Temperature-Stabilized Storage Systems with Integral Regulated Cooling
First Claim
1. A regulated thermal transfer device for a storage container, comprising:
- a phase change material unit, the phase change material unit including one or more walls surrounding a phase-change material region, and an aperture in the one or more walls;
a heat pipe with a first end positioned within the phase change material unit, and a second end traversing the aperture of the one or more walls of the phase change material unit;
a thermoelectric unit thermally connected to the second end of the heat pipe;
a heat sink connected to the thermoelectric unit, and positioned to radiate heat away from the thermoelectric unit; and
an electronic controller operably connected to the thermoelectric unit;
wherein the regulated thermal transfer device is of a size and shape to be positioned so that the phase change material unit is within a storage region of a temperature-stabilized storage container, and the thermoelectric unit is positioned adjacent to an external surface of the temperature-stabilized storage container.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
In some embodiments, a regulated thermal transfer device for a storage container includes: a phase change material unit, the phase change material unit including one or more walls surrounding a phase-change material region, and an aperture in the one or more walls; a heat pipe with a first end positioned within the phase change material unit, and a second end; a thermoelectric unit thermally connected to the second end of the heat pipe; a heat sink connected to the thermoelectric unit, and positioned to radiate heat away from the thermoelectric unit; and an electronic controller operably connected to the thermoelectric unit; wherein the regulated thermal transfer device is of a size and shape to be positioned so that the phase change material unit is within a storage region of a temperature-stabilized storage container, and the thermoelectric unit is positioned adjacent to an external surface of the temperature-stabilized storage container.
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Citations
91 Claims
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1. A regulated thermal transfer device for a storage container, comprising:
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a phase change material unit, the phase change material unit including one or more walls surrounding a phase-change material region, and an aperture in the one or more walls; a heat pipe with a first end positioned within the phase change material unit, and a second end traversing the aperture of the one or more walls of the phase change material unit; a thermoelectric unit thermally connected to the second end of the heat pipe; a heat sink connected to the thermoelectric unit, and positioned to radiate heat away from the thermoelectric unit; and an electronic controller operably connected to the thermoelectric unit; wherein the regulated thermal transfer device is of a size and shape to be positioned so that the phase change material unit is within a storage region of a temperature-stabilized storage container, and the thermoelectric unit is positioned adjacent to an external surface of the temperature-stabilized storage container. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 13, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26)
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2. (canceled)
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7-8. -8. (canceled)
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10-12. -12. (canceled)
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14-15. -15. (canceled)
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18. (canceled)
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22-24. -24. (canceled)
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27. A temperature-stabilized storage container, comprising:
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one or more sections of ultra-efficient insulation material substantially defining a temperature-stabilized storage container including a temperature-stabilized storage region with a single access aperture to the temperature-stabilized storage region; a phase change material unit attached to an internal surface of the temperature-stabilized storage region; a heat pipe with a first end positioned within the phase-change material unit, and a second end positioned adjacent to the single access aperture on an outer surface of the temperature-stabilized storage container; a thermoelectric unit in contact with the second end of the heat pipe; a heat sink connected to the thermoelectric unit and positioned to radiate heat away from the thermoelectric unit; and an electronic controller connected to the thermoelectric unit. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 31, 37, 38, 40, 46, 49, 50, 52, 53, 59)
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30. (canceled)
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32-36. -36. (canceled)
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39. (canceled)
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41-45. -45. (canceled)
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47-48. -48. (canceled)
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51. (canceled)
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54-58. -58. (canceled)
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60. A temperature-stabilized storage container, comprising:
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an outer wall substantially defining an outer surface of a storage container, the outer wall including an outer aperture in an upper region; an inner wall substantially defining a temperature-stabilized storage region internal to the storage container, the inner wall including an inner aperture in an upper region; a gap between the outer wall and the inner wall; a conduit connecting the outer aperture to the inner aperture; one or more sections of ultra-efficient insulation material within the gap; a phase-change material unit attached to an internal surface of the temperature-stabilized storage region; a heat pipe with a first end positioned within the phase-change material unit, and a second end positioned adjacent to the outer aperture; a thermoelectric unit in contact with the second end of the heat pipe; a heat sink unit connected to the thermoelectric unit and positioned to radiate heat away from the thermoelectric unit; and an electronic controller connected to the thermoelectric unit. - View Dependent Claims (65, 66, 68, 70, 73, 79, 82, 83, 84, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91)
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61-64. -64. (canceled)
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67. (canceled)
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69. (canceled)
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71-72. -72. (canceled)
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74-78. -78. (canceled)
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80-81. -81. (canceled)
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85. (canceled)
Specification