Solar Powered Refrigerated Container

Abstract

A portable, solar assisted, temperature controlled container comprises: a body with a cavity; a lid sealable thereon; a detachable solar panel producing electric power; a thermoelectric cooling unit; an interior heat sink secured in the cavity proximate to an interior side of the thermoelectric cooling unit with an interior fan to direct cavity air thereon; an exterior heat sink secured proximate to an exterior-facing side of the thermoelectric cooling unit with an exterior fan to direct exterior air thereon. The thermoelectric cooling unit transports heat to maintain a thermostat-controlled temperature in the cavity. The interior and exterior fans and the interior and exterior heat sinks increase efficiency of the heat transport. One or more wheels rotatably attached to the body are coupled to a faraday generator to generate electrical power to replace/supplement the solar power. A rechargeable battery may also replace/supplement solar power during periods of inadequate solar power generation.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A portable temperature controlled container comprising:
 a body, said body comprising one or more walls configured to form a first opening in a top surface into a cavity defined by an interior surface, and to form an exterior surface;   a lid, said lid configured to releasably seal said first opening of said body;   a solar panel configured to be received in a portion of said lid and attached thereto, said solar panel configured to be detachable from said lid to permit repositioning of said solar panel;   one or more thermoelectric cooling units configured to be powered by said solar panel, said one or more thermoelectric cooling units being fixedly secured in a second opening in said body with a first side being inwardly disposed toward said cavity and a second side being outwardly disposed to form a part of said exterior surface, said one or more thermoelectric cooling units being secured within said second opening to enclose air within said cavity when said lid releasably seals said first opening of said body;   an interior heat sink, said interior heat sink configured to be secured in said body cavity in proximity to said first side of said one or more thermoelectric cooling units and comprising a plurality of fins protruding in towards said cavity;   an interior fan, said interior fan configured to be secured to said body and positioned to direct air within said cavity upon said plurality of heat fins of said interior heat sink and thereby circulate air enclosed within said cavity by said lid;   an exterior heat sink, said exterior heat sink configured to be secured in proximity to said second side of said thermoelectric cooling unit and having a plurality of fins protruding away from said thermoelectric cooling unit;   an exterior fan, said exterior fan being secured to said body and positioned to direct air being in proximity to said exterior surface upon said plurality of heat fins of said exterior heat sink; and   wherein said one or more thermoelectric cooling units are configured to transport heat to maintain a desired temperature in said body cavity; said interior and exterior fans, and said interior and exterior heat sinks being configured to increase efficiency of said heat transport relative to said body cavity.   
     
     
         17 . The portable temperature controlled container according to  claim 16  further comprising one or more wheels rotatably attached to said body and being coupled to an electromechanical generator, said electromechanical generator being configured to generate electrical power from rotation of said rotatably mounted one or more wheels during transport of said portable container. 
     
     
         18 . The portable temperature controlled container according to  claim 16  wherein said solar panel is configured to be placed on another part of said container, when said solar panel is detached from said lid. 
     
     
         19 . The portable temperature controlled container according to  claim 16 ,
 wherein said second opening for mounting of said one or more thermoelectric cooling units, said interior and exterior heat sinks, and said interior and exterior fans is in proximity to said body top surface; and   wherein said container further comprises an interior vent, said interior vent permitting intake of air from an upper portion of said container by said interior fan to supply said air being directed at said plurality of heat fins of said interior heat sink, with air therefrom exiting out said vent and being directed generally downward towards a bottom of said cavity to thereby circulate air within said container.   
     
     
         20 . The portable temperature controlled container according to  claim 16  further comprising a rechargeable battery being electrically coupled to said solar panel and to said one or more thermoelectric cooling units, said battery being continuously recharged by said solar panel. 
     
     
         21 . The portable temperature controlled container according to  claim 16  further comprising a thermostat, said thermostat comparing a current temperature of said cavity to a desired temperature, and wherein said thermostat thereby controls operation of said one or more fans and said one or more thermoelectric cooling units to transport heat to maintain said desired temperature. 
     
     
         22 . The portable temperature controlled container according to  claim 16  further comprising one or more of:
 a retractable A.C. power cord, said A.C. power cord being electrically coupled to said solar panel and to said rechargeable battery; and 
 a retractable D.C. power cord, said D.C. power cord being electrically coupled to said solar panel and to said rechargeable battery, and wherein said D.C. power cord is configured to be plugged into a cigarette lighter outlet. 
 
     
     
         23 . The portable temperature controlled container according to  claim 16  wherein said thermoelectric cooling units transport heat from said exterior into said body cavity to heat said cavity. 
     
     
         24 . The portable temperature controlled container according to  claim 16  wherein said thermoelectric cooling units transport heat from said body cavity to said exterior to refrigerate said body cavity.