# US 2014/0150464 A1 · Temperature-Stabilized Storage Systems with Integral Regulated Cooling

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- Number: US 2014/0150464 A1
- Document ID: US20140150464A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/098,886
- Filed: 2013-12-06
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2010-02-08
- Assignees: TOKITAE LLC, a limited liability company of the State of Delaware
- Applicants: Tokitae LLC
- Inventors: Jonathan Bloedow; Ryan Calderon; Michael Friend; David Gasperino; William Gates; Roderick A. Hyde; Edward K. Y. Jung; Shieng Liu; Nathan P. Myhrvold; Nathan John Pegram; David Keith Piech; Shannon Weise Stone; Clarence T. Tegreene; Charles Whitmer; Lowell L. Wood, JR.; Ozgur Emek Yildirim
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150464A1

## CPC

- F25B 21/04: reversible
- B65D 81/38: with thermal insulation
- F25B 21/02: using Peltier effect; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effect
- F25B 29/00: Combined heating and refrigeration systems, e.g. operating alternately or simultaneously
- F25D 3/005: {combined with heat exchangers}
- F25D 11/006: {with cold storage accumulators}
- F25B 23/006: {boiling cooling systems}
- F25D 11/003: {Transport containers}
- F25B: REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- 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)

## Abstract

In some embodiments, a regulated thermal transfer device for a storage container includes: a phase change material unit, the phase change material unit including one or more walls surrounding a phase-change material region, and an aperture in the one or more walls; a heat pipe with a first end positioned within the phase change material unit, and a second end; a thermoelectric unit thermally connected to the second end of the heat pipe; a heat sink connected to the thermoelectric unit, and positioned to radiate heat away from the thermoelectric unit; and an electronic controller operably connected to the thermoelectric unit; wherein the regulated thermal transfer device is of a size and shape to be positioned so that the phase change material unit is within a storage region of a temperature-stabilized storage container, and the thermoelectric unit is positioned adjacent to an external surface of the temperature-stabilized storage container.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A regulated thermal transfer device for a storage container, comprising:
a phase change material unit, the phase change material unit including one or more walls surrounding a phase-change material region, and an aperture in the one or more walls;
a heat pipe with a first end positioned within the phase change material unit, and a second end traversing the aperture of the one or more walls of the phase change material unit;
a thermoelectric unit thermally connected to the second end of the heat pipe;
a heat sink connected to the thermoelectric unit, and positioned to radiate heat away from the thermoelectric unit; and
an electronic controller operably connected to the thermoelectric unit;
wherein the regulated thermal transfer device is of a size and shape to be positioned so that the phase change material unit is within a storage region of a temperature-stabilized storage container, and the thermoelectric unit is positioned adjacent to an external surface of the temperature-stabilized storage container.

### Claim 2

(canceled)

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The regulated thermal transfer device of claim 1, wherein the phase change material unit comprises:
a sealed container including a hydrocarbon-based phase-change material within an expanded graphite structure.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The regulated thermal transfer device of claim 1, wherein the phase change material unit comprises:
an aperture surrounding the heat pipe, and a seal connecting the aperture to the heat pipe.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The regulated thermal transfer device of claim 1, wherein the phase change material unit comprises:
an attachment region positioned to attach the phase change material unit to a surface of the storage region of the temperature-stabilized storage container.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The regulated thermal transfer device of claim 1, wherein the phase change material unit comprises:
a phase change material substantially filling a sealed interior region of the phase change material unit, the phase change material having a freeze temperature between about 0° C. to about 2° C.

### Claim at position 7

-8. (canceled)

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The regulated thermal transfer device of claim 1, wherein the heat pipe comprises:
a plurality of thermal conduction structures positioned within the phase-change material unit and configured to transfer heat from the phase change material to the heat pipe.

### Claim at position 9

-12. (canceled)

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The regulated thermal transfer device of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric unit comprises:
a Peltier device.

