BR112019021500A2 - PASSIVE REFRIGERATION SYSTEM FOR THE REFRIGERATION INDUSTRY - Google Patents

Abstract

a passive cooling box for controlled cooling of a product comprising an outer box including an outer insulation layer; an inner box including an inner insulation layer, and thermal protection on an outer layer of the inner insulation, the inner box and the outer box defining a vapor channel between them; a thermal link including the thermal layer and a plurality of heat pipes or thermosyphons, the thermal layer and a top section of the inner box defining a refrigerant chamber, the refrigerant chamber including a refrigerant chamber access, and in communication with the steam channel, and the thermal layer and a bottom section of the inner box defining a charge chamber, the charge chamber including a charge chamber access, each heat pipe or thermosiphon having a condenser section arranged in the refrigerant chamber and an evaporator section arranged in the loading chamber and extending through the thermal chamber.

Description

"PASSIVE REFRIGERATION SYSTEM FOR THE REFRIGERATION INDUSTRY"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to the field of passive refrigeration systems, for use in perishable refrigeration products during transport and storage. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a refrigeration system that uses carbon dioxide-free cooling in the cargo chamber, and that has a high degree of temperature regulation. The system can be used, for example, for pallet-sized loads, for trailer-sized loads and for stationary, and therefore scalable, cold storage facilities.

FUNDAMENTALS

[002] The refrigeration industry is responsible for the transport and storage of refrigerated products sensitive to temperature, such as pharmaceutical and food products. Losses may be incurred due to insufficient cooling or improper temperatures. Currently, it needs expensive electromechanical refrigeration trucks with multiple refrigerated compartments that can be adjusted to different temperatures, or place all items at a single temperature and hope that the frozen product does not melt and break apart before delivery.

[003] United States Patent No. 4,891,954 describes a refrigeration system (10) consisting of an isolated wagon (12) that uses sublimated carbon dioxide (CO2) to maintain the integrity of stored products. The insulated rail (12) includes a divider (22) that divides the insulated rail (12) into a lower storage area (26) and an upper tank (24). The tank (24) contains a distribution manifold (28) for the formation of carbon dioxide snow and distribution of the snow formed through the tank (24). The sublimation holes (30) at the

Petition 870190102813, of 11/10/2019, p. 51/76

2/21 along each side wall (18) and end wall (20) allow the sublimated carbon dioxide to pass into the lower storage area (26) in order to cool the products stored during transport. A plenum (42) and emission vent (44) is provided at each end of the insulated rail (12) to let sublimated carbon dioxide escape into the outside atmosphere. The insulated rail (12) also includes pressure relief holes (32) located substantially below the distribution manifold (28) to escape instantaneous gas generated during the snow formation process. This technology does not allow temperature control over time, nor is there a consistent temperature throughout the chamber. In addition, CO2 is added to the loading chamber.

[004] United States Patent No. 5,460,013 describes a refrigerated thin-walled transport container (8) including a horizontal divider element (20) forming a compartment (22) for retaining CO2 snow created by passing Liquid CO2 through the manifold (24) along one side of the compartment and spraying the CO2 snow against the opposite wall. The loading of the cooling compartment generates gas pressure, and the combination design of the loading manifold and the pressure releasing sighs allows the operation to be carried out without developing excessive pressure generating structural damage. This technology does not allow temperature control over time, or in different regions of the container. In addition, the gaseous CO2 is added to the chamber.

[005] United States Patent No. 7,310,967 describes a cryogenic transport and storage container, with an onboard cooling unit in the form of a tank for holding solid refrigerant. The unit can be configured for different sizes, and is used to cool product other than frozen product. Although this system allows for better temperature control in the chamber, it does require power and fans, and therefore does not

Petition 870190102813, of 11/10/2019, p. 52/76

3/21 is a passive system. In addition, CO2 gas is added to the chamber.

[006] United States Patent No. 8,191,380 describes a portable active cryogenic container for product maintenance at cryogenic and / or refrigerated temperatures. The container comprises a control system to monitor and control the flow of cooling air from a tank section to at least one material storage section in which a temperature sensitive product is contained. The control system is coupled to a fan that increases heat transfer through forced convection when the system moves out of thermal tolerance. The cryogenic container is powered using battery packs or plugged into a vehicle's 12-volt power source. Although this system allows for better temperature control in the chamber, it does require power and fans, and is therefore not a passive system. In addition, gaseous CO2 is added to the chamber. The refrigerant, which is liquid nitrogen, travels through a vaporizing liquid heat exchanger. Unlike a heat pipe, it has an open end. The open end discharges the refrigerant into the environment into the chamber.

