GB2311121A

GB2311121A - A temperature maintained storage enclosure

Info

Publication number: GB2311121A
Application number: GB9605483A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Denis Irwin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-03-15
Filing date: 1996-03-15
Publication date: 1997-09-17
Also published as: GB9605483D0

Abstract

A temperature maintained storage enclosure for example for the safe storage of computer data and comprising a casing having outer and inner metal skins in which a layer of thermal insulation material is located, a steel box spaced inwardly from the inner casing with a further layer of thermal insulation material therebetween and an inner lining box spaced inwardly from the steel box with the thermal absorption material therebetween. The inner storage void houses a refrigeration system consisting of a cylinder (20) of compressed gas a pressure regulating valve (21) and a cooling duct (22) with a temperature sensing device (23) at its remote end and located within the void. The refrigeration system does not require a source of electrical energy for its operation and is automatically activated upon elevation of the internal temperature to a pre-determined level whereby the temperature is maintained below that level for a period in excess of one hour.

Description

A TEMPERATURE MAINTAINED STORAGE ENCLOSURE THIS INVENTION concerns an enclosure for the storage or transportation of, for example, computer data stored on discs or tapes.

Data corrupts at temperatures in excess of 52"C so that the safe storage, both for personal and commercial use, of computer tapes and discs is of paramount importance. In the event of a fire the data would be lost long before the tapes or disc themselves are destroyed by the high temperature.

Fire protection containers for such use are already known but these rely on thermal insulation properties in order to sustain the internal temperature at below 52"C. Such devices fail to protect their contents once the temperature rises above this level, which may occur in the event of a fire.

In addition, document fire protection safes are known which again rely upon thermal insulation properties in order to maintain the internal storage void at a temperature below 232"C at which paper will char. Once again, such devices are of little use in protecting computer data or other temperature-sensitive materials which are destroyed at temperatures in excess of 52".

According to the present invention there is provided a temperature-maintained storage enclosure comprising a casing defining an internal void, the casing including thermal insulation means; characterised in that the enclosure includes a refrigeration device and a temperature sensing device adapted automatically to active the refrigeration device at a predetermined temperature, the refrigeration device being of a kind which does not require a source of electrical energy for its operation.

Preferably, the refrigeration device also comprises a container of gas, a regulating valve and a cooling duct.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a cross-section through a temperature maintained storage enclosure made in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 illustrates the components of a refrigeration system being part of the enclosure.

In a preferred embodiment the device comprises outer and inner metal casing skins 10 and 11 between which there is a thick filling 12 of a thermal insulation material. Inside the inner skin 11 and spaced inwardly therefrom is a steel box 13. Between the latter and the inner metal skin 11 is a further but thinner layer 14 of thermal insulating material with a thermal reflective skin locating between the insulation 14 and metal skin 11. Inside the steel box 13 and spaced inwardly therefrom is a metal or plastic inner lining box 15. Between the latter and the steel box 13 is a layer 16 of high thermal absorption material.

The inner box 15 defines an internal void 17 to be occupied by devices or materials to be protected against elevated temperature. In the upper part of the void 17 is a housing 18 containing a refrigeration system.

Referring now to Fig. 2 the refrigeration system enclosed within the housing 18 comprises a cylinder 20 containing a compressed gas, preferably carbon-dioxide, a pressure regulating valve 21, and a cooling duct 22 comprising a length of tubing arranged in a serpentine pattern, at the end of which is provided a temperature sensing device in the form of a porous plug 23 so disposed within the enclosure as to monitor the temperature within the internal void 17.

A door (not shown) for the enclosure, which may be hingedly or otherwise mounted thereon, is formed from a similar construction to that of the enclosure walls and includes a sealing strip of open-cell silicon foam. Thus, when the refrigeration system is activated the refrigerant gas issuing from the cylinder 20 may seep from the enclosure through the door seal, preventing the ingress of hot air and thus further protecting the enclosure contents.

The device is set such that the sensor 23 upon detecting a level of temperature approaching or in excess of 50"C will activate the refrigeration system. Carbon-dioxide issuing from the cylinder 20 through the valve 21 causes the latter and the duct 22 to become extremely cold, so that the internal temperature will be reduced and maintained at or below 50 C for a predetermined period dictated by the gas supply, and preferably exceeding one hour.

During this period the heat absorption material 16 is also cooled to prolong the maintenance of a low temperature even after the carbon dioxide supply has been exhausted.

It will be seen therefore that materials may be stored within the enclosure at a safe temperature level as determined by the system in the event of a considerable increase in external temperature.

The device may have several applications. For example it may be used in the medical field for the transport of vital organs or in a domestic sense as a portable picnic cool box. In all applications the device is entirely portable and independent of any electrical power supply.

Claims

1. A temperature-maintained storage enclosure comprising a casing defining an internal void, the casing including thermal insulation means; characterised in that the enclosure includes a refrigeration device and a temperature sensing device adapted automatically to activate the refrigeration device at a pre-determined temperature, the refrigeration device being of a kind which does not require a source of electrical energy for its operation.

2. A temperature-maintained storage enclosure according to Claim 1, wherein the refrigeration device includes a container of gas, a regulating valve and a cooling duct.

3. A temperature-maintained storage enclosure according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the casing comprises outer and inner skins between which there is provided a thick filling of a thermal insulation material.

4. A temperature-maintained storage enclosure according to Claim 3, wherein the casing further includes, inside said inner skin and spaced inwardly therefrom a steel box, there being between the latter and said inner skin a further layer of thermal insulation material, with a thermal reflective skin located between the further layer of insulating material and said inner skin.

5. A temperature-maintained storage enclosure according to Claim 4, wherein the casing further includes, within said steel box, an inner lining box, there being between the latter and the steel box a layer of high thermal absorption material.

6. A temperature-maintained storage enclosure according to Claim 5, wherein the inner lining box defines said internal void to be occupied by devices or materials to be protected against elevated temperature, the refrigeration device being housed within another part of said internal void.

7. A temperature-maintained storage enclosure according to Claim 2, wherein the contained gas is carbon dioxide and the cooling duct comprises a length of tubing arranged in a serpentine pattern at the end of which is provided a temperature sensing device so disposed within the enclosure as to monitor the temperature within the internal void.

8. A temperature-maintained storage enclosure according to any preceding claim, wherein the casing includes a door hingedly or otherwise mounted thereon and formed from a layered construction similar to that of the casing, and further including a sealing strip of open-cell foamed plastics thus to enable refrigerant gas to seep from the enclosure through the door seal to prevent the ingress of hot air.

9. A temperature-maintained storage enclosure according to any preceding claim, wherein the temperature sensing device is adapted to activate the refrigeration system upon detecting a level of temperature approaching, at or in excess of 50"C.

10. A temperature-maintained storage enclosure according to any preceding claim, wherein the refrigeration device is adapted to maintain the internal temperature within the enclosure at or below 50 C for a period in excess of one hour.