IP Library › Patent Application 19011210
Patent Application
App. No. 19/011,210

RECHARGEABLE THERMAL BATTERY SYSTEMS FOR USE IN TRANSPORTING OR STORING PERISHABLE ITEMS

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
19/011,210
Abstract

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.

Claims (47)

1 . A transportation vessel having a storage area for receiving and maintaining items at one or more temperatures, comprising:

(a) a storage area heat exchanger located in air communication with the storage area;

(b) a thermal battery system comprising a thermal battery comprising a phase change material (PCM) with first and second heat exchangers embedded in the PCM;

(c) a first plurality of fluid conduits defining fluid passageways interconnecting in fluid communication the storage area heat exchanger and the first PCM-embedded heat exchanger;

(d) a pump onboard the apparatus and arranged in fluid communication with the first plurality of fluid conduits and configured to create a fluid flow through the first plurality of fluid conduits between the storage area heat exchanger and the first PCM-embedded heat exchanger;

(e) a pair of external ports configured for connecting to an external charging source for charging the PCM of the thermal battery system; and

(f) a second plurality of fluid conduits defining fluid passageways interconnecting in fluid communication the external ports and the second PCM-embedded heat exchanger;

(g) wherein the first PCM-embedded heat exchanger, pump, storage area heat exchanger, and the first plurality of fluid conduits are part of a first closed-loop circuit for transferring heat between the storage area and the thermal battery system; and

(h) wherein the second PCM-embedded heat exchanger, external ports, and the second plurality of fluid conduits are not part of the first closed-loop circuit; and

further comprising a charging unit that is part of the first closed-loop circuit and that is configured to charge the PCM of the thermal battery system.

2 . The transportation vessel of claim 1 , wherein the charging unit comprises thermoelectric cooling elements.

3 . The transportation vessel of claim 1 , wherein the charging unit comprises resistive heating elements.

4 . The transportation vessel of claim 1 , wherein the charging unit comprises a refrigeration unit located upstream of the thermal battery system and downstream of the storage area heat exchanger.

5 . The transportation vessel of claim 1 , wherein the transportation vessel comprises a cart.

6 . The transportation vessel of claim 1 , wherein the transportation vessel comprises a trailer.

7 . The transportation vessel of claim 1 , wherein the transportation vessel comprises a vehicle.

8 . The transportation vessel of claim 1 , wherein the transportation vessel comprises a cab and a box-shaped storage compartment defining the storage area.

9 . A transportation vessel having a storage area for receiving and maintaining items at one or more temperatures, comprising:

(a) a storage area heat exchanger located in air communication with the storage area;

(b) a thermal battery system comprising a thermal battery comprising a phase change material (PCM) with first and second heat exchangers embedded in the PCM;

(c) a first plurality of fluid conduits defining fluid passageways interconnecting in fluid communication the storage area heat exchanger and the first PCM-embedded heat exchanger;

(d) a pump onboard the apparatus and arranged in fluid communication with the first plurality of fluid conduits and configured to create a fluid flow through the first plurality of fluid conduits between the storage area heat exchanger and the first PCM-embedded heat exchanger;

(e) a pair of external ports configured for connecting to an external charging source for charging the PCM of the thermal battery system; and

(f) a second plurality of fluid conduits defining fluid passageways interconnecting in fluid communication the external ports and the second PCM-embedded heat exchanger;

(g) wherein the first PCM-embedded heat exchanger, pump, storage area heat exchanger, and the first plurality of fluid conduits are part of a first closed-loop circuit for transferring heat between the storage area and the thermal battery system; and

(h) wherein the second PCM-embedded heat exchanger, external ports, and the second plurality of fluid conduits are not part of the first closed-loop circuit; and

further comprising a cooling or heating unit that is part of the first closed-loop circuit and that is located downstream of the thermal battery system and upstream of the storage area heat exchanger and is utilized to maintain a temperature in the storage area via the storage area heat exchanger, whereby one or more temperatures of the storage space are maintained by the thermal battery system arranged in series with the cooling or heating unit.

10 . The transportation vessel of claim 9 , further comprising a second pump onboard the apparatus and arranged in fluid communication with the first plurality of fluid conduits and configured to create a fluid flow through the first plurality of fluid conduits between the storage area heat exchanger and the heating or cooling unit, wherein the second pump is arranged within the first closed-loop circuit in series with the heating or cooling unit.

11 . The transportation vessel of claim 9 , wherein the transportation vessel comprises a cart.

12 . The transportation vessel of claim 9 , wherein the transportation vessel comprises a trailer.

13 . The transportation vessel of claim 9 , wherein the transportation vessel comprises a vehicle.

14 . The transportation vessel of claim 9 , wherein the transportation vessel comprises a cab and a box-shaped storage compartment defining the storage area.

15 . A transportation vessel having a storage area for receiving and maintaining items at one or more temperatures, comprising:

(a) a storage area heat exchanger located in air communication with the storage area;

(b) a thermal battery system comprising a thermal battery comprising a phase change material (PCM) with first and second heat exchangers embedded in the PCM;

(c) a first plurality of fluid conduits defining fluid passageways interconnecting in fluid communication the storage area heat exchanger and the first PCM-embedded heat exchanger;

(d) a pump onboard the apparatus and arranged in fluid communication with the first plurality of fluid conduits and configured to create a fluid flow through the first plurality of fluid conduits between the storage area heat exchanger and the first PCM-embedded heat exchanger;

(e) a pair of external ports configured for connecting to an external charging source for charging the PCM of the thermal battery system; and

(f) a second plurality of fluid conduits defining fluid passageways interconnecting in fluid communication the external ports and the second PCM-embedded heat exchanger;

(g) wherein the first PCM-embedded heat exchanger, pump, storage area heat exchanger, and the first plurality of fluid conduits are part of a first closed-loop circuit for transferring heat between the storage area and the thermal battery system; and

(h) wherein the second PCM-embedded heat exchanger, external ports, and the second plurality of fluid conduits are not part of the first closed-loop circuit; and

further comprising a cooling or heating unit that is part of the first closed-loop circuit and that is arranged for alternative fluid flow with the thermal battery system within the first closed-loop circuit, whereby the cooling or heating unit and the thermal battery system are alternatively utilized to maintain a temperature in the storage area via the storage area heat exchanger.

16 . The transportation vessel of claim 15 , further comprising a second pump onboard the apparatus and arranged in fluid communication with the first plurality of fluid conduits and configured to create a fluid flow through the first plurality of fluid conduits between the storage area heat exchanger and the heating or cooling unit, wherein the second pump is arranged within the first closed-loop circuit in series with the heating or cooling unit.

17 . The transportation vessel of claim 15 , wherein the transportation vessel comprises a cart.

18 . The transportation vessel of claim 15 , wherein the transportation vessel comprises a trailer.

19 . The transportation vessel of claim 15 , wherein the transportation vessel comprises a vehicle.

20 . The transportation vessel of claim 15 , wherein the transportation vessel comprises a cab and a box-shaped storage compartment defining the storage area.