[007] United States Patent No. 3,714,793 describes a liquefied gas vaporizer in the bottom portion of the freeze-sensitive product storage chamber with thermal insulation around the liquid vaporizer and metal floor medium. conductor thermally contiguously associated with and in relation to heat transfer with 0 thermal insulation. The refrigerant, which is liquid nitrogen, travels through a vaporizing liquid heat exchanger. Unlike a heat pipe, it has an open end. The open end discharges the refrigerant into the environment into the chamber.

[008] United States Patent No. 3,421,336 describes a system for more even distribution of refrigerant in long-haul trailers.

Petition 870190102813, of 11/10/2019, p. 53/76

4/21 distance and wagons by spraying cold fluid in the product chamber and continuously expanding the cold liquid vaporized in the same chamber with the production of external work that is recovered to recirculate the sprayed cold fluid.

[009] United States Patent No. 7,891,575 describes a storage and thermal transfer system that includes a cooling system and method using ice or other frozen material with heat tubes to produce a cold air stream. Preferably, the ice is disposed in a container with the condensers and vaporizers of the heat pipes respectively inside and outside the container. A fan blows air through the evaporator sections through a duct to circulate within a closed air space to be cooled. A separate cooling system that can be used to independently cool the air space also freezes water or other liquid to produce ice or other frozen material in the container. The cooling system is widely applicable, including use in motor vehicles to provide cooling for many hours when the vehicle's engine is turned off. A heating system includes an adsorbent heat exchanger to extract heat from an engine's exhaust gas and to heat a closed air space. Again, this is not a passive system, as it requires fans.

[010] United States Patent Application Publication No. US2004 / 0226309 describes a portable, temperature-controlled container for storing and transporting temperature-sensitive materials. The portable container with temperature control includes a container with a bottom wall, four side walls and a top wall defining a cargo space. The container includes a temperature regulating unit connected to the container. The temperature control unit comprises a refrigeration unit. The temperature control unit is in communication with the cargo space of the container. The container includes a temperature controller connected to the container. The controller

Petition 870190102813, of 11/10/2019, p. 54/76

5/21 temperature comprises a temperature control unit and a temperature sensor positioned in the cargo space of the container. The container also includes an energy source. The temperature control unit may include a heating unit. Again, this is not a passive cooling system.

[011] United States Patent No. 8,162,542 describes a cargo container that includes a cargo box affixed on top of a hollow base, with the base including forklift tunnels extending through it with elongated recesses arranged parallel to them. Each recess includes a removable tray for receiving electrical batteries. And, a temperature control system is arranged on a side wall contiguous to the base. The cargo container has an electric heater and vapor compression refrigeration. Onboard batteries provide power during transport. This is not a passive system.

[012] United States Patent Application Publication No. US2013 / 0008188 describes a cryogenic heat exchanger that includes a container provided with a side wall defining a chamber in the container for containing a cryogenic substance, and at least one heat exchange assembly provided with a first portion arranged in the chamber and extending through the side wall to a second portion arranged in an atmosphere of a space external to the chamber and on an opposite side of the side wall to provide heat transfer to the atmosphere. The system uses heat pipes, but it also includes at least one fan, and is therefore not a passive system. The temperature can be adjusted by varying the pressure of the cryogenic substance (liquid nitrogen or liquid carbon dioxide) in the tank, presumably with a pump or by adjusting the fan speed. Again, none of these methods are passive. Other temperature adjustment methods do not allow temperature adjustment quickly, but instead involve the use of a variable volume liquid reservoir for the evaporator section of each heat pipe. The heat pipes are

Petition 870190102813, of 11/10/2019, p. 55/76

6/21 stainless steel or copper.

[013] A refrigerated container that can hold a product pallet would be useful for transporting and storing perishable products. It would preferably be carbon dioxide or another refrigerant that has not been added to the storage compartment (also sometimes referred to here as the “loading chamber”), either directly or indirectly. Carbon dioxide displaces oxygen and it in high concentrations can suffocate a person. Discharging carbon dioxide vapor directly into the cargo space compromises temperature control and, due to its suspension, compromises the structural elements of the cargo unit. In addition, the expansion effect caused by the phase change requires that significant volumes of cryogenic substance vapor be vented into the atmosphere, which increases operating costs by increasing the amount of cryogenic substance required. It would be more preferable if he had a passive heat transfer system without the requirement for forced convection. It would be even more advantageous if the system could deliver and store cargo at various selected and controlled temperatures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[014] This document describes a refrigerated system and container for transporting and storing perishable products. In one embodiment, the refrigerated container is sized to hold a product pallet. Carbon dioxide is not added or released into the storage compartment, either directly or indirectly. The system has a passive heat transfer system without the need for forced convection. The system can be configured to allow the release and storage of cargo at various selected and controlled temperatures.

