# US 11,897,616 B2 · Dry ice draw through galley cooling reference to related applications > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,897,616 B2 - Document ID: US11897616B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/895,725 - Filed: 2022-08-25 - Published: 2023-01-19 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2014-03-10 - Applicants: The Boeing Company - Inventors: Bryce A. Vandyke; Marcus K. Richardson; Chao-Hsin Lin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11897616B2 ## CPC - B64D 11/04: Galleys - A47B 31/02: with heating, cooling or ventilating means - B64D 11/0007: {Devices specially adapted for food or beverage distribution services} - F25D 3/125: {Movable containers} - B62B 2204/04: comprising a cooling unit - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - A47B: TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE (furniture jointing F16B) - F25D: REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (refrigerated showcases A47F3/04; thermally-insulated vessels for domestic use A47J41/00; refrigerated vehicles, see the appropriate subclasses of classes B60 - B64; containers with thermal insulation in general B65D81/38; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants, or materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion C09K5/00; thermally-insulated vessels for liquefied or solidified gases F17C; air-conditioning or air-humidification F24F; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B; cooling of instruments or comparable apparatus without refrigeration G12B) - B62B: HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES (characterised by animal propulsion B62C; propulsion of sledges by driver or engine B62M) ## Abstract A galley cart system employs a dry ice compartment and a refrigeration compartment in a galley cart in flow communication with the dry ice compartment. A ventilation system is in interruptible flow communication with at least the refrigeration compartment and configured to receive gas discharged from at least the refrigeration compartment. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for dry ice cooling of a galley cart, the method comprising: removably docking the galley cart into a cart receiving area in a galley; sublimating dry ice in a dry ice compartment to form a cold CO2 sublimate; introducing the cold CO2 sublimate into a refrigeration compartment in the galley cart, the refrigeration compartment in flow communication with the dry ice compartment and located to receive downward gravity flow of the cold CO2 sublimate for cooling the refrigeration compartment; and venting the cold CO2 sublimate to a ventilation system by interconnection of the refrigeration compartment to a galley vent upon docking of the galley cart. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising metering the cold CO2 sublimate from the refrigeration compartment by a metering into a sublimation pocket through an apertured grate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising metering the cold CO2 sublimate into the ventilation system through a metering vent in the galley cart. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of introducing the cold CO2 sublimate into the refrigeration compartment comprises: introducing the dry ice in an integral dry ice compartment in the galley cart; and flowing sublimated CO2 through a perforated lower wall in the integral dry ice compartment into the refrigeration compartment. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of introducing the cold CO2 sublimate into the refrigeration compartment comprises: introducing the dry ice into a drawer in the galley; allowing sublimation into a plenum; and interconnecting the plenum to the refrigeration compartment upon docking of the galley cart. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising exhausting the cold CO2 sublimate from the ventilation system overboard through the galley vent. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: routing the cold CO2 sublimate through a conduit into a wastewater stream; entraining the cold CO2 sublimate into wastewater in the wastewater stream; and venting the cold CO2 sublimate and vapor from a wastewater tank overboard. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising routing the cold CO2 sublimate to a heat exchanger inlet as supplemental cooling working fluid. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: routing the cold CO2 sublimate into a ram air system; and expanding the cold CO2 sublimate for thrust recovery. ### Claim 10 A method for dry ice cooling of a galley cart, the method comprising: removably docking the galley cart into a cart receiving area in a galley; sublimating dry ice in a first compartment configured to contain CO2 sublimate as a primary working fluid; employing the CO2 sublimate in a refrigeration compartment in flow communication with the first compartment and located to receive downward gravity flow of the CO2 sublimate as the primary working fluid providing refrigeration for food in the refrigeration compartment; venting the CO2 sublimate to a separate duct system in flow communication between a vent and a second system of a vehicle, said separate duct system configured for flow of the CO2 sublimate as an alternative processing fluid or working fluid in the second system upon docking of the galley cart; and employing the CO2 sublimate from the vent as an alternative processing fluid or working fluid in the second system. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising metering the CO2 sublimate through the refrigeration compartment by a metering into a sublimation pocket through an apertured grate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein the first compartment comprises an integral dry ice compartment in the galley cart and the step of sublimating dry ice in the first compartment initially comprises introducing dry ice into the integral dry ice compartment and the step of employing the CO2 sublimate in the refrigeration compartment comprises: flowing sublimated CO2 through a perforated lower wall in the integral dry ice compartment into the refrigeration compartment. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 further comprising metering the CO2 sublimate into the separate duct system by a metering vent in the galley cart. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 wherein the step of venting the CO2 sublimate to the separate duct system comprises: urging a rear wall of the galley cart against a peripheral seal surrounding a vent door, said vent door suspended by a hinge and in flow communication with the separate vent duct; contacting a bumper extending from the vent door with the rear wall of the galley cart, the bumper having an offset providing a contact distance for the galley cart rear wall before the wall engages the peripheral seal whereby when the cart rear wall is urged against the seal, the bumper engages the galley cart rear wall and urges the door into an open position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein the step of employing the CO2 sublimate in a refrigeration compartment comprises: introducing the dry ice into a drawer in the galley; allowing sublimation of CO2 from the drawer into a plenum; and interconnecting the plenum to the refrigeration compartment upon docking of the galley cart. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 wherein interconnecting the plenum to the refrigeration compartment comprises: urging a rear wall of the galley cart against a galley end wall including a plenum wall and a vent wall, the galley cart rear wall having a sublimation inlet door and a sublimation vent door, the plenum wall having a first peripheral seal surrounding a sublimation transfer door, and the vent wall has a second peripheral seal surrounding a sublimation receiver door; engaging the rear wall of the galley cart with the first and second peripheral seals whereby a first bumper on the sublimation transfer door engages the rear wall of the galley cart and a second bumper on the galley end wall engages the sublimation inlet door on the galley cart rear wall, thereby urging the sublimation transfer door and sublimation inlet door into the open position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 wherein the step of receiving the CO2 sublimate from the refrigeration compartment comprises: engaging the rear wall of the galley cart with the first and second peripheral seals whereby a third bumper on the galley end wall engages the sublimation vent door on the galley cart rear wall, and a fourth bumper on the sublimation receiver door engages the galley cart rear wall, thereby urging the sublimation vent door and the sublimation receiver door. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 further comprising metering the CO2 sublimate into the separate duct system by a metering vent in the galley cart. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising exhausting the CO2 sublimate from the second system overboard through a vent. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 further comprising relieving excess pressure through an excess pressure relief valve in communication with the refrigeration compartment or the integral dry ice compartment.