DE60013908T2 - CONTAINER FOR SENSITIVE FREIGHT - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a container with a height exceeding the normal container heights for air-freight. The increased ceiling height is provided in a central part (22) of the container, while portions (24, 26, 28) with reduced height is provided at least along one of the side walls (12, 14) and one of the end walls (16, 18), extending along the entire wall length. The container is made by a framework of profiles connected by thermally insulated panels. The profiles are preferably produced in two major metallic parts, interconnected by polymer connection profiles. The container is sealed for obtaining clean room conditions during transportation. A control compartment (44) is provided at one end of the container. A blow out panel (48) is provided at the wall separating the cargo compartment (50) from the control compartment (48).

Description

The The present invention relates generally to freight containers and in particular air cargo containers or other LEs (loading units), the transport of sensitive cargo is equipped.

BACKGROUND

In the prior art LE are equipped with temperature control devices, for example; see eg DE 37 09 247 A or DE 16 01 899 A , For high demands on temperature, humidity, cleanliness, volume and load bearing cargo, however, there are currently no satisfactory solutions.

Some Goods to be transported by air freight may be extremely clean usually Called clean room conditions. The number of particles in the air, the atmospheric composition etc. must be carefully monitored. A container for transporting such goods must therefore be carefully sealed to maintain the pure conditions in the interior. No exchange air between the inside and the outside of the container is allowed. This subjects the container design to a variety of limitations. When transporting a container in an aircraft, the container must extremely fast to open be a sudden if Pressure loss during of the flight occurs to prevent the container from exploding. Provisions stipulate that the container can be evacuated within 0.2 seconds have to be. In containers with an approved airflow in and From the container can be a double-headed valve for this Purpose be provided. For containers with clean room conditions in Inside is one such solution completely the question. Forced air premier Airfreight containers are from WO91 / 07337A, WO93 / 22223A and WO97 / 12195A known.

SUMMARY

One The general aim of the present invention is therefore the provision one for Airfreight suitable containers with improved possibilities for transportation sensitive goods. An intention of the present invention is to provide a Airfreight container providing clean room conditions for the cargo hold. One Another object of the present invention is the provision an air cargo container with improved characteristics thermal insulation. Another object of the present invention is providing one for high Point loads specific air cargo container. Yet another goal The present invention provides an air cargo container with an elevated approved freight volume.

The The above objects are achieved by a container according to the appended claims. In general terms, the container is sealed to clean room conditions while to get the transport. A control room for controlling the temperature and humidity control is provided at one end of the container. A blow-out plate is at the wall separating the cargo space from the control room intended. In a further preferred embodiment, a container with a normal heights exceeding air freight containers Height provided. The increased ceiling height is provided in a central area of the container, sloping in the direction of the longitudinal edges, along the entire longitudinal edge extend. At least one of the short sides represents a cutout area which extends along the entire length of the short side, to facilitate loading into an aircraft. The container is from a frame by thermally insulating plates with each other built connected profiles. The profiles are preferably in two big ones made of metallic parts joined by polymeric compound profiles Thermal bridges too interrupt. Furthermore, the base of the container is preferably from an inner base a plate formed by two by vertical plates with each other connected parallel sheets, attached to an outer a base made of profiles. On the bottom side of the inner base area secured fasteners are for secure attachment of Point loads provided.

SHORT DESCRIPTION THE DRAWINGS

The Invention, together with other objectives and advantages of this, like will be best understood by reference to the following description together with the attached Drawings in which

1 a schematic drawing of an embodiment of a container according to the invention;

2a - c transverse cross sections of a container according to the present invention;

3a . 3b Are longitudinal cross sections of a container according to the present invention;

4a Figure 3 is a cross section of a structural profile which may be used as the door frame of a container according to the present invention;

4b is a cross-section of a construction profile that is in a corner of a container according to can be used in the present invention;

5 a schematic drawing of a base member of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

6a . 6b Details of the drawings in 5 are.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

charging unit (LE) is a generic term that covers different types of containers for air freight. Consequently the use of the term LE implies the intended use the unit for Air freight and the associated requirements and problems.

1 shows an embodiment of the present invention. An air freight container, generally with 1 denotes a base area 10 , Side walls 5 . 14 , End walls 16 . 18 and a roof 20 , The walls 12 - 18 and the roof 20 are typically constructed by thermally insulating panels connected by profiles. The profiles are usually in every corner of the container 1 but may also be used elsewhere where there is a need for structural reinforcement.

