Self-Heating Fluid Connector Using Phase Change Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-heating fluid containers face issues with uneven heat distribution due to inadequate mixing of liquid reagents with solid exothermic materials, leading to localized overheating and underheating, and require external power sources, making them non-portable.
Innovation Solution
A self-heating fluid connector with a housing containing exothermic phase change materials and initiators, where fluid conduits or channels are in thermal communication with the materials, allowing for controlled heat transfer to fluids as they flow, and a manually operable device activates the phase change material for incremental heating without the need for external power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If solid reagent and water are used for exothermic chemical reaction, then heating capability is achieved, but uneven heat distribution and localized overheating occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses phase change material (water freezing to ice) instead of chemical reaction to generate heat. The phase transition occurs uniformly throughout the material, ensuring even heat distribution without localized overheating. The housing design with thermal conductors distributes the heat uniformly to the fluid container.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the liquid reagent (water) from a separate chamber and introduces it into the phase change material chamber through a frangible barrier. This allows the water to freeze uniformly within the phase change material, ensuring even heat distribution while maintaining the ability to activate heating on demand.
2Ease of operation
If external power source is used for heating, then controlled heating is achieved, but portability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-heating mechanism where the user simply needs to squeeze the housing to activate the heating element. The body heat from squeezing provides the activation energy needed to initiate the phase change, eliminating the need for external power sources while maintaining controlled heating capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of water from liquid to solid (freezing) to generate heat. This phase change occurs at a constant temperature (0°C), providing controlled and stable heating without requiring external power regulation, thus maintaining portability while achieving controlled heating.
3Device complexity
If frangible barrier is used for releasing water, then activation mechanism is simple, but mixing efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible diaphragm barrier that can be dynamically activated by squeezing the housing. The diaphragm flexes to allow water to pass from the reservoir into the phase change material chamber, providing both simple activation and efficient mixing as the water disperses throughout the phase change material during the squeezing motion.
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 controlled, efficient, and portable heating of fluids by ensuring even heat distribution and reducing the need for external power, addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
an exothermic phase change material within the housing; and at least one initiator mounted in the housing for activating the exothermic phase change material whereby when activated heat is transferred to fluid caused to flow through the fluid conduits
Implementation Method 2
one or more fluid conduits extending between the first and second ends and being in thermal communication with the exothermic phase change material
Data Source
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AI summary
A self-heating fluid connector (35) comprising a housing (37) in which is provided exothermic phase change material (38) and one or more fluid channels extending from one end of the housing (37) to the other, in thermal communication with the exothermic phase change material, whereby fluid passing through the fluid conduits is heated by the exothermic phase change material. The self-heating connector is particularly suited for use with a fluid container (11) and a fluid delivery port (12) such as a baby's bottle and feeding teat.