Insulated Turbo Seal Fin for Freezer Door Gap De-Icing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door assemblies in freezer facilities experience ice buildup in the gap between the door and its guiding assembly, leading to operational malfunctions and potential damage due to air flow and inadequate heat distribution.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing heat conducting materials like aluminum, with strategically positioned fins and a heat source to create a heat-soaked surface area, preventing icing by conducting heat efficiently to the gap between the door and its vertical guides, eliminating the need for artificial heating by convection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heated air is flowed into the hollow side column structure through vent holes to heat the interior area, then some heat is conducted to the gap area, but ice formation continues in the gap area causing operational malfunctions and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning heat conducting fins specifically at the gap area where ice formation occurs, rather than uniformly heating the entire hollow structure. The fins are strategically placed to concentrate thermal energy exactly where needed - at the interface between the door panel and vertical supports - creating a localized thermal field that prevents icing without requiring uniform heating of the whole structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat conducting fins act as intermediary elements between the heated air in the hollow structure and the gap area. Instead of relying on direct convection to the gap, the fins serve as thermal mediators that conduct heat from the warm air to the critical gap region, efficiently transferring thermal energy to prevent ice formation where convection alone is insufficient.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If brush seals are configured on vertical supports to resist cold air, then some cold air entry is prevented, but ice buildup still occurs in the gap area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing thermal parameters (heat conducting fins with high thermal conductivity) to modify the thermal state of the gap area. The fins change the temperature parameter locally, transforming the cold, ice-prone environment into a warmer zone that prevents ice formation, thereby addressing the limitations of mechanical sealing alone.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If heat source is used to flow heated air into the hollow side column structure, then heat is provided to the interior area, but heat distribution to the gap area is insufficient to prevent icing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from volumetric heating (heating the entire hollow structure) to surface-based heating (using fins that extend into the gap area). The fins create a two-dimensional thermal interface that directly contacts the gap region, efficiently distributing heat across the critical area rather than relying on three-dimensional convection throughout the hollow space.
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
Effectively prevents frost and ice buildup in the gap, reducing operational issues and damage by ensuring consistent heat distribution through conduction, enhancing reliability and efficiency compared to traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
Heat conducting material such as, e.g., aluminum, may be used to conduct heat efficiently to prevent icing
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, a system and a method for removing porting, and using geometry to create a heat soaked surface area in an ice area related to door assemblies. Heat conducting material such as, e.g., aluminum, is used to conduct heat efficiently to prevent icing at the transition point between an end of a door panel and its vertical guide structures in applications where freezer environments must be maintained while permitting ingress into a freezer environment, egress from a freezer environment, or both.