Of the Container of the present embodiment is intended primarily for use as an air cargo container. Naturally As such, the structure can also be used as a land or sea freight container be used. However, the core invention solves problems in the context with air freight and thus the appended claims are only to containers for use directed at airfreight. For Land and sea transport is the container with lifting and fastening means according to the relevant regulations Mistake. The lifting means are e.g. provided at a certain position and the latitude and longitude of the container also complies with relevant standards. For air freight containers exist other to be fulfilled Rules that normally dictate a maximum height of the container. The standards have some limitations in terms of Shape and size of the container The same applies to the dimensions of the aircraft. An air freight container is e.g. typically not higher than about 9 ft. (2.8 m) to fit in one of two positions in one Upper deck cargo space of a Boeing 747 freighter to fit. However, they are in certain cases size Freight units desired transported by air transport to become. When the height the freight unit the available inner dimensions of a container exceeds the airfreight container requirements the unit should be dismantled before transport.

According to the present invention, the usable height of an air cargo container 1 be increased, at least for part of the loading area. In an aircraft, the height limits are determined by the rounded shape of the cargo hold. Since there are normally two positions in the hold, the boundaries are actually present only on one side of the container, as the roof of the cargo hold rises towards the center. Because the container ceiling is higher than normal, but the height in the direction of one of the side walls 12 . 14 falls down to reach the cargo hold dimensions, the container is able 1 nevertheless to be loaded eg in a Boing 747 freighter. The area of the roof 20 with reduced height 24 . 26 may be present only on the sides, which are arranged against the wall of the aircraft hold, but in order to have the possibility of the container 1 Positioning in any position in the hold is the area of reduced height 24 . 26 preferably present on both sides of the container. The area of reduced height 24 . 26 however, it always extends along the entire length of the container. The central part 22 The container thus has a ceiling height which can be much higher than that of conventional containers.

When loading an ordinary container into eg a Boeing 747 freighter, one of the end walls penetrates through an opening in the cargo compartment. The container end is arranged until it reaches a stop means of a transport system within the hold. The container is then normally rotated slowly along the aircraft direction while it is being brought to its final position. The position of these stop means is normally adapted to normal height containers, which means that a container of increased height can collide with the roof in the inner area of the cargo hold. This collision problem can be prevented by also reducing the height 28 in the area near one of the end walls, preferably opposite the entrance doors of the container. The area of reduced height 28 always extends along the entire width of the container. Preferably, this height reduction 28 provided in the direction of the front door only on one side. The height reduction 28 can be present on both sides, but then a door height is given that is smaller than the maximum height within the container or gives the doors a complex design. After loading the container 1 according to the present invention in an aircraft is at a height-reduced area 28 adjacent end wall 18 taken up first by the cargo hold, and this bulkhead 18 is able to reach the stop means without colliding with the roof of the aircraft.

The areas with reduced height 24 . 26 . 28 can be designed in various ways. In the embodiment according to 1 the area is divided into three parts, two side parts 24 . 26 comprising inclined flat plates between the horizontal maximum height section 22 and the side walls 12 . 14 , and a front part, which a section 28 in the roof 20 provides. Other versions are also possible. 2a - c represent the transverse section profile (taken along a line as indicated by line 2-2 in FIG 1 shown) of a variety of embodiments according to the present invention. In 2a is a side with a sloping plane 30 while the other side is at full height 22 having. Such a container can normally only be loaded into a specific side of an aircraft. In 2 B are both sides with cutouts 32 . 34 provided a rectangular center volume 22 leave something. In 2c the sides of the roof are rounded, creating a generally arched roof 36 is created. In the same way, the end part 28 the area of reduced height may be formed in different shapes. A few embodiments are as longitudinal cross sections of a container in 3a and 3b (taken along a line as shown by line 3-3 in FIG 1 ) Shown. In 3a are both ends of the container with a roof opening 38 . 40 Mistake. In 3b only one of the ends has an area of reduced height, including a flat bevelled portion 42 , As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, many possible variations and modifications exist, all of which are the basic idea of a reduced roof height near at least one of the sidewalls 12 . 14 and at least one of the end walls 16 . 18 consequences. However, an important feature is that the reduced roof height extends along the entire width or length of the container to provide the intended collision-preventing effect.

In many cases, they require a container 1 transported goods a certain temperature. The container may be equipped with heating and / or cooling devices. For large containers, the heat content of the transported goods is usually quite large and the temperature can often be within an allowable temperature range simply by providing very good thermal insulation of the container 1 being held. The container 1 according to 1 is constructed by interconnected by profiles thermally insulating plates. The heat conduction through the plates is very low and the main heat transport through the container walls usually takes place through the profiles, which are typically made of aluminum.

In 4a an alternative profile construction is shown, which provides a greatly improved thermal insulation. The profile arrangement comprises an outer metallic profile section 62 and an inner metallic profile section 60 , These metallic profile sections 60 . 62 are preferably made of aluminum. The outer profile section 62 and the inner profile section 60 are through a variety of distance profiles 70 interconnected, which are made of a heat insulating material, preferably polymer material. The distance profiles 70 keep the outer and inner profile sections 60 . 62 separated to interrupt any heat transfer bridges through the wall. The inner profile section 60 includes an inner retaining projection 76 and the outer profile section 62 includes an outer retaining projection 78 , The insulating plates are located between these retaining projections and are attached thereto. The insulating panels usually consist of an outer polymer surface 66 and an inner polymer surface 68 , between which an insulating material 64 is arranged.