[015] In one embodiment, a passive cooling box for controlled cooling of a product is provided, the cooling box comprising

Petition 870190102813, of 11/10/2019, p. 56/76

7/21 an external box, the external box including an external insulation layer; an inner box, the inner box including an inner insulation layer, and a thermal shield on the outside of the inner insulation layer, the inner box and the outer box defining a vapor channel between them; a thermal link, the thermal link including the thermal layer and a plurality of heat pipes or thermosyphons, the thermal layer and a top section of the inner box defining a refrigerant chamber, the refrigerant chamber including a chamber access of refrigerant, and the refrigerant chamber in communication with the vapor channel, and the thermal layer and a bottom section of the inner box defining a cargo chamber, the cargo chamber including a loading chamber access, each tube of heat or thermosiphon having a condenser section disposed in the refrigerant chamber and an evaporator section disposed in the loading chamber and extending through the thermal chamber.

[016] The passive cooling box may also comprise a mesh driver below the heat pipes or thermosyphons. The passive cooling box may further comprise an outer skin in the outer insulation layer and an inner lining in the inner insulation layer. In the passive cooling box, the thermal protection can be an aluminum protection. In the passive cooling box, a coolant chamber access may include an outer cover and an inner cover. In the passive cooling box, the inner cover can be seated on a step in the inner box. The passive cooling box may also comprise a joint between the inner cover and the step. In the passive cooling box, the heat tubes can be solder-free heat tubes.

[017] In the passive cooling box, the heat pipes can include a working fluid, the working fluid being one between pentane, propylene, acetone and methanol. In the passive cooling box, the thermal link can be a reconfigurable thermal link. The passive cooling box may further comprise a valve

Petition 870190102813, of 11/10/2019, p. 57/76

8/21 back pressure on the outer cover.

[018] Also described in this document, there is a passive cooling system for the refrigeration industry, the system including a box and a solid refrigerant, the box comprising an outer box, the outer box including an external insulation layer; an inner box, the inner box including an inner insulation layer, and a thermal shield on the outside of the inner insulation layer, the inner box and the outer box defining a vapor channel between them; a thermal link, the thermal link including the thermal layer and a plurality of heat pipes or a plurality of thermosiphons, the thermal layer and a top of the inner box defining a refrigerant chamber, the refrigerant chamber including an access port refrigerant chamber, and the refrigerant chamber in communication with the vapor channel, and the thermal layer and a bottom of the inner box defining a cargo chamber, the cargo chamber including a loading chamber access, each tube heat or thermosiphon having a condenser section arranged in the refrigerant chamber and an evaporator section arranged in the charge chamber and extending through the thermal chamber, and the solid refrigerant is solid carbon dioxide.

[019] In the system, the thermal link can be a reconfigurable thermal link. In the system, the thermal link comprises a plurality of heat pipes. In the system, the heat pipes can be solder-free heat pipes. In the system, the heat pipes can include a working fluid, the working fluid being one between pentane, propylene, acetone and methanol. In the system, the thermal protection can be an aluminum protection.

[020] Also described in this document, there is a passive cooling box for controlled cooling of a product, the cooling box comprising a bottom, four sides affixed to the bottom, an inner cover and a

Petition 870190102813, of 11/10/2019, p. 58/76

9/21 outer cover, the sides including an outer insulation layer and an inner insulation layer, the inner and outer layers and caps defining a steam channel between them, an aluminum shield adjacent to the steam channel and adjacent to a outer side of the inner insulation layer and a top of the inner cover, a thermal layer, the thermal layer arranged below the inner cover and between the inner insulation layer to define a coolant chamber, the coolant chamber for agent retention refrigerant, a charge chamber, the charge chamber defined by the internal insulation, and the thermal layer, and a plurality of heat pipes or a plurality of thermosyphons, each heat pipe or thermosyphon having a condenser section arranged in the agent chamber refrigerant and an evaporator section arranged in the load chamber and extending through the thermal chamber.

[021] Also described in this document, there is a method of passively cooling a load, using the refrigeration box described above, the method comprising loading the load in the loading chamber and loading the refrigerant chamber with a solid refrigerant.

