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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 52 . (canceled) 
     
     
         53 . A method of operating a temperature-controlled cargo container, the method comprising:
 conditioning a cold phase change plate disposed within an insulated enclosure using a refrigeration system comprising at least one evaporator coil extending through an interior of the cold phase change plate adapted to circulate a chilled fluid through the evaporator coil, wherein the enclosure is a component of a temperature-controlled cargo container, and wherein the cold phase change plate comprises a cold phase change solution 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, the cold phase change solution adapted to be cooled by the chilled fluid circulating through the evaporator coil;   conditioning a warm phase change plate disposed within the insulated enclosure using a heater in thermal contact with the warm phase change plate, wherein an insulated divider wall interposes the cold phase change plate and the warm phase change plate, and wherein the warm phase change plate comprises a warm phase change solution having a warm phase change solution melting point, and wherein the warm phase change solution melting point is higher than the cold phase change solution melting point;   receiving a product in an interior storage space of the temperature-controlled cargo container, wherein the interior storage space is disposed within the enclosure, and wherein the interior storage space is arranged for selective heat exchange with the cold phase change plate and the warm phase change plate; and   controlling a temperature associated with the product while the refrigeration system and the heater are not operated, including   monitoring the temperature associated with the product;   if the temperature associated with the product rises above a target temperature range, operating a cooling fan arranged to cause an air flow across the cold phase change plate by drawing air from the interior storage space through a first separator wall at least partially interposing the interior storage space and the cold phase change plate, flowing the air past the cold phase change plate, and discharging the air into the interior storage space; and   if the temperature associated with the product falls below the target temperature range, operating a warming fan arranged to cause an air flow across the warm phase change plate by drawing air from the interior storage space through a second separator wall at least partially interposing the interior storage space and the warm phase change plate, flowing the air past the warm phase change plate, and discharging the air into the interior storage space.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein at least one of the cold phase change solution and the warm phase change solution comprises a eutectic material. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53 ,wherein controlling the temperature associated with the product includes directing the air flow along a first side of the warm phase change plate in a first direction and directing the air flow 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.   
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 53 ,
 wherein controlling the temperature associated with the product includes directing the air flow along a first side of the cold phase change plate in a first direction and directing the air flow 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.   
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the first separator wall and the second separator wall are connected to one another. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 53  wherein the heater comprises an electrical resistance heater. 
     
     
         59 . 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. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59  including an electrical resistance heater in thermal contact with the warmed fluid. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 59  wherein the warmed fluid comprises water. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 53  wherein the chilled fluid comprises water. 
     
     
         63 . 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 cargo container. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63  including disconnecting the evaporator coil of the cold phase change plate from the source of chilled fluid to facilitate transport of the cargo container.