The profiles 60 . 62 . 70 serve as stiffness and payload means providing components of the container 1 , In certain cases, aluminum profiles may be too weak, especially near eg doors. The profiles are then preferably designed such that they cavities 72 form, closed or open, can be introduced into the structural strength-enhancing elements, such as steel beams. The profile may also preferably be shaped to provide a stationary portion of a hinge for the container doors. The entire hinge can then be easily folded into the container wall without requiring space outside the surface of the wall. This reduces the risk of damage to such elements. The outer profile section may also preferably have a sealing surface 73 be provided against which the door seal is arranged with the door closed. The sealing surface 73 is preferably inclined with a larger dimension on the inside than on the outside. A closed container 1 , in which there is a lower pressure than in the environment, is difficult to open, unless the pressure difference is eliminated. The inclined surface 73 makes it easier to open a door, as it allows an air passage almost immediately upon opening the door.

The profiles can also be used in ordinary corners without door arrangements. Such a profile arrangement is schematically shown in FIG 4b shown. Here are both metal profile sections 60 . 62 retaining projections 76 . 78 in two directions, suitable for connecting two wall or roof panels 64 - 68 , As will be apparent to anyone of ordinary skill in the art the effective design of the profiles adapted to the requirements, with which many modifications and variations are possible.

As describe above offer known from the prior art air cargo container no satisfactory solutions concerning emergency evacuation of the containers. A container for transport more sensitive Goods must thus carefully be sealed in order to maintain the clean conditions inside. There is no exchange of air between the inside and the outside of the air Container. When transporting a container in an airplane the container must be extremely fast to open, if a sudden Pressure drop during the Flight occurs to prevent an exploding of the container. Such explosions can not just the container and its contents, but also neighboring ones Containers and facilities as well as the crew damage. Serious explosions of this kind can even causal for one Plane crash. Legal regulations state that it possible must be to evacuate the container within 0.2 seconds.

The container in 1 is intended for use in clean room conditions. At one end of the container 1 is a separate control room 44 intended. In the control room 44 Devices are used to regulate the temperature and humidity of the cargo hold 50 of the container 1 (not shown in the figure for the sake of clarity). The air conditioners may include, for example, a heat, a cooling or a humidity control device. In addition, these components can be driven either by an electric motor or a diesel engine, depending on the available electrical connections. During the flight the engines have to be switched off due to safety regulations. The control room 44 is from the cargo hold 50 through a partition 46 separated. A blow-out plate 48 is located in the partition 46 , In an emergency situation, the pressure drop quickly becomes the control room 44 evacuate, which is connected via large ventilation openings with the outside. The pressure difference between the cargo hold 50 and the control room 44 will be the same as the pressure difference beyond any other of the walls of the cargo hold 50 , The inflatable plate 48 is arranged to be triggered at a certain pressure difference and the air of the container is simply evacuated through the control room 44 ,

If a trigger takes place, the plate is pushed out into the control room. Here you can air conditioners destroyed However, this is a reasonable loss to the entire aircraft to secure. The excess pressure in the container will flow into the control room, off which one of these just over its big one vents is evacuated. A total evacuation time of 0.2 seconds can be achieved in this way. In other words, being a controlled one Explosion of the container caused. The explosion or tripping of the blow-out plate takes place in a room where no crew, significant aircraft equipment or other containers exist. Any damage caused by the "controlled" explosion was, finds complete inside the container itself.

If the blow-out plate 48 triggers, is the pressure on the blow-out plate 48 so high that the blow-out plate 48 with great power from the partition 46 is ejected. The outer wall 18 of the control room 44 will prevent the inflatable plate 48 the container 1 leaves, and thus that it inflicts damage on the aircraft itself or persons within the hold of the aircraft. By placing the inflatable plate in the control room 44 is triggered, the external damage caused by such an action is reduced.

When transporting heavy goods, certain additional precautions must be taken. If the charge is distributed over the entire floor area, the base plate will experience a distributed load, which is normally easy to handle. However, when the load is as a point load at certain positions within the container 1 is present, the situation is more serious. If the goods additionally have to be fastened directly to the floor, the requirements for avoiding eg ground area destruction are great.

