Storage Tank Pressure Control Using Backflow Temperature Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cryoablation and hyperthermia systems face inefficiencies in working medium usage due to excessive flow beyond the required amount for maintaining treatment temperature, leading to waste and suboptimal tumor treatment efficacy.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for adjusting the in-tank pressure of a working medium storage tank using thermocouples to monitor backflow temperatures, count target paths reaching preset temperatures, and adjust pressure accordingly to optimize medium flow based on actual treatment needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the working medium flow is increased to ensure adequate cooling, then the treatment temperature can be maintained, but excessive working medium is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment temperatureVSAvoidworking medium waste
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs temperature sensors to continuously monitor the treatment temperature and feeds this information back to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the working medium flow rate dynamically based on the monitored temperature, ensuring adequate cooling while preventing excessive medium consumption. This closed-loop feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by optimizing medium flow to match actual treatment needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static working medium flow rate to a dynamic adjustment mechanism. The control unit modifies the flow rate in real-time based on treatment conditions, temperature requirements, and system state. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain adequate cooling efficiency while minimizing working medium waste by adapting flow to actual demand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of substance

If manual control of working medium flow is used, then system complexity is reduced, but working medium waste increases due to inability to adapt to treatment conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking medium wasteVSAvoidpressure adjustment system
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service through automated pressure adjustment. The control unit autonomously monitors treatment conditions and adjusts the working medium flow rate without requiring manual intervention. This self-regulating capability reduces working medium waste by adapting to treatment conditions while managing system complexity through automated control logic that operates independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical control with an automated control unit that uses sensors and control algorithms. This substitution eliminates the need for manual flow rate adjustment while implementing adaptive pressure control. The electronic control system manages the complexity by using programmed logic to optimize working medium flow based on real-time treatment conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the working medium flow rate is increased to ensure adequate cooling, then treatment effectiveness improves, but working medium consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidworking medium consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the working medium flow rate parameter based on treatment conditions. Instead of maintaining a constant high flow rate, the control unit adjusts the flow parameter to match the actual cooling requirements. This parameter optimization ensures treatment effectiveness is maintained while reducing working medium consumption by eliminating excessive flow during periods when less cooling is needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Reduces unnecessary working medium waste by automatically adapting pressure to treatment conditions, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of cryoablation and hyperthermia procedures.

Implementation Method 1

multiple first thermocouples, each of the multiple first thermocouples respectively provided in the corresponding working medium delivery pipe, each of the multiple first thermocouples used to collect a backflow temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSeebeck effect: Seebeck Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4140425B1Apparatus for adjusting internal tank pressure of working medium storage tank
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 HYGEA MEDICAL TECH CO LTD
  • EP4140425B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4140425B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4140425B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

Provided are a method for adjusting an in-tank pressure of a working medium storage tank and an apparatus for the same. The method includes: acquiring a backflow temperature collected by each of first thermocouples; counting the number of target backflow paths whose backflow temperature reaches a preset temperature; and adjusting an in-tank pressure of the working medium storage tank to a target in-tank pressure corresponding to the number of the target backflow paths according to the number of the target backflow paths and a corresponding relationship between a preset number of backflow paths and the in-tank pressure. The control box determines the target in-tank pressure corresponding to the number of the target backflow paths to realize automatic adjustment of the in-tank pressure of the working medium storage tank by acquiring the backflow temperature collected by each of the first thermocouples and counting the number of the target backflow paths whose backflow temperature reaches the preset temperature, and makes the flow of the working medium delivered change automatically accordingly to better adapt to an actual treatment scene and reduce the unnecessary waste of the working medium by automatically adjusting the in-tank pressure of the working medium storage tank.