RECHARGEABLE THERMAL BATTERY SYSTEMS FOR USE IN TRANSPORTING OR STORING PERISHABLE ITEMS
An apparatus includes a cargo area with a heat exchanger; a thermal battery system having a phase change material (PCM) with first and second heat exchangers embedded in the PCM; fluid conduits defining fluid passageways interconnecting the cargo area heat exchanger and the first PCM-embedded heat exchanger; and a pump creating a fluid flow through the fluid conduits between the cargo area heat exchanger and the first PCM-embedded heat exchanger. The apparatus also includes external ports configured for connecting to an external charging source for charging the PCM; and fluid conduits defining fluid passageways interconnecting the external ports and the second PCM-embedded heat exchanger. The first PCM-embedded heat exchanger, pump, and cargo area heat exchanger form part of a first closed-loop circuit for transferring heat between the cargo area and the thermal battery system. The second PCM-embedded heat exchanger and external ports do not part of the first closed-loop circuit.
1 - 28 . (canceled)
29 . A thermal charger for charging a thermal battery system of a vessel, comprising a charging hose and a return hose each configured to connect to ports of the vessel for fluid flow to and from a PCM-charging circuit of the vessel; an onboard pump; a phase change material; and a heat exchanger embedded in the phase change material; wherein the hoses, the pump, and the heat exchanger define a PCM-discharging circuit of the thermal charger; and further comprising an electric battery for powering the pump by which a heat-transfer fluid is circulated through PCM-discharging circuit of the thermal charger and the PCM-charging circuit of the vessel.
30 . The thermal charger of claim 29 , wherein the thermal charger is portable.
31 . The thermal charger of claim 30 , wherein the thermal charger comprises wheels and is transportable.
32 . The thermal charger of claim 30 , wherein the PCM-discharging circuit of the thermal charger also serves as the PCM-charging circuit of the thermal charger.
33 . An apparatus for simultaneously charging a plurality of thermal batteries, comprising a thermal charger connected to charging circuits of the thermal batteries for charging the thermal batteries; and an industrial chiller connected to a charging circuit of the thermal charger for charging the thermal storage reservoir.
34 . The apparatus of claim 33 , wherein the thermal charger comprises one or more thermal batteries.
35 . The apparatus of claim 33 , wherein each thermal battery is part of a respective transportation vessel.
36 - 37 . (canceled)
38 . A method of simultaneously charging a plurality of thermal batteries, comprising:
(a) charging a thermal storage reservoir; and thereafter
(b) charging each of the thermal batteries simultaneously using the thermal storage reservoir.
39 . The method of claim 38 , wherein each thermal battery is part of a transportation vessel.
40 . The method of claim 38 , wherein said step of charging the thermal storage reservoir is performed using an industrial chiller.
41 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the thermal batteries are arranged in parallel, and the thermal storage reservoir is located at an end of a line of the plurality of thermal batteries.
42 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the thermal batteries are arranged in parallel, and the thermal storage reservoir is located at a middle of the line of the plurality of thermal batteries.
43 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the charging of the thermal storage reservoir is carried out over an extended period of time that is much longer relative to a period of time of simultaneously charging the plurality of thermal batteries.