In 5 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a base of a container shown in a partially separated view. The base area 10 includes a lower, outer base portion 80 and an upper, inner base portion 86 , The outer base section 80 is structurally rigid and preferably as a frame of carriers 82 educated. The gaps 84 within the outer base section 80 are preferably filled with thermally insulating material. The inner base section 86 is at the outer base portion 80 secured, for example, in which he to the carrier 82 of the outer base section 80 is screwed. The inner base section 86 is how in 6a and 6b (which detail drawings of the circled parts in 5 represent), preferably composed by substantially vertically positioned plates 96 , preferably aluminum plates, which at the upper and lower edges of these, each with an upper one 92 and lower 94 Cover plate are connected. The plates 96 can also be made of thermally insulating material be prepared al. The cover plates 92 . 94 are preferably made of a polymer material. The vertical plates 96 are preferably formed and positioned in closed geometric shapes, with the plates 96 are directed in at least two different directions. A simple and preferred embodiment is a honeycomb pattern, as in FIG 6b shown. Such an embodiment provides an inner base portion 86 which has a high rigidity for local loads. A closer embodiment of vertical plates 96 gives a higher load capacity and a stiffer inner base section 86 , Because the inner base section 86 further fixed to the rigid outer base portion 80 is connected, the arrangement obtains a property for distributing dot loads in an effective way.

fastener 90 are at the inner base section 86 intended. The fasteners 90 are accessible from above, eg from the inside of the container 1 , available for fixed fixation of the cargo to the container floor. The fasteners 90 are firmly against the lower cover plate 94 of the inner base section 86 secured, preferably from below, to the strength and bending properties of the inner base portion 86 to use. In the in 6b illustrated embodiment, the fastening means comprise a base plate 98 on the underside of the lower cover plate 94 screwed or riveted 102 is. From the base plate 98 extends a tubular element 100 with internal thread through the inner base section 86 , The threaded pipe 100 therefore provides a secure attachment point for heavy point loads. With a thickness of a cover plate 92 . 94 of 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) and a honeycomb structure of aluminum plates with a honeycomb size of 1 inch (25 mm), resist the fasteners 90 a vertical load of 60 kN and a horizontal load of 150 kN. According to an ISO standard for air cargo containers, the soil should 2 Bear tons per point and withstand collision forces of 2 G The present design carries 15 tons per point and resists 6 G.

It is for a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that many modifications and changes regarding the present invention are possible without their scope to leave, which is defined by the appended claims. In the detailed Description describes an air cargo container. However, too other loading units are constructed according to the same principles.

Claims (10)

Loading unit for air transport, comprising a base area ( 10 ), Side walls ( 12 . 14 ), End walls ( 16 . 18 ) and a roof ( 20 ); comprising a through a partition ( 46 ) of a hold ( 50 ) separated control room ( 44 ) for container climate control devices, characterized in that on the partition ( 46 ) an inflatable plate ( 48 ) is positioned. Loading unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the roof ( 20 ) along at least one of the side walls ( 12 . 14 ) and along at least one of the end walls ( 16 . 18 ) with a section with a reduced height ( 24 . 26 . 28 . 30 . 32 . 34 . 36 . 38 . 40 . 42 ), the section having a reduced height ( 24 . 26 . 28 . 30 . 32 . 34 . 36 . 38 . 40 . 42 ) along the entire length of the respective wall ( 12 . 14 . 16 . 18 ). Loading unit according to claim 2, characterized in that the section has a substantially flat, sloping plane ( 24 . 26 . 30 . 42 ). Loading unit according to claim 2, characterized in that the section has a cutout ( 28 . 32 . 34 . 38 . 40 ) in the roof ( 20 ). Loading unit according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the container end walls ( 16 . 18 ), Side walls ( 12 . 14 ) and the roof ( 20 ) are constructed of thermally insulating plates, which are interconnected by profiles, wherein at least one of the profiles has an inner portion ( 60 ) and an outer sections ( 62 ), which have connection profiles ( 70 ) are joined together from a polymer material. Loading unit according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one of the profile sections ( 60 . 62 ) a cavity ( 72 ) for a steel beam, which improves the rigidity of the profile. Loading unit according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that at least one of the profiles a sealing surface ( 73 ). Loading unit according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the base area ( 10 ) a structurally rigid outer base portion ( 80 ) and an inner base portion ( 86 ), wherein the inner base section ( 86 ) vertically positioned slats ( 96 ), each at its upper and lower portions with an upper ( 92 ) and lower ( 94 ) Are connected to the polymer plate. Loading unit according to claim 8, characterized in that the inner base section ( 86 ) with a fastening means ( 90 ), which is accessible from above and at the lower polymer plate ( 94 ) is secured. Loading unit according to claim 9, characterized in that the fastening means ( 90 ) a base plate ( 98 ), which on the lower side of the lower polymer plate ( 94 ), and a tubular element ( 100 ) with internal threads, whereby the pipe element ( 100 ) from the base plate ( 98 ) through the inner base section ( 86 ).