ENERGY EFFICIENT BIOLOGICAL FREEZER WITH VIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

摘要

An automated, ultra-low temperature freezer having multiple structural features that reduce heat transfer into the freezer, protect its internal mechanical devices against low temperature mechanical binding of their movements, allow defrosting and autoclaving as a result of only minimal changes to the conventional CO2 emergency backup system. A group of freezers are arranged so they can simultaneously provide an HVAC function. A vial management system allows biological samples or vials to be automatically placed in and recovered from the freezer and associates the temperature history with each sample or vial that it was subjected to during its storage.

主权项

1. An ultra-low temperature freezer having an enclosed cabinet including a surrounding wall of thermal insulation having an interior side and an exterior side, a refrigerating apparatus and an access portal through the surrounding wall having a door as a closure for the portal, the freezer comprising:
(a) a plurality of trays stacked within the cabinet for supporting containers stored in the freezer; (b) a vertical plenum formed into the thermal insulation, the plenum having a back wall recessed into the insulation, sidewalls and opening along one side into the enclosed cabinet toward the trays; and (c) a trolley robot slidable along a vertical track mounted within the plenum, the trolley having a reach arm driven by a motor into extension from the trolley robot and the reach arm having an attached picker for attaching to or releasing a container stored on a tray, the trolley robot being pivotally mounted for rotation about a vertical axis and having a motor for pivoting the trolley robot so that its reach arm can extend into the cabinet or radially outwardly from the cabinet, the trolley robot further having a motor for driving the trolley robot vertically along the vertical track.