초록 ▼

A system for heating or cooling a sample is disclosed, which includes an insulated chamber; at least one of a heater or a cooling pad disposed within the chamber; and at least one compliant, fluid filled pillow. The at least one compliant, fluid-filled pillow is disposed in the chamber and adjacent

A system for heating or cooling a sample is disclosed, which includes an insulated chamber; at least one of a heater or a cooling pad disposed within the chamber; and at least one compliant, fluid filled pillow. The at least one compliant, fluid-filled pillow is disposed in the chamber and adjacent to the at least one thermal device while being heated or cooled to a desired temperature by the heater or the cooling pad, and upon reaching the desired temperature, the at least one compliant, fluid filled pillow substantially conforms to a container containing the sample.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system for controlling a temperature of a sample, comprising: an insulated chamber;at least one compliant vessel disposed within the chamber;at least one thermal device configured to attain a pre-defined temperature, disposed within the chamber and in physical contact with a wall of the at leas

1. A system for controlling a temperature of a sample, comprising: an insulated chamber;at least one compliant vessel disposed within the chamber;at least one thermal device configured to attain a pre-defined temperature, disposed within the chamber and in physical contact with a wall of the at least one compliant vessel; anda fluid disposed within the at least one compliant vessel and contained in a closed system within the chamber such that the chamber is dry,wherein an outer surface of the at least one compliant vessel is in contact with and substantially conforms to a container containing the sample. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid in the compliant vessel is one of: water, an alcohol, an oil, ethylene glycol, an aqueous solution, an aqueous suspension, or a slurry. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the fluid further comprises solid particles suspended therein. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the compliant vessel comprises a sealed sac made of one of: a flexible plastic, a metallic material, a metallized plastic, a metal foil, a thermoplastic, or a waterproof fabric or leather, and the fluid is entirely contained within the compliant vessel. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the closed system further includes a circulating pump fluidly connected to the compliant vessel by an inbound flow line and an outbound flow line, the circulating pump being configured to circulate fluid within each of the at least one compliant vessel, wherein the circulating pump and the compliant vessel, wherein the fluid is entirely contained within the compliant vessel, the circulating pump, and the inbound and outbound flow lines. 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a motion table on which the compliant vessel and the sample are disposed, wherein the motion table is configured to move in an oscillating, rocking, vibrating, or shaking motion. 7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a flywheel coupled to a drive shaft, the drive shaft being further coupled to the motion table to generate an oscillating or a rocking motion. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one compliant vessel disposed within the chamber further comprises a first compliant vessel and a second compliant vessel, and wherein each of the first and the second compliant vessels is in contact with a thermal device of the at least one thermal device. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the insulated chamber further comprises a base and a lid. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first compliant vessel is disposed within the base, and the second compliant vessel fluid filled is affixed to an interior of the chamber lid, such that when the lid is closed on the base, the container containing the sample is disposed between and is in contact with both of the first and the second compliant vessels. 11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a baseplate spring-mounted to the base, wherein the baseplate is configured to adjustably provide a pressure on the first compliant vessel against the second compliant vessel. 12. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one temperature sensor disposed on one or more of: the container containing the sample container, the thermal device, or the compliant vessel. 13. The system of claim 12, further comprising: a plurality of temperature sensors disposed on each of a plurality of compliant vessels; anda plurality of temperature sensors disposed on each of a plurality of sample containers. 14. The system of claim 12, further comprising a system control center in signal communication with the at least one temperature sensor, the system control center including a computing device configured to: receive user input via a user input device, the user input including at least one of: a pre-defined temperature to which the sample is to be heated,a desired rate of heating or cooling, ora specified action to be taken upon determination that the pre-defined temperature has been achieved, wherein the specified action is one of: opening the insulated chamber, moving a sample container away from the at least one compliant vessel, sounding an alarm, displaying a message on a display unit, or adjusting an output of the thermal device within the insulated chamber;execute, via controlling output of the thermal device, a temperature adjustment of the sample container in accordance with the user input; andreceive temperature feedback data from the at least one temperature sensor, wherein the executing is based at least in part on the temperature feedback data. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the computing device is further configured to store the temperature feedback data and create a log documenting conditions during a temperature adjustment cycle. 16. The system of claim 14, wherein the computing device is further configured to receive and store time and motion table data. 17. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second insulated chamber for holding and maintaining a temperature of one or more samples. 18. The system of claim 17, further comprising at least one temperature sensor disposed within the second insulated chamber, for monitoring a temperature within the second insulated chamber. 19. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one thermal device includes a heating device selected from a group consisting of: a thermoelectric heating pad, a Peltier heater, a cartridge heater, a resistance wire, and a heat pump. 20. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one thermal device includes a cooling device selected from a group consisting of: a Peltier device and a refrigeration pump.