Thermal Conductive Stabilizer for Phase Change Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical and biological materials face challenges in maintaining the desired temperature during storage and shipment, as existing storage containers may lose physical contact with phase change materials, leading to temperature instability and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A thermally insulated storage container with a contents rack and metallic stabilizers that maintain physical contact and a conductive path between the contents and phase change material, ensuring temperature stability even as the phase change material changes phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If passive storage containers use phase change material to maintain storage temperature, then temperature control is improved, but physical contact between contents and phase change material is lost during phase change, leading to temperature instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermally conductive intermediary structure (metallic stabilizer or fin) that maintains physical contact between the contents container and phase change material. This intermediary ensures continuous thermal energy transfer even when the phase change material changes state, preventing temperature instability and resolving the contradiction between temperature control and reliability.
2Temperature
If dry ice is used to provide storage temperature of -78.5°C, then freezing temperature storage is achieved, but loss of physical contact occurs as dry ice sublimates, causing temperature fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-attaching the thermally conductive stabilizer to the contents container before placing it in the storage container with dry ice. This ensures that as the dry ice sublimates and changes position, the conductive path is already established and maintained, preventing temperature fluctuations despite the loss of dry ice substance.
3Temperature
If contents are placed directly in phase change material for thermal contact, then temperature control is improved, but contents stability and positioning are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two functions into a single integrated structure: the contents rack provides both mechanical support for stable contents positioning and incorporates thermally conductive elements (stabilizers or fins) that maintain thermal contact with the phase change material. This merging resolves the contradiction by achieving both temperature control and position stability through one unified design.
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 effectively maintains the desired temperature of stored contents at the phase change temperature, preventing temperature fluctuations and damage, as demonstrated by successful maintenance of contents at -78.5°C with reduced dry ice usage.
Implementation Method 1
a metallic contents stabilizer configured to form a thermally conductive path between the contents container and phase change material located in the storage area away from the contents container
Implementation Method 2
phase change material located in the storage area away from the contents container
Implementation Method 3
maintain the desired storage temperature
Implementation Method 4
a thermally insulated storage container comprising one or more walls that together at least partially define a storage area
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal storage system for storing or transporting temperature-sensitive contents such as biological or pharmaceutical materials includes a thermally insulated storage container and a contents rack. The contents rack is configured to interact with one or more walls of the insulated storage container to stabilize the contents container at a desired position in the storage container. A contents sleeve and/or contents stabilizers may interact with one or more walls of the storage container. Contents stabilizers may be thermally conductive to provide conductive thermal communication between the stored contents and a phase change material in the storage container located away from the stored contents. The contents rack helps maintain the position of the contents within the storage container as the phase change material changes phase.