### Claim at position 11

-15. (canceled)

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The regulated thermal transfer device of claim 1, wherein the heat sink connected to the thermoelectric unit comprises:
a passive heat sink device.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The regulated thermal transfer device of claim 1, wherein the heat sink connected to the thermoelectric unit comprises:
an active heat sink device, the active heat sink device operably coupled to the controller.

### Claim 18

(canceled)

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The regulated thermal transfer device of claim 1, wherein the electronic controller comprises:
circuitry configured to control the thermoelectric unit in response to signals received from at least one temperature sensor.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The regulated thermal transfer device of claim 1, further comprising:
a temperature sensor attached to the phase change material unit; and
a connector between the temperature sensor and the electronic controller.

### Claim 21 (depends on 1)

The regulated thermal transfer device of claim 1, further comprising:
a connector attached to the electronic controller, the connector configured to provide electricity to the regulated thermal transfer device from an external power source.

### Claim at position 18

-24. (canceled)

### Claim 25 (depends on 1)

The regulated thermal transfer device of claim 1, further comprising:
a communications unit operably coupled to the electronic controller.

### Claim 26 (depends on 1)

The regulated thermal transfer device of claim 1, further comprising:
a second phase change material unit including one or more walls surrounding a phase-change material region, and an aperture in the one or more walls;
a second heat pipe with a first end positioned within the second phase change material unit, and a second end thermally connected to the thermoelectric unit.

### Claim 27

A temperature-stabilized storage container, comprising:
one or more sections of ultra-efficient insulation material substantially defining a temperature-stabilized storage container including a temperature-stabilized storage region with a single access aperture to the temperature-stabilized storage region;
a phase change material unit attached to an internal surface of the temperature-stabilized storage region;
a heat pipe with a first end positioned within the phase-change material unit, and a second end positioned adjacent to the single access aperture on an outer surface of the temperature-stabilized storage container;
a thermoelectric unit in contact with the second end of the heat pipe;
a heat sink connected to the thermoelectric unit and positioned to radiate heat away from the thermoelectric unit; and
an electronic controller connected to the thermoelectric unit.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 27, wherein the one or more sections of ultra-efficient insulation material comprise:
a plurality of layers of multilayer insulation substantially surrounding the temperature-stabilized storage region; and
substantially evacuated space surrounding the plurality of layers of multilayer insulation.

### Claim 29 (depends on 28)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 28, wherein the substantially evacuated space has a pressure less than or equal to 5×10−4 torr.

### Claim 30

(canceled)

### Claim 31 (depends on 27)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 27, wherein the temperature-stabilized storage region is configured to be maintained at a temperature substantially between approximately 2 degrees Centigrade and approximately 8 degrees Centigrade.

### Claim at position 26

-36. (canceled)

### Claim 37 (depends on 27)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 27, wherein the phase change material unit comprises:
a sealed container including a hydrocarbon-based phase-change material within an expanded graphite structure.

### Claim 38 (depends on 27)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 27, wherein the phase change material unit comprises:
an aperture surrounding the heat pipe, and a seal connecting the aperture to the heat pipe.

### Claim 39

(canceled)

### Claim 40 (depends on 27)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 27, wherein the phase change material unit comprises:
a phase change material substantially filling a sealed interior region of the phase change material unit, the phase change material having a freeze temperature between about 0° C. and 2° C.

### Claim at position 31

-45. (canceled)

### Claim 46 (depends on 27)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 27, wherein the thermoelectric unit comprises:
a Peltier device.

### Claim at position 33

-48. (canceled)

### Claim 49 (depends on 27)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 27, wherein the heat sink connected to the thermoelectric unit comprises:
a passive heat sink device.

### Claim 50 (depends on 27)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 27, wherein
the heat sink connected to the thermoelectric unit comprises:
an active heat sink device, the active heat sink device operably coupled to the electronic controller.

### Claim 51

(canceled)

### Claim 52 (depends on 27)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 27, wherein the electronic controller comprises:
circuitry configured to control the thermoelectric unit in response to signals received from at least one temperature sensor.

### Claim 53 (depends on 27)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 27, further comprising:
a temperature sensor positioned within the temperature-stabilized storage region; and
a connector between the temperature sensor and the electronic controller.