[022] The method can also comprise configuring the thermal link to regulate the load temperature. In the method, the solid refrigerant may be solid carbon dioxide (or "dry ice").

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[023] Embodiments of the present invention are described below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[024] Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a heat pipe in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

[025] Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an end cap and tube end of the heat tube of Figure 1.

[026] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the cooling box

Petition 870190102813, of 11/10/2019, p. 59/76

10/21 passive in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

[027] Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the passive cooling box in Figure 3.

[028] Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a passive cooling box.

[029] Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a passive cooling box.

[030] Figure 7A illustrates the operation of a reconfigurable thermal link in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

[031] Figure 7B illustrates the operation of a reconfigurable thermal link in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION

[032] The present invention will now be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the attached drawing (s), which form part of it, and which show, by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments by which the invention can be reproduced. The invention, however, can be embodied in many different ways and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments expressed in this document; otherwise, these embodiments are provided so that this description will be thorough and complete, and will completely convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description, therefore, should not be considered in a limiting sense.

[033] Unless otherwise expressly provided, the following rules of interpretation apply to this report (written report, written claims and drawings): (a) all words in this document will be interpreted to be of such genre or number (singular or plural) as circumstances require; (b) the terms in the singular “one”, “one”, and “o” “a” as used in the report and attached claims include plural references, unless the context clearly

Petition 870190102813, of 11/10/2019, p. 60/76

11/21 indicate the opposite; (c) the antecedent term "approximately" applied to a recited range or value denotes an approximation within the deviation in the range or value known or expected in the technique from the measurement method; (d) the words "in this document", "in this act", "the same," the same "," previously ", and" hereinafter ", and words of similar import, refer to this report in its entirety and not to any particular paragraph, claim or other subdivision, unless otherwise specified; (e) descriptive headings are for convenience purposes only and should not control or affect the meaning or interpretation of any part of the report; and (f) "or" and "any" are not exclusive and "include" and "including" are not limiting. Furthermore, the terms comprising, having, including, and “containing” are to be interpreted as open terms (ie, meaning including, but not limited to,) unless otherwise noted.

[034] As far as it is necessary to provide descriptive support, the matter and / or text of the attached claims is materialized in this document by reference in its entirety.

[035] The recitation of ranges of values in this document is simply intended to serve as a simplification method of referring individually to each separate value that falls within the range, unless otherwise indicated in this document, and each separate value is incorporated into the report as if it were recited individually in it. Where a specific range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other declared or intervening value in that range. declared range, is included in this document. All smaller sub-bands are also included. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges are also included in them, subject to any limit excluded specifically in the declared range.

[036] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms

Petition 870190102813, of 11/10/2019, p. 61/76

12/21 used in this document have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person skilled in the relevant technique. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described in this document can be used, acceptable methods and materials are described now.

DEFINITIONS

[037] Heat pipe - In the context of the present invention, a heat pipe consists of a sealed pipe that non-reliably retains a working fluid. A capillary is present in the tube hole. (In essence, a heat pipe is a heat transfer device that combines the principles of both thermal conductivity and phase transition to effectively transfer heat between two solid interfaces. At the hot interface of a heat pipe, a liquid in contact with a thermally conductive solid surface turns into a vapor by absorbing heat from that surface. The vapor then travels along the heat pipe to the cold interface and condenses again into a liquid - releasing latent heat. then it returns to the hot interface through capillary action (capillarity), and the cycle repeats itself Due to the very high heat transfer coefficients for boiling and condensation, heat pipes are generally highly effective as heat transfer devices. )

[038] Thermosiphon - In the context of the present invention, a thermosiphon is similar in components and construction to a heat pipe, except that it contains a greater amount of working fluid and it does not contain a capillary structure. It non-reliably retains a working fluid.

[039] Solder-free heat pipe - in the context of the present invention, a solder-free heat pipe is one that has burr end caps and burrs inside the heat pipe tube near the ends. The end caps and the tube are snapped together.

Petition 870190102813, of 11/10/2019, p. 62/76

13/21

[040] Brazed and solder-free heat pipe - in the context of the present invention, a copper heat pipe is brazed to close the end caps to the pipe.

[041] Brazed and solder-free thermosiphon - in the context of the present invention, a thermosiphon is brazed to close the end caps to the tube.

[042] Working fluid - in the context of the present invention, a working fluid is one that is present in a saturated liquid phase and in a vapor phase in the heat pipe. The liquid is evaporated to a vapor in the evaporator region of the heat pipe, and the vapor is condensed into a liquid in the condenser region of the heat pipe. For the present purposes, any of pentane, propylene, acetone and methanol, are good candidates to be used as the working fluid; other refrigerants that are also suitable for use as a working fluid will be apparent to a person skilled in the art.

