Segmented Chamber Tray Design for Uniform Dry Ice Cooling Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature-controlled shipping containers experience non-uniform temperature distribution within the payload area due to dry ice sublimation, resulting in warmer temperatures over the payload and colder temperatures underneath.
Innovation Solution
The use of trays with internally segmented chambers to contain cooling agents like dry ice, which are divided into compartments to prevent sinking and ensure uniform temperature distribution across the payload area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If dry ice is disposed over, under, and/or on the sides of a payload using trays, then cooling capacity is increased, but temperature distribution becomes non-uniform (warm over payload, cold under payload)
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is divided into multiple compartments that separate and distribute dry ice throughout the payload area. This segmentation prevents dry ice from concentrating at the bottom and ensures uniform temperature distribution across the entire payload, resolving the contradiction between increasing cooling capacity and maintaining temperature uniformity
2Quantity of substance
If dry ice is placed at the bottom of the payload area, then cooling capacity is maximized, but temperature becomes non-uniform due to dry ice sublimation and sinking
Solution Approach 1:
The tray structure with multiple compartments segments the dry ice distribution, preventing it from sinking to a single location. This maintains stable and uniform temperature distribution throughout the payload area while preserving maximum cooling capacity
Solution Approach 2:
Different compartments of the tray provide localized cooling zones distributed throughout the payload area. This ensures that each region of the payload receives appropriate cooling, maintaining stable temperature distribution while maximizing overall cooling capacity
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 uniform temperature distribution and increased cooling capacity by trapping dry ice within chambers, maintaining a consistent temperature range from 25°C to -80°C, and allowing for easy assembly and storage of the trays.
Implementation Method 1
dry ice sublimating and traveling down to the bottom of the payload area
Implementation Method 2
maintain, regulate, or control the payload area temperature are desirable in transporting temperature sensitive payload
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods of trays for uniformly cooling a payload are provided. A tray includes a body. The body includes an internal wall, a plurality of side panels in connection with the internal wall panel and a plurality of dividers in connection with the internal wall panel and one or more of the plurality of side panels. The plurality of dividers may define a plurality of chambers, each chamber of the plurality of chambers at least partially bounded by a divider of the plurality of dividers and/or (ii) the internal wall panel. Each chamber of the plurality of chambers is configured to receive a portion of a cooling agent inserted into the body. A cover panel attached to the body.