Spatio-thermal energy modulation vessel with embedded conductive framework

A portable temperature-controlled enclosure comprising a thermally insulated housing having an external footprint measuring approximately 12.00 inches by 10.00 inches and enclosing a payload chamber having internal dimensions of approximately 10 inches in width, 8 inches in length, and 2.61 inches in height, the payload chamber comprising a rectangular geometry and a plate-style lower surface configured to receive direct thermal conduction from a cooling assembly, the payload chamber further including a top-loading access opening sized to permit placement of temperature-sensitive materials;

• a thermoelectric-effect cooling assembly positioned beneath the plate-style lower surface and thermally coupled to the payload chamber through a thermal interface material applied at a controlled thickness and verified for full-surface coverage;
• a thermal control material positioned adjacent to lateral surfaces of the payload chamber to provide passive thermal buffering and lateral heat spreading;
• a structural separation between the payload chamber defined by said dimensions and a lower cooling-assembly region housing the thermoelectric-effect cooling assembly;
• a heat-exchange subsystem configured to dissipate heat generated by the thermoelectric-effect cooling assembly through at least one ventilation opening in the housing;
• a rechargeable battery configured to power the thermoelectric-effect cooling assembly during autonomous operation;
• and a control system comprising one or more temperature sensors positioned to detect temperature within the payload chamber and electronics configured to regulate operation of the thermoelectric-effect cooling assembly to maintain the payload chamber within a defined temperature range.

A method of maintaining a medical payload at a controlled temperature within a portable temperature-controlled enclosure, the method comprising:

• (a) sensing temperature at two or more vertical elevations within an interior payload chamber defined by a thermally insulated housing, the sensing performed using temperature sensors operatively coupled to a control system;
• (b) receiving, by the control system, temperature data from the two or more temperature sensors and computing a real-time payload thermal-mass estimate based at least on an observed initial cooldown slope within the payload chamber;
• (c) regulating thermoelectric drive current supplied to a thermoelectric-effect cooling assembly thermally coupled to the payload chamber through a thermal interface material applied at a controlled thickness and verified for full-surface coverage, the regulating performed according to a predictive temperature-regulation model that adjusts cooling output based on the computed thermal-mass estimate;
• (d) determining, by the control system, a vertical thermal-gradient value (ΔTz) and selectively activating a heat-exchange subsystem comprising a forced-air ventilation pathway when the vertical thermal-gradient value exceeds a defined threshold, thereby dissipating heat generated by the thermoelectric-effect cooling assembly;
• (e) autonomously adjusting power delivery to the thermoelectric-effect cooling assembly according to remaining battery capacity by transitioning between a first voltage level for cooldown operation and a reduced second voltage level for steady-state temperature regulation;
• and
• (f) maintaining, through cooperative operation of the thermoelectric-effect cooling assembly and a thermal control material positioned adjacent to the payload chamber, the interior payload chamber within a defined temperature range suitable for preserving the stability of the medical payload.