In transit refrigeration heat transfer apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for providing heat transfer to a compartment includes a housing having a chamber therein for receiving dry ice and a first surface area exposable to a first space in the compartment for heat transfer; and a first assembly moveable with respect to the first surface area for covering a select portion of the first surface area to control heat transfer at the first space. The first assembly includes at least one pivotable louver.

1 . An apparatus for providing heat transfer to a compartment, comprising:
 a housing having a chamber therein for receiving dry ice and a first surface area exposable to a first space in the compartment for heat transfer; and   a first assembly moveable with respect to the first surface area for covering a select portion of the first surface area to control heat transfer at the first space.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first assembly comprises at least one louver. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one louver is insulated. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first assembly is pivotably mounted to the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first assembly comprises a first plurality of louvers, each one of said louvers being independently movable with respect to the first surface area and others of the first plurality of louvers. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an inlet at the housing in communication with the chamber for providing the dry ice to the chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor exposed to sense a temperature of the first space for generating a signal to control movement of the first assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises:
 a second surface area exposable to a second space of the compartment for other heat transfer; and   a second assembly movable with respect to the second surface area for covering a select portion of the second surface area to control heat transfer at the second space.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the second assembly comprises at least one louver. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one louver is insulated. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the chamber comprises a first section for receiving the dry ice adjacent the first surface area, and a second section for receiving the dry ice adjacent the second surface area. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the second assembly is pivotably mounted to the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the second assembly comprises a second plurality of louvers, each one of said louvers being independently movable with respect to the second surface area and others of the second plurality of louvers. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a first sensor exposed to sense a temperature of the first space for generating a first signal to control movement of the first assembly, and a second sensor exposed to sense a temperature of the second space for generating a second signal to control movement of the second assembly.