Vacuum Cooler Structure for Low Heat Transfer and Freshness Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for storing heat-sensitive products without a power source fail to effectively reduce radiant, convective, and conductive heat transfer, and do not eliminate the detrimental effects of oxygen, leading to reduced storage duration and freshness.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum-sealed container with a radiation reflective material that minimizes heat transfer by removing air molecules and shielding products from radiant heat, while maintaining a vacuum environment to prevent oxygen-induced spoilage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If traditional insulated coolers are used to store heat-sensitive products, then the products can be stored for a limited time without power, but the storage duration is reduced and heat transfer (radiant, convective, conductive) is not effectively minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes air molecules from the storage chamber to create a vacuum environment, extracting the medium that facilitates heat transfer and oxygen that causes spoilage. This vacuum state eliminates convection and significantly reduces conduction and radiation heat transfer, directly extending storage duration while minimizing energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a radiant barrier as an intermediary layer between the external environment and the stored products. This barrier specifically addresses radiant heat transfer by reflecting or absorbing radiant energy, complementing the vacuum's ability to block conductive and convective heat transfer.
2Loss of energy
If traditional coolers are used, then basic insulation is provided, but radiant heat, convective heat, and conductive heat are not effectively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes air molecules from the storage chamber to create a vacuum environment, extracting the medium that facilitates heat transfer and oxygen that causes spoilage. This vacuum state eliminates convection and significantly reduces conduction and radiation heat transfer, directly extending storage duration while minimizing energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a radiant barrier as an intermediary layer between the external environment and the stored products. This barrier specifically addresses radiant heat transfer by reflecting or absorbing radiant energy, complementing the vacuum's ability to block conductive and convective heat transfer.
3Reliability
If air is present in the storage chamber, then oxygen causes product decomposition and spoilage, but removing air requires vacuum technology
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes air molecules from the storage chamber to create a vacuum environment, extracting the medium that facilitates heat transfer and oxygen that causes spoilage. This vacuum state eliminates convection and significantly reduces conduction and radiation heat transfer, directly extending storage duration while minimizing energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a vacuum environment that effectively removes oxygen and other reactive gases from the storage chamber. This inert environment prevents oxidation and biological decomposition of stored products, significantly improving reliability and product freshness over extended storage periods.
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 extends the storage duration of heat-sensitive products by significantly reducing heat transfer and spoilage, maintaining freshness for longer periods without the need for refrigeration or heating.
Implementation Method 1
by removing the air molecules the proposed invention creates a far superior container while simultaneously removing the decomposing effects of oxygen
Implementation Method 2
the described air barrier between the inner and outer shell is far less efficient at reducing conductive and convective heat than removing air molecules all together
Implementation Method 3
the described air barrier between the inner and outer shell is far less efficient at reducing conductive and convective heat than removing air molecules all together
Implementation Method 4
Stewart sets out to improve the efficiency of the cooler by including radiant heat barrier and air space between an inner and an outer shell
Implementation Method 5
the proposed invention creates a far superior container while simultaneously removing the decomposing effects of oxygen
Data Source
AI summary
A portable, durable, lightweight cooler system designed to maintain beverages, food, medical supplies, drugs, and other heat sensitive products at existing temperatures with substantially reduced heat gain or loss from the surrounding environment for extended periods of time, when no power source is available. This container is designed to greatly reduce radiant heat transfer along with conductive and convective heat transfer while diminishing decomposition effects of stored items and thus maintaining freshness. This system includes a cooler housing, a reinforced lid, a radiation reflective material application, and a system to remove air from the containment area, thus creating a vacuum within the cooler itself and sealing the lid to the cooler housing. Upon actuation of a vacuum release device, air is reintroduced into the containment area thus allowing the lid to be removed and the stored products be accessed.