[043] Capillary - in the context of the present invention, a capillary is a material that surrounds the hole in the heat pipe and exerts a capillary action on the liquid phase of the working fluid.

[044] Thermal link - in the context of the present invention, a thermal link is an interface for the management of heat flow (thermal energy flow). The design and material used determine the thermal conduction of the thermal link. The thermal bond includes the heat pipes and an insulating or conductive layer (the thermal layer).

[045] Reconfigurable thermal link - in the context of the present invention, a reconfigurable thermal link refers to a thermal link that can be changed to change or optimize the thermal conductivity for a given order (temperature requirement).

[046] Solid refrigerant - in the context of the present invention, loading a refrigerant chamber with a solid refrigerant means that a solid refrigerant is added, or a liquid refrigerant is injected, which then changes the phase of a liquid for a solid refrigerant.

Petition 870190102813, of 11/10/2019, p. 63/76

14/21

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[047] A heat pipe in general referred to by reference numeral 8 is shown in Figure 1. It is a pipe 10 that has a first end 12, with a first end cap 14, and a second end 16, with a second end end cap 18. The second end cap 18 has a filling tube 20 extending therefrom. A hole 22 extends from the first end cap 14 to the second end cap 18. The filling tube 20 has a crimp end 24 distal to the second end cap 18 and a filling tube hole 26. The second cap end piece 18 has a central opening 28. The wall 30 of the central opening 28 has a step 32 on which the proximal end 32 of the filling tube 20 is seated. A weld bead 34 fixes the filler tube 20 to the second end cap 18. In Figure 1, the crimp end 24 is crimped after the working fluid has been added to the tube. A weld bead 40 seals the crimped end 24. Heat pipe 8 has a capillary 42 in hole 22.

[048] As shown in Figure 2, and using the second end cap as an example, the first end 12 and second end 16 and end cap 14, 18 are burr 50, with end cap 14, 18 preferably the male coupling member 52 and the ends 12, 16 being the female coupling member 54 and also having burrs 56. An O-ring 60 is sealed in the coupling pair. This provides a solder-free heat pipe.

[049] As noted above, the heat pipe or thermosiphon (as the case may be), can be solder free and closed brazed.

[050] A passive cooling box, generally referred to by reference numeral 80 is shown in Figure 3. Cooling box 80 provides passive cooling through the use of heat tubes 8 (to facilitate illustration, only a single row of heat pipes is shown in Figure 3, although it should be

Petition 870190102813, of 11/10/2019, p. 64/76

15/21 understood that additional rows of heat pipes or a group of heat pipes could be used preferably 82. The outer box 81 includes a bottom 84 affixed to the four walls 86, and an outer cover 88. The box is preferably constructed to provide sufficient strength and support for the load and to be moved using a forklift. An external skin 90 of aluminum or steel or plastic is optionally supported by a metal frame 92 on the bottom 84 and on the four walls 86. An external insulation layer 84 surrounds the interior 96 of the skin 90 and the frame 92. The thermal insulation 94 it is preferably a closed cell, extruded or expanded polystyrene or the like, and may include vacuum insulated panel insulation. The bottom 84 includes slots 97 for accepting the forks of a forklift.

[051] An inner box 98 includes four inner walls 100, an inner bottom 102, and an inner lid 104. An inner insulation layer 110 surrounds the inner lining 112 of the walls 100 and the skin 114 of the inner lid 104. The inner insulation 110 is preferably a closed cell, extruded or expanded polystyrene or the like (including insulation by vacuum insulation panel). The inner lining 112 and the skin 114 are aluminum or plastic. The inner liner 112 includes separators 116 that extend a short distance to the loading chamber 150 to ensure that an air gap is maintained between the inner liner 112 and the load. The outer cover 88 is preferably constructed similarly to a skin that is aluminum or plastic, and provided with insulation that is preferably a closed cell, extruded or expanded polystyrene or the like (including insulation by vacuum insulation panel).

[052] Next to the upper surface 118 of the insulation 110 of the inner cover 104 and the outer surface 120 of the internal insulation 100 is a thermal protection 122 which in the preferred embodiment is an aluminum protection 122. The aluminum protection 122 and both the outer insulation layers 94 on the walls 86 and the outer cover 88 define a space referred to as vapor channel 124.

