Two-Layer Centrifuge Container for Indirect Cooling Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing indirect cooling methods for laboratory centrifuges are inefficient, requiring high energy due to limited surface contact between the cooling medium and the container, and face challenges with thermal expansion and operational safety when using materials like copper and epoxy resin.
Innovation Solution
A centrifuge container with at least two layers of different thermal conductivity, where the higher conductivity layer is on the outside, enhancing heat transfer and manufacturing simplicity, and allowing for various shapes and configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If indirect cooling is used through a heat exchanger principle with ambient air or cooling medium conducted along the outside of the container, then the material can be cooled down (and even below ambient temperature), but the cooling efficiency is limited due to limited surface contact of the cooling medium with the container
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional cooling (cooling medium flowing along the exterior surface) to two-dimensional cooling by integrating cooling channels directly within the container wall structure. This allows the cooling medium to contact the container from multiple dimensions simultaneously, dramatically increasing the effective heat transfer surface area and improving cooling efficiency while reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling channels are nested within the container wall structure itself, with the cooling medium flowing through channels that are embedded in the container body. This nested configuration allows the cooling system to be integrated into the container architecture, maximizing the heat transfer surface area without increasing the external dimensions of the container.
2Temperature
If copper cooling coils are glued to the container with aluminum filled epoxy resin, then heat transfer is improved, but thermal expansion differences cause cracking noises and operational safety concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the container wall to have high thermal conductivity (approaching that of copper) while maintaining compatibility with the cooling system. By modifying the wall material's inherent thermal properties rather than adding separate cooling coils with different thermal expansion coefficients, the patent achieves efficient heat transfer without the thermal expansion mismatch problems that cause cracking and safety issues.
3Temperature
If direct cooling is used with ambient air conducted through the centrifuge container, then cooling is effective, but the container must have outlet openings which prevent use in stirring devices requiring closed configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements cooling channels within the container wall structure, transitioning from external cooling (requiring outlet openings) to internal cooling. The cooling medium flows through channels embedded in the walls, allowing heat transfer through the wall surfaces without requiring any openings in the container, thus maintaining closed configuration for stirring applications while achieving effective cooling.
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 two-layer design significantly improves cooling efficiency by increasing the heat transfer surface area, reducing energy requirements, and ensuring operational safety by minimizing thermal expansion issues.
Implementation Method 1
the container body comprises at least two container layers (10, 11) in heat conducting contact with one another and with different thermal conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
The present relates to a container and to a device for indirect material cooling and to a method for producing the container according to the invention. Through the present invention a much more efficient indirect heat transfer is facilitated from the exterior of the container into the interior of the container. The improvement of the heat conductivity and of the heat transfer of centrifuge containers yields a reduction of the necessary power of the refrigeration system for cooled centrifuges. Through the higher performance of the centrifuge a higher speed can be run for identical centrifuge temperatures and/or at the same centrifuge temperature and speed, the input power of the refrigeration unit can be reduced.