Sealed Airflow Sample Shaker With Compliant Sliding Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inconsistent heat removal from motorized sample shakers due to uncontrolled airflow across heat sinks leads to sample tray temperatures outside the desired range, causing temperature instability.
Innovation Solution
A sealed airflow system with an air intake housing, air duct housing, and a compliant sliding seal that prevents air leakage and ensures controlled airflow over thermal conductors, maintaining a consistent temperature environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If heat sinks and fans are used for heat removal, then heat removal capability is improved, but temperature control stability deteriorates due to uncontrolled airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a sealed airflow system that isolates the heat sink environment from ambient air, establishing a controlled thermal environment. The sealed housing with controlled air intake and outlet prevents uncontrolled air ingress and egress, ensuring consistent heat removal while maintaining temperature stability during sample mixing operations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a sealed airflow system is implemented, then temperature control stability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sealing components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a compliant sliding seal that accommodates movement between the air inlet and heat sink while maintaining the sealed environment. This flexible sealing approach prevents air leakage without requiring complex rigid sealing mechanisms, thus maintaining temperature control stability while minimizing additional device complexity.
3Productivity
If the air inlet is positioned close to the heat sink, then heat removal efficiency is improved, but air leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a compliant sliding seal as an intermediary component between the air inlet and the heat sink. This seal maintains the sealed airflow path even when components move relative to each other, ensuring that the air inlet remains effectively positioned for efficient heat removal while preventing air leakage through the introduction of this mediating sealing element.
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 sealed airflow system effectively maintains sample tray temperatures within the desired range by preventing air ingress and egress, ensuring consistent heat removal and stable temperature control during sample mixing and thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
a compliant sliding seal positioned between the air inlet and the air intake housing to accommodate movement between the air inlet and the air intake housing
Implementation Method 2
heat sinks and fans provide for heat removal from the system
Implementation Method 3
heat sinks and fans provide for heat removal from the system
Implementation Method 4
heat sinks and fans provide for heat removal from the system
Data Source
AI summary
A sealed airflow system suitable for use with a sample shaker assembly. The sealed airflow system includes at least one component which accommodates movement of the sample shaker assembly while maintaining an air tight assembly between components of the sealed air flow system. A compliant sliding seal compensates for movement of the sample shaker assembly with regard to an air intake side of the sealed airflow control system. Additionally, a flexible conduit provides an air tight passage between an outlet of the sealed airflow control system and an exhaust port. The flexible conduit compensates for movement of the sample shaker assembly in a manner that does not permit unwanted airflow into or out of sealed airflow control system.