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
0 Petitions
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.
-
Citations
43 Claims
-
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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A temperature-stabilized storage container, comprising:
-
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 (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. A temperature-stabilized storage container, comprising:
-
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 (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
-
Specification