Sorption cooling devices

• US 6,701,724 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2002
• Issued: 03/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pelican Nanocool Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: NanoPore Inc.
• Inventors: OʼBrien, Tamara L., Warren, Loix X., Natividad, Veronica, Smith, Douglas M., Roderick, Kevin H., Perkes, Richard G., Sinclair, Vanessa
• Primary Examiner(s): Jiang, Chen Wen
• Application Number:
  US10/165,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20030014982A1
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 623/71, 624/579, 624/577, 622/381, 622/383, 624/94, 624/76, 624/80, 621/01, 621/09
• US Class Current: 62/106
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 5/047 for absorption-type refrigeration systems
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 17/02 the absorbent or adsorbent being a liquid, e.g. brine F25B17/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 17/08 the absorbent or adsorbent being a solid, e.g. salt F25B17/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 11/003 Transport containers
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2201/126 of cellular type
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2201/14 using subatmospheric pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/804 Boxes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Abstract

Novel sorption cooling devices capable of providing cooling over an extended period of time are disclosed. The sorption cooling devices are particularly useful for temperature-controlled shipping containers that are required to maintain a temperature below ambient for a time sufficient to complete delivery of the container and its contents. The shipping containers can be utilized to cost-effectively transport temperature-sensitive products.

Claims

1. A sorption cooling device, comprising:

a) an evaporator for providing cooling;

b) an absorber adapted to absorb vapor from said evaporator;

c) a first reservoir adapted to contain a first refrigerant liquid;

d) a second reservoir adapted to contain a second refrigerant liquid;

e) means for supplying liquid from said first reservoir to said evaporator at a first liquid flow rate; and

f) means for supplying liquid from said second reservoir to said evaporator at a second liquid flow rate, wherein the first liquid flow rate is faster than said second liquid flow rate.

2. A sorption cooling device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a flow restriction device disposed between said second liquid and said evaporator for restricting the flow of said second liquid to said evaporator.

3. A sorption cooling device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first reservoir has a smaller volume capacity than said second reservoir.

4. A sorption cooling device as recited in claim 1, wherein said device further comprises actuation means for releasing liquid from at least one of said first and second reservoirs.

5. A sorption cooling device as recited in claim 1, wherein said device further comprises actuation means for releasing liquid from both said first and said second reservoirs.

6. A sorption cooling device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first liquid has a composition that is different than said second liquid.

7. A sorption cooling device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first liquid comprises a freezing point suppression agent.

8. A sorption cooling device as recited in claim 1, wherein said evaporator comprises a wicking material and wherein said wicking material is impregnated with a freezing point suppression agent.

9. A temperature-controlled shipping container incorporating a sorption cooling device as recited in claim 1.

10. A method for operating a sorption cooling device having an evaporator for providing cooling and an absorber for absorbing vapor formed in the evaporator, comprising the steps of providing a first portion of liquid to said evaporator at a first liquid supply rate and providing a second portion of liquid to said evaporator at a second liquid supply rate that is lower than said first liquid supply rate.

11. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein said first portion of liquid is smaller than said second portion of liquid.

12. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein said first portion is supplied to said evaporator before said second portion is supplied to said evaporator.

13. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein said first portion and second portion are supplied to said evaporator essentially simultaneously.

14. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein said first portion of liquid has a different composition than the composition of said second portion of liquid.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein said first portion of liquid comprises a freezing point suppression agent.