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 . 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.
2 . The thermal charger of claim 1 , wherein the thermal charger is portable.
3 . The thermal charger of claim 2 , wherein the thermal charger comprises wheels and is transportable.