Petition 870190102813, of 11/10/2019, p. 65/76

16/21

Thermal protection 122 helps to manage heat leaks and keep the temperature of the space cold. It also increases the cooling time of a load from its initial highest temperature to a constant state while assuming less solid refrigerant / dry ice.

[053] As shown in Figure 4, the inner lid 104 is located on a step 126 in the inner liner 112. A gasket 128 fits between the inner lid 104 and the step 126 in the inner liner 112. The steam channel 124 it may be sealed from the environment and, optionally, from the refrigerant chamber 140. Although not shown expressly in Figure 3, in one embodiment, the vapor channel 124 may be in communication with the refrigerant chamber 140, such that the steam channel 124 also serves to circulate the sublimated or evaporated refrigerant from the refrigerant chamber 140; in this way, the sublimated or evaporated cold vapor (as the case may be, depending on the refrigerant used) the refrigerant can also be used to help cool the loading chamber. Also optionally, a back pressure valve 125 mounted on the outer cover 88 can be provided, so that a small overpressure can be maintained inside the steam channel 124. This prevents the ingress of external moist air when the refrigerant / dry ice charge is reduced. Furthermore, the back pressure valve 125 can also serve to prevent the development of excess refrigerant (evaporated or sublimated) in the steam channel 124. As such, the back pressure valve 125 can simply be a one-way valve, that is, it allows that steam is escaped out into the environment, but prevents air from the environment from entering steam channel 124. A refrigerant 142, which is preferably solid carbon dioxide, is charged and retained in the refrigerant chamber 140. Once closed, the refrigerant chamber 140 does not communicate with the environment. The refrigerant chamber 140 has a plurality of heat pipes 8 extending into the loading chamber

Petition 870190102813, of 11/10/2019, p. 66/76

17/21

150 through a base 143 of the refrigerant chamber 140. The base 143 and the heat tubes 8 form a reconfigurable thermal link 144. The reconfigurable thermal link 144 (as described in more detail below) can also allow customization and optimization of transfer of thermal energy between the refrigerant 142 in the refrigerant chamber 140 and the charge chamber 150. The refrigerant chamber 140 is in a top section 146 of the inner box 98. The charge chamber 150 is in a bottom section 148 of the inner box 98.

[054] The construction of heat tubes 8 assists in providing this customization. The portion of the heat pipes 8 extending into the refrigerant chamber 140 includes the condenser section 152. Below the base 143 and the inner lining 112 is the loading chamber 150. The portion of the heat pipes 8 extending for the load chamber 150 includes the evaporator section 156. A mesh driver 160 protects the heat pipes 8 from damage if the load in the load chamber 150 moves. The mesh can be made of aluminum, steel or plastic and works additionally to ensure sufficient space for air circulation. The mesh driver 160 extends through the loading chamber 150 in the vicinity of the top 162 of the loading chamber 150. The loading chamber 150 is an enclosed space.

[055] An internal door 170 and an external door 172 can be constructed in the same way and with the same materials as the covers 88,104. These ports do not obstruct the steam channel 124. At least one temperature sensor 176 can be located in the loading chamber 150 and is in electronic communication with a monitor 176 that is remote to the cooling box 80 or is on an external surface 178 of the cooling box 80.

[056] In one embodiment, the cooling box 80 is sized to accept a product pallet load. The cargo is placed in a cool box and then the cool box can be moved in and out of a storage facility or a truck for transport. Different boxes

Petition 870190102813, of 11/10/2019, p. 67/76

18/21 refrigeration systems operating at different temperatures can be placed side by side and can be shipped together or independently from other refrigeration boxes on the truck. This increases the flexibility in the truck load to be dispatched, allows optimization of the storage conditions for the product, and reduces energy consumption and the associated pollution caused by the operation of a generator to cool a truck load.

[057] In an alternative embodiment, a side access allows the refrigerant chamber 140 to be slid and charged / discharged with solid refrigerant 142, or simply accessed from the side and discharged.

[058] In another embodiment, shown in Figure 5, the passive cooling box 80 of Figures 3 and 4 further includes a liquid injection port 180 and a distribution manifold 182 in the refrigerant chamber 140 for the addition of carbon dioxide. liquid carbon. This liquid carbon dioxide protrudes into the snow of solid carbon dioxide (solid coolant 142), hence loading the coolant chamber with solid coolant 142. In one embodiment, such a charge supply of liquid carbon dioxide can be supplied / stored in the passive cooling box 80 for ready use.

