Temperature control cart for a payload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature control systems in the food and medical industries face challenges such as unsanitary conditions due to ice use, unsafe conditions from air circulation and compressors, and failure to maintain regulated temperature ranges, leading to food safety issues and increased waste.
Innovation Solution
A temperature control cart with phase change material (PCM) in a tank beneath a top portion with wells for pans, using heat exchangers to control PCM temperature and transfer thermal energy passively or actively, maintaining desired temperatures without active heating or cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ice is used for temperature control, then cooling effect is achieved, but unsanitary and hazardous conditions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses phase change materials (PCMs) that undergo phase transitions (solid-liquid) at specific temperatures to provide cooling effects. The PCM is contained in a sealed reservoir, eliminating direct contact with food while maintaining cooling through thermal conduction via the cart surface, thus avoiding unsanitary conditions while achieving the desired cooling effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary PCM reservoir system between the cooling source and the food. The PCM acts as a mediator that transfers thermal energy without direct contact with food, preventing contamination while maintaining temperature control. The sealed reservoir serves as a physical barrier that eliminates hazardous conditions associated with direct ice contact.
2Temperature
If circulating air and compressors are used near food preparation areas, then temperature control is improved, but unsafe conditions arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the compressor and active cooling mechanisms from the food preparation area entirely. The system uses passive thermal conduction through the cart structure, eliminating the need for circulating air and compressors near food preparation surfaces, thus removing the source of unsafe conditions while maintaining temperature control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical active cooling system (compressors and circulating air) with a passive thermal conduction system. The PCM-based system relies on natural heat transfer through the cart structure rather than mechanical air circulation, eliminating unsafe mechanical elements from the food preparation environment.
3Temperature
If existing temperature control systems are used, then some cooling effect is achieved, but regulated temperature ranges are not maintained for required time periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes PCMs with specific phase transition temperatures matched to the required temperature ranges. The phase change process absorbs and releases large amounts of latent heat, enabling the system to maintain regulated temperatures for extended periods without active cooling, thus meeting both temperature control and duration requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent selects PCMs with specific thermal properties (phase transition temperature, latent heat of fusion, thermal conductivity) optimized for the required temperature ranges and durations. By changing the physical and chemical parameters of the PCM material, the system achieves prolonged temperature maintenance without active cooling systems.
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 system maintains temperatures for extended periods (up to 24 hours) without active heating or cooling, ensuring food safety and medical product integrity, while being portable and adaptable to various environments.
Implementation Method 1
phase change material (PCM) disposed within the interior volume of the tank
Implementation Method 2
heating or cooling the PCM disposed within the tank of the temperature control cart above or below a phase transition temperature of the PCM
Implementation Method 3
one or more heat exchangers disposed in a tank wherein the PCM is located
Implementation Method 4
thermal energy is transferred from the payload to the PCM or from the PCM and to the payload
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects and embodiments of a temperature control cart (100) are disclosed. The temperature control cart (100) comprises a top portion (116) with one or more wells (202), wherein the one or more wells (202) is operable to receive one or more pans (102). The wells (202) are configured to hold pans (102), wherein the pans (102) often contain a payload, such as food or medicine, that requires temperature control. Further, the top portion (116) is disposed in a tank (108) that contains phase change material (PCM). In another aspect, a method for controlling temperature of a payload is disclosed. A temperature control cart (100) is further provided with one or more heat exchangers. Wherein the one or more heat exchangers circulate a heat exchange fluid, thereby heating or cooling the PCM disposed in the tank (108) of the temperature control cart (100) to above or below a transition temperature of the PCM.