IP Library › Patent Application 19011217
Patent Application
App. No. 19/011,217

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

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
19/011,217
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 (7)

1 . 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.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of charging the thermal storage reservoir is performed using an industrial chiller.

3 . The method of claim 1 , 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.

4 . The method of claim 1 , 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.

5 . The method of claim 1 , 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.