US 4,738,113 A · Combination cooler and freezer for refrigerating containers and food in outer space

Abstract

A refrigeration apparatus for cooling containers and food in the microgravity conditions of outer space comprising a cooler container compartment having a container cold plate therein which is contoured to the shape of sidewall portions of the cans to be cooled. The container cold plate is coated with a complient heat transfer medium such as metal-filled silicone rubber. When the lid of the cooler is closed, the containers are firmly engaged by the complient material, forming a good conductive heat transfer relationship. Extending from the container cold plate is a refrigerated food cold plate. A thermoelectric generator is disposed in a separate cabinet connected to one end of the cooler and includes thermoelectric elements and a heat sink operatively associated with both cold plates within the cooler. A freezer compartment is provided adjacent the container and food cooler compartment. A freezer cold plate thereon is connected to an additional thermoelectric generator.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A refrigeration apparatus for cooling containers and food in the microgravity conditions of outer space comprising:

(a) a housing defining a refrigeration compartment for supporting said containers in a container storage area and food in a refrigerated food storage area, and freezer compartment, said housing having an access opening therein for introducing and removing containers and food from said compartments and removable lid means for opening and closing said access opening;
(b) cold plate means within said refrigeration compartment for cooling said containers and food by conduction, said cold plate means including a container cold plate conformally shaped to exterior sidewall portions of said containers, said metal plate having a layer of complient heat transfer material thereon for firmly engaging said sidewall portions, a food cold plate extending from said container cold plate into said refrigerated food storage area, a freezer cold plate in said freezer compartment;
and
(c) thermoelectric refrigeration means for maintaining said cold plates at temperatures which cool the contents of said refrigeration compartment, and said freezer compartment.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Combination cooler and freezer for refrigerating containers and food in outer space

Life of this patent

Combination cooler and freezer for refrigerating containers and food in outer space

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13