Temperature Controlled Cargo Containers

Abstract

Temperature controlled cargo containers may include thermal masses conditioned to temperatures above and/or below a target temperature. Example thermal masses may include plates including phase change materials, such as eutectic materials. One or more fans may be selectively operated to circulate air in the cargo container across one or more of the thermal masses to maintain the temperature within the cargo container within a prescribed temperature band. Some example temperature controlled cargo containers may include refrigeration units and/or heaters for regenerating the thermal masses when receiving power from an external power source and/or may include one or more rechargeable batteries for providing power during transport or storage independent of external power sources.

1 .- 52 . (canceled) 
     
     
         53 . A method of storing a product in a container, the method comprising:
 operating a refrigeration system comprising at least one evaporator coil extending through an interior of a cold phase change plate associated with an interior storage space of a container to circulate a chilled fluid through the evaporator coil and thereby cool a cold phase change solution within the cold phase change plate and cool the cold phase change plate, the cold phase change solution being external to the evaporator coil and in direct contact with the evaporator coil, the cold phase change solution having a cold phase change solution melting point, wherein the container comprises an enclosure constructed of insulated walls, wherein the interior storage space is within the enclosure, wherein the cold phase change plate is disposed within the enclosure and is arranged for selective thermal communication with the interior storage space, and wherein the refrigeration system is powered from a first external source of electrical power;   operating a heater in thermal contact with a warm phase change plate associated with the interior storage space to heat the warm phase change plate, wherein the warm phase change plate is disposed within the enclosure and is arranged for selective thermal communication with the interior storage space, wherein the heater is powered from the first external source of electrical power;   placing a product in the interior storage space;   disconnecting the refrigeration system and the heater from the first external source of electrical power; and   controlling a temperature associated with the interior storage space by measuring the temperature associated with the interior storage space; and   selectively operating at least one of a cooling fan arranged to cause airflow across the cold phase change plate and a warming fan arranged to cause airflow across the warm phase change plate if the temperature associated with the interior storage space departs from a predetermined temperature range, wherein the at least one cooling fan and the at least one warming fan are powered from a rechargeable battery associated with the container;   wherein the refrigeration unit and the heater are not operable while disconnected from the first external source of electrical power.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprising, prior to operating the refrigeration system and operating the heater, connecting the refrigeration system and the heater to the first external source of electrical power. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprising, after disconnecting the refrigeration system and the heater from the first external source of electrical power, loading the container into a vehicle. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein loading the container into the vehicle includes loading the refrigeration system and the heater into the vehicle, the refrigeration system and the heater being mounted to the container. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , further comprising, transporting the container from a first location to a second location using the vehicle; and at the second location, conditioning at least one of the cold phase change plate and the warm phase change plate. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , further comprising, prior to conditioning the at least one of the cold phase change plate and the warm phase change plate at the second location, connecting at least one of the refrigeration unit and the heater to a second external source of electrical power. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the container further comprises an equipment section substantially adjacent to the enclosure: and wherein at least a portion of the refrigeration system is disposed in the equipment section. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein controlling the temperature associated with the interior storage space includes directing the airflow along a first side of the cold phase change plate in a first direction and directing the airflow along a second side of the cold phase change plate in a second direction; and
 wherein the second direction is substantially opposite the first direction.   
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein controlling the temperature associated with the interior storage space includes directing the airflow along a first side of the warm phase change plate in a first direction and directing the airflow along a second side of the warm phase change plate in a second direction; and
 wherein the second direction is substantially opposite the first direction.   
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 53  wherein the heater comprises an electrical resistance heater. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 53  wherein the heater comprises a heat exchanger located in an interior of the warm phase change plate wherein a warmed fluid is adapted to circulate through the heat exchanger, the warm phase change solution having a warm phase change solution melting point. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63  including an electrical resistance heater in thermal contact with the warmed fluid. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the warmed fluid comprises water. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 53  wherein the chilled fluid comprises water. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 53  including releasably connecting the evaporator coil of the cold phase change plate to a source of the chilled fluid, the source of chilled fluid being located externally to the container. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 67  including disconnecting the evaporator coil of the cold phase change plate from the source of chilled fluid to facilitate transport of the container.