Modular cryogenic shipping system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional freezing and shipping methods are inadequate for maintaining the quality of ultralow temperature samples like blood and sushi, as they can cause detrimental effects on IgM antibodies and adversely affect the quality of raw fish, and there is a need for an economical and efficient way to preserve and ship these specimens in bulk.
Innovation Solution
A modular shipping system that includes a bulk shipping space with stackable cryogenic shipping subunits, each with its own cryogen connection source, and a heat exchanger coupled to a cryogenic supply tank, allowing for the maintenance of super-frozen temperatures during long-distance shipment without the need for continuous electric power or specialized refrigerated equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional freezing methods are used for serum samples, then the samples can be stored and transported, but repeated freezing and thawing causes detrimental effects on IgM antibody stability
Solution Approach 1:
The shipping system is divided into modular subunits, each with independent cryogen containers, allowing individual temperature control for different sample types and preventing cross-contamination during transport
Solution Approach 2:
Cryogen containers are pre-filled and sealed before shipment, and the system establishes a continuous cold chain from the outset, eliminating the need for repeated freezing and thawing cycles during transport and storage
2Reliability
If conventional freezing equipment is used for sushi-grade fish, then the fish can be preserved, but the quality (color and taste) is adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides different temperature zones within the same shipping container, with specialized cryogen containers maintaining ultra-low temperatures for fish while other areas can accommodate different temperature requirements, ensuring optimal quality preservation for each product type
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from conventional freezing temperatures to ultra-low cryogenic temperatures, fundamentally changing the temperature parameter to achieve superior quality preservation for sushi-grade fish without the adverse effects of standard freezing
3Reliability
If mechanical refrigeration units are used for shipping, then temperature can be maintained, but mechanical failure and human error cause 5-10% of shipments to be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The cryogen containers are self-contained and passive, requiring no external power sources, control systems, or mechanical components. The phase change materials automatically maintain temperature through their inherent physical properties, eliminating mechanical failure points and human error
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces active mechanical refrigeration systems with passive cryogenic containers utilizing phase change materials, substituting complex mechanical and electrical systems with simple thermodynamic principles that are inherently more reliable
4Reliability
If specialized refrigerated shipping equipment is used, then temperature control is improved, but the cost and complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The modular subunit design allows the same basic container structure to serve multiple functions by simply changing the cryogen container inserts, making the system universally applicable to different products and temperature requirements without requiring specialized equipment for each application
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the temperature control function into independent, replaceable cryogen containers that can be individually selected and configured, simplifying the overall system while maintaining specialized temperature control capabilities for different products
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
This system enables the reliable and efficient transportation of sushi-grade fish and other ultralow temperature samples, maintaining their quality and freshness, reducing bacterial count, and providing a continuous 'super-frozen pipeline' from harvest to consumption, while being simpler and more cost-effective than traditional refrigerated shipping methods.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger coupled to a cryogenic supply tank to receive a cryogen
Implementation Method 2
The system enables the reliable and efficient transportation of sushi-grade fish and other ultralow temperature samples, maintaining their quality and freshness
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanger coupled to a cryogenic supply tank to receive a cryogen
Implementation Method 4
maintaining super-frozen temperatures during long-distance shipment without the need for continuous electric power
Data Source
AI summary
A modular shipping system includes a bulk shipping space; and a base to support a pair of stackable cryogenic shipping subunits positioned in the bulk shipping space during long distance shipment, each subunit having a plurality of feet on a subunit bottom adapted to rest above a plurality of corresponding foot receptacles on a subunit lid, each subunit having its own cryogen connection source to maintain temperature during transit.