[059] In another embodiment, shown in Figure 6, the cooling box is sized to fit as a single unit in an ISO 200 container, hence it is slightly smaller than the internal dimensions of an ISO 200 container. load 150 has a loading chamber access 202 which can comprise an internal port 204 and an external port 206. A refrigerant chamber access 208 can be through the covers or an access 208 on the side, as shown in Figure 6. A construction and relationship between the doors is the same as that of the covers - there is a thermal protection 206 on the external side 208 of the internal door 202 and the steam channel 210 has an unobstructed path between the doors 202, 204.

[060] In another embodiment, the cooling box is a container for

Petition 870190102813, of 11/10/2019, p. 68/76

19/21 transport on a trailer or flatbed. It can again be configured with ports and is as described and shown in Figure 6.

[061] In another embodiment, cooling box 80 is a trailer. It can again be configured with ports and is as described and shown in Figure 6.

[062] In yet another embodiment, the heat pipes in the cooling box or system are replaced by thermosyphons.

[063] An embodiment of a reconfigurable thermal link (mentioned above by reference numeral 144) is illustrated in Figures 7A and 7B (and in general referenced in this document by reference numeral 249). The function of the reconfigurable thermal link 249 is to modulate the thermal resistance along a specific thermal conductive path linking a relatively hot region to a relatively cooler region. By physically adjusting the internal element (s) of the reconfigurable thermal link the thermal resistance of the thermally conductive path mentioned above can be changed to effect a change in the rate at which the heat energy is transferred from the relatively hot region to the relatively cooler region.

[064] When the reconfigurable thermal link 249 is placed in the thermal path between the loading chamber 150 (relatively hot region) and the cooling agent chamber 140 (relatively cooler region), the transfer rate and heat can be modulated to the point that some degree of charge chamber temperature control can be achieved. In one embodiment, the reconfigurable thermal link 249 can be placed at the condenser end of the heat pipe or thermosiphon arrangement (relatively hot region) and in the even cooler coolant chamber 140, to effect control over the heat transfer rate. reached between the relatively warmest region and the relatively coldest region.

[065] Figure 7A shows a relatively hotter region 250, a relatively cooler region 251 and a heat transfer path 252. The thermal link

Petition 870190102813, of 11/10/2019, p. 69/76

Reconfigurable 20/21 consists of a thermally conductive housing 253 which is divided into two parts by a thermally insulating housing barrier 254. Together the thermally conductive housing elements 253 and the thermally insulating housing barrier 254, consisting of the entire housing 258 Within the housing 258 there is a cavity 255 that is partially occupied by a moving element 259. A portion of the moving element 259 consists of a thermally conductive end 256 and a thermally insulating end 257. The moving element 259 is capable of being moved by the entire width of the internal cavity 255.

[066] Figure 7A shows the moving element 259 in an internal position through which the thermally resistive path from the relatively hot location 250 to the coldest location 251 is minimized. Heat travels through the thermally conductive housing 253 through the thermally conductive portion of the inner movable element 256, through the thermally conductive housing 253 and finally out of the relatively cooler region ahead 251. At each stage of this thermal path, heat can move through thermally conductive materials, thus lowering the total thermal resistance of this path.

[067] Figure 7B shows a perspective view of the reconfigurable thermal link 249 with the internal movable element 259 displaced in such a way as to produce a great thermal resistance preventing heat transfer from the relatively hot location 250 to the relatively cooler region 251. In this configuration , the heat transfer pathway is substantially blocked by the double insulating materials present in the inner movable element 257 and the insulated housing segment 254. The thermal resistance of both potential heat transfer pathways is very high as a result of the thermally insulating materials that now occupy the potential heat transfer path (s) 252.

[068] The movable internal thermal element 259 can be modified to change

Petition 870190102813, of 11/10/2019, p. 70/76

21/21 position by various means. Some of these means are passive with respect to the fact that they do not use any electrical energy to operate, while other motivating mechanisms may use non-passive methods.

[069] Although the example embodiments have been described with respect to what is currently considered to be an example of a possible more practical and / or suitable embodiment, it is to be understood that the descriptions should not be limited to the described embodiments, on the contrary, they are intended to cover various modifications and equivalent provisions included within the spirit and scope of the example embodiment. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to verify using, no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to these specific example embodiments described in these documents. These equivalents are intended to be covered by the scope of the claims, whether attached to this document or subsequently deposited.

