Controlled-environment cargo container
AssigneeColdwall, Inc.
InventorRobert Dale
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling the environment of cargo through lateral ventilation. The method provides for a controlled fluid to be supplied into a cargo compartment having a lateral portion, the fluid being supplied through a vent in a supply-conduit adjacent the lateral portion. In practice, this result can be achieved by building a structure that encloses a cargo compartment having a lateral portion, running a supply-conduit adjacent the lateral portion, connecting the supply-conduit to receive a controlled fluid from outside the cargo compartment, and conducting the fluid into the cargo compartment through a vent in the supply-conduit. On mixing with the environment within the cargo compartment, the fluid will influence components of the environment, for example the humidity and the temperature.
Claims29
A cargo container, comprising:
- a structure that defines a cargo compartment having a ceiling, a floor and a lateral portion;
- a controller positioned outside of the cargo compartment;
- a supply conduit adjacent the lateral portion and having an inlet for receiving a fluid from the controller, and an outlet spaced above the floor for supplying the fluid to the cargo compartment;
- and
- a return conduit having an inlet for receiving the fluid from the cargo compartment through the ceiling of the cargo compartment and an outlet for supplying the fluid to the controller.
A method of controlling the environment within a cargo compartment of a cargo container, the cargo compartment having a structure including a ceiling, a floor and a lateral portion, and the cargo container having a controller positioned outside of the cargo compartment, the method comprising:
- supplying a fluid from the controller to the cargo compartment through a supply conduit adjacent the lateral portion, the supply conduit having an outlet spaced above the floor;
- removing the fluid from the cargo compartment through the ceiling of the cargo compartment and into an inlet of a return conduit;
- and
- supplying the fluid from the return conduit to the controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.