device. Temperature sensors monitor the cooling process and provide feedback to the control system, which adjusts cooling parameters accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the programmed cooling process is executed precisely, maintaining sample activity while enabling automated operation.