# US 12,184,097 B2 · Methods and systems for power sharing and charging coordination of self-contained climate controlled storage unit(s) > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,184,097 B2 - Document ID: US12184097B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/056,488 - Filed: 2022-11-17 - Published: 2024-05-23 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2022-11-17 - Assignees: Thermo King Corporation - Applicants: Thermo King LLC - Inventors: Paul J. Kroes; Ryan Wayne Schumacher; Matthew Srnec; Jason Tilghman; Srinivasa Rao Koppineedi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12184097B2 ## CPC - H02J 3/32: using batteries or super capacitors with converting means - H02J 7/50: acting upon multiple batteries simultaneously or sequentially - F24F 5/0017: {using cold storage bodies, e.g. ice} - F24F 11/30: for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring - F25D 11/003: {Transport containers} - G06Q 30/0284: {Time or distance, e.g. usage of parking meters or taximeters} - H02J 7/35: with light sensitive cells - H02J 7/40: characterised by the exchange of charge or discharge related data - H02J 7/70: characterised by the mechanical construction - H02J 7/82: Control of state of charge [SOC] - H02J 7/865: {Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply (H02J7/50 takes precedence)} - H02J 7/933: {the cycle being controlled or terminated in response to electric parameters} - H02J 9/06: with automatic change-over {, e.g. UPS systems} - H02J 2105/42: Home appliances - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02) - 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) - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract An electrically powered portable self-contained climate controlled storage unit is provided to connect to and automatically share power with an external power source. The storage unit includes a rechargeable battery system and a controller to determine whether to direct power flow to or from the rechargeable battery system. Methods and systems are provided for actively coordinating charging of multiple electrically powered portable self-contained climate controlled storage units that are connected to the external power source. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrically powered portable self-contained climate controlled storage unit, comprising: a base comprising an enclosure; a climate controlled space affixed to the base; a climate control system at least partially received in the enclosure, and configured to provide climate control to the climate controlled space, a power source configured to supply power to the climate control system, the power source including a rechargeable battery system received in the enclosure; a power circuit component connected to the rechargeable battery system, the power circuit component configured to direct power flow to or from the rechargeable battery system; and a controller configured to obtain one or more power sharing parameters and configured to determine whether to direct power flow to or from the rechargeable battery system for a predetermined period of time based on the one or more power sharing parameters. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electrically powered portable self-contained climate controlled storage unit of claim 1, wherein the power circuit component is configured to connect the rechargeable battery system to an external power source and direct a bi-directional power flow therebetween. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The electrically powered portable self-contained climate controlled storage unit of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether to direct power flow from the external power source to the rechargeable battery system to charge the rechargeable battery system based on the one or more power sharing parameters. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The electrically powered portable self-contained climate controlled storage unit of claim 3, wherein the one or more power sharing parameters include a utility charge rate, and wherein the controller is configured to determine the utility charge rate on the external power source, and (i) direct the power flow from the external power source to the rechargeable battery system when the utility charge rate is lower than a first threshold utility charge rate, and (ii) prevent the power flow from the external power source to the rechargeable battery system when the utility charge rate is higher than a second threshold utility charge rate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The electrically powered portable self-contained climate controlled storage unit of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether to direct power from the rechargeable battery system to the external power source based on the one or more power sharing parameters. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The electrically powered portable self-contained climate controlled storage unit of claim 5, wherein the one or more power sharing parameters include a utility charge rate, and wherein the controller is configured to determine the utility charge rate on the external power source, and (i) direct the power flow from the rechargeable battery system to the external power source when the utility charge rate is higher than a first threshold utility charge rate, and (ii) prevent the power flow from the rechargeable battery system to the external power source when the utility charge rate is lower than a second threshold utility charge rate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The electrically powered portable self-contained climate controlled storage unit of claim 5, wherein one or more power sharing parameters include a battery state of charge of the rechargeable battery system, and wherein the controller is configured to determine the battery state of charge of the rechargeable battery system, and (i) direct the power flow from the rechargeable battery system to the external power source when the battery state of charge is higher than a first threshold level, and (ii) prevent the power flow from the rechargeable battery system to the external power source when the battery state of charge is lower than a second threshold level. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electrically powered portable self-contained climate controlled storage unit of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether to supply energy from the power source to the climate control system based on the one or more power sharing parameters. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The electrically powered portable self-contained climate controlled storage unit of claim 8, wherein the one or more power sharing parameters include a battery state of charge of the rechargeable battery system, and wherein the controller is configured to determine the battery state of charge of the rechargeable battery system, and instruct the rechargeable battery system to supply power to the climate control system when the battery state of charge is higher than a threshold level. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The electrically powered portable self-contained climate controlled storage unit of claim 1, further comprising a user interface configured to receive a user's input indicating whether to direct power flow to or from the rechargeable battery system for the predetermined period of time. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The electrically powered portable self-contained climate controlled storage unit of claim 10, wherein the user interface is configured to receive the user's input indicating that the storage unit is in a standby mode to wait for the determination from the controller. ### Claim 12 A method of coordinating charging of a plurality of electrically powered portable self-contained climate controlled storage units to be connected to an external power source, each storage unit comprising a climate control system configured to provide climate control to an internal climate controlled space, and a power source to supply power to the climate control system, the power source including a rechargeable battery system, the method comprising: a controller pairing the plurality of storage units to form a group; the controller communicating to update an individual status for each storage unit among the group; the controller determining a charge priority for each storage unit of the group based on the updated individual status; and the controller instructing to charge, via the external power source, the plurality of storage units based on the determined charge priority. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the controller pairing the plurality of storage units further comprises the controller determining whether each of the plurality of storage units are stationary for a predetermined period of time, the controller identifying whether the plurality of storage units is in close proximity with respect to each other, and the controller determining whether the plurality of storage units is connected to one or more outlets of the external power source. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising the controller receiving a feedback from the external power source upon an input from one or more of the plurality of storage units, and determining whether the plurality of storage units is connected to the same external power source based the received feedback. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising the controller monitoring one or more characteristic parameters of the external power source. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the controller pairing the plurality of storage units further comprises the controller instructing the plurality of storage units to exchange a signal to regulate data transfer therebetween. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the controller pairing the plurality of storage units further comprises the controller receiving an identification of each of the plurality of storage units. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising the controller preventing simultaneous startup of charging two or more of the plurality of storage units when the two or more storage units are connected to the external power source. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the controller determining the charge priority comprises the controller determining a battery state of charge and an electrical load of each storage unit of the group. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the controller instructing to charge the plurality of storage units further comprises the controller instructing to sequentially charge the plurality of storage units automatically.