Claims (22)

1. A passive cooling box for controlled cooling of a product, the cooling box FEATURED for comprising: an external box, the external box including an external insulation layer; an inner box, the inner box including an inner insulation layer, and a thermal shield on the outside of the inner insulation layer, the inner box and the outer box defining a vapor channel between them; and a thermal link, the thermal link including the thermal layer and a plurality of heat pipes or a plurality of thermosyphons, the thermal layer and a top section of the inner box defining a refrigerant chamber, the refrigerant chamber including a refrigerant chamber access, and the refrigerant chamber in communication with the vapor channel, and the thermal layer and a bottom section of the inner box defining a cargo chamber, the cargo chamber including a cargo chamber access , each heat pipe or thermosiphon having a condenser section arranged in the refrigerant chamber and an evaporator section arranged in the loading chamber and extending through the thermal chamber. 2. The passive cooling box according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by further comprising a meshed driver under the heat pipes or thermosyphons. The passive cooling box according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by further comprising an external skin on the external insulation and an internal coating on the internal insulation. Passive cooling system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the thermal link includes a plurality of heat pipes. Petition 870190102813, of 11/10/2019, p. 72/76 2/4 5. The passive cooling box according to any one of claims 1 to 4, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the thermal protection is an aluminum protection. The passive cooling box according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact that a coolant chamber access includes an outer cover and an inner cover. 7. The passive cooling box according to claim 6, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the inner cover is seated on a step in the inner box. The passive cooling box according to any one of claims 1 to 7, CHARACTERIZED in that it also comprises a joint between the inner cover and the step. 9. The passive cooling box according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the heat pipes are solder-free heat pipes. 10. The passive cooling box according to claim 9, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the heat pipes include a working fluid, the working fluid selected from the group consisting of acetone, methanol, pentane and propylene. The passive cooling box according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the thermal link is a reconfigurable thermal link. The passive cooling box according to any one of claims 6 to 11, CHARACTERIZED by further comprising a back pressure valve on the outer cover, wherein the back pressure valve is in communication with the steam channel. 13. A passive cooling system for the refrigeration industry, the system FEATURED for including a box and a solid refrigerant, the box Petition 870190102813, of 11/10/2019, p. 73/76 3/4 comprising an outer case, the outer case including an outer insulation layer; an inner box, the inner box including an inner insulation layer, and a thermal shield on the outside of the inner insulation layer, the inner box and the outer box defining a vapor channel between them; a thermal link, the thermal link including the thermal layer and a plurality of heat pipes or a plurality of thermosiphons, the thermal layer and a top of the inner box defining a refrigerant chamber, the refrigerant chamber including an access port refrigerant chamber, and the refrigerant chamber in communication with the vapor channel, and the thermal layer and a bottom of the inner box defining a cargo chamber, the cargo chamber including a loading chamber access, each tube heat or thermosiphon having a condenser section arranged in the refrigerant chamber and an evaporator section arranged in the charge chamber and extending through the thermal chamber, and the solid refrigerant is solid carbon dioxide. 14.0 system according to claim 13, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the thermal link is a reconfigurable thermal link. 15.0 system according to claim 13 or 14, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the thermal link includes a plurality of heat pipes. 16.0 system according to any one of claims 13 to 15, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the heat pipes are solder-free heat pipes. 17.0 system according to claim 16, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the heat pipes include a working fluid, the working fluid selected from the group consisting of acetone, methanol, pentane and propylene. 18.0 system according to any one of claims 13 to 17, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the thermal protection is an aluminum protection. Petition 870190102813, of 11/10/2019, p. 74/76 4/4 19. A passive cooling box for controlled cooling of a product, the cooling box FEATURED for comprising a bottom, four sides attached to the bottom, an inner cover and an outer cover, the sides including an external insulation layer and a layer of internal insulation, the layers and the inner and outer covers defining a steam channel between them, an aluminum shield adjacent to the steam channel and contiguous to an outer side of the inner insulation layer and a top of the inner cover, a thermal layer, the thermal layer disposed below the inner cover and between the internal insulation layer to define a refrigerant chamber, the refrigerant chamber for retaining refrigerant and in communication with the vapor channel, and a loading chamber, the chamber load defined by the internal insulation layer and the thermal layer, and a plurality of heat pipes, each heat pipe having a condenser section disposed in the coolant chamber and an evaporator section arranged in the loading chamber and extending through the thermal chamber. 20. A method of passively cooling a load, using the refrigeration box according to claim 1, the method CHARACTERIZED by comprising loading the load in the loading chamber and loading the refrigerant chamber with a solid refrigerant. 21.0 method according to claim 20, CHARACTERIZED by further comprising configuring the thermal link to regulate the temperature of the load. 22.0 method according to claims 20 or 21, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the solid refrigerant is solid carbon dioxide