### Claim at position 39

-58. (canceled)

### Claim 59 (depends on 27)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 27, further comprising:
a second phase change material unit positioned within the temperature-stabilized storage region;
a second heat pipe with a first end positioned within the second phase-change material unit, and a second end positioned adjacent to the single access aperture, wherein the thermoelectric unit is in contact with the second end of the second heat pipe.

### Claim 60

A temperature-stabilized storage container, comprising:
an outer wall substantially defining an outer surface of a storage container, the outer wall including an outer aperture in an upper region;
an inner wall substantially defining a temperature-stabilized storage region internal to the storage container, the inner wall including an inner aperture in an upper region;
a gap between the outer wall and the inner wall;
a conduit connecting the outer aperture to the inner aperture;
one or more sections of ultra-efficient insulation material within the gap;
a phase-change material unit attached to an internal surface of the temperature-stabilized storage region;
a heat pipe with a first end positioned within the phase-change material unit, and a second end positioned adjacent to the outer aperture;
a thermoelectric unit in contact with the second end of the heat pipe;
a heat sink unit connected to the thermoelectric unit and positioned to radiate heat away from the thermoelectric unit; and
an electronic controller connected to the thermoelectric unit.

### Claim at position 42

-64. (canceled)

### Claim 65 (depends on 60)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 60, wherein the at least one section of ultra-efficient insulation material within the gap comprises:
a plurality of layers of multilayer insulation substantially surrounding the thermally sealed storage region; and
substantially evacuated space surrounding the plurality of layers of multilayer insulation.

### Claim 66 (depends on 65)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 65, wherein the substantially evacuated space has a pressure less than or equal to 5×10−4 torr.

### Claim 67

(canceled)

### Claim 68 (depends on 60)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 60, wherein the temperature-stabilized storage region is configured to be maintained at a temperature substantially between approximately 2 degrees Centigrade and approximately 8 degrees Centigrade.

### Claim 69

(canceled)

### Claim 70 (depends on 60)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 60, wherein the phase-change material unit comprises:
a sealed container including a hydrocarbon-based phase-change material within an expanded graphite structure.

### Claim at position 49

-72. (canceled)

### Claim 73 (depends on 60)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 60, wherein the phase-change material unit comprises:
a phase change material substantially filling a sealed interior region of the phase change material unit, the phase change material having a freeze temperature between about 0° C. and 2° C.

### Claim at position 51

-78. (canceled)

### Claim 79 (depends on 60)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 60, wherein the thermoelectric unit comprises:
a Peltier device.

### Claim at position 53

-81. (canceled)

### Claim 82 (depends on 60)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 60, wherein the heat sink comprises:
a passive heat sink device.

### Claim 83 (depends on 60)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 60, wherein the heat sink comprises:
an active heat sink device, the active heat sink device operably coupled to the electronic controller.

### Claim 84 (depends on 60)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 60, wherein the electronic controller comprises:
circuitry configured to control the thermoelectric unit.

### Claim 85

(canceled)

### Claim 86 (depends on 60)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 60, further comprising:
a temperature sensor positioned within the temperature-stabilized storage region; and
a connector between the temperature sensor and the electronic controller.

### Claim 87 (depends on 60)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 60, further comprising:
a power unit attached to an external surface of the container, the power unit operably coupled to the electronic controller.

### Claim 88 (depends on 60)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 60, further comprising:
a connector attached to the electronic controller, the connector configured to provide electricity from an external power source.

### Claim 89 (depends on 60)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 60, further comprising:
a display unit affixed to an external surface of the container, the display unit operably coupled to the electronic controller.

### Claim 90 (depends on 60)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 60, further comprising:
a communications unit operably coupled to the electronic controller.

### Claim 91 (depends on 60)

The temperature-stabilized storage container of claim 60, further comprising:
a second phase change material unit positioned within the temperature-stabilized storage region;
a second heat pipe with a first end positioned within the second phase-change material unit, and a second end positioned adjacent to the single access aperture, wherein the thermoelectric unit is in contact with the second end of the second heat pipe.