U.S. patent application number 15/201489 was filed with the patent office on 2017-01-05 for thermal container including a thermal unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to Waste Repurposing International, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Waste Repurposing International, Inc.. Invention is credited to Christopher Barnard Ripley, Charles Bartol Vallely.
Application Number | 20170001785 15/201489 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57682901 |
Filed Date | 2017-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170001785 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ripley; Christopher Barnard ;
et al. |
January 5, 2017 |
Thermal Container Including a Thermal Unit
Abstract
In some embodiments, a thermal container may include a thermal
tank, a cold source reservoir, and a tube forming a closed loop in
contact with the thermal tank and with the cold source reservoir
and configured to secure a thermal fluid. The thermal fluid may
have a freeze temperature that is below zero degrees Celsius. The
thermal container may further include a pump coupled to the tube
and configured to circulate the thermal fluid between the cold
source reservoir and the thermal tank when a temperature of the
thermal tank exceeds a selected temperature. In some embodiments,
the thermal container may further include a heating element coupled
to the thermal tank and configured to apply heat to the thermal
tank when the temperature falls below the selected temperature by
more than a threshold amount.
Inventors: |
Ripley; Christopher Barnard;
(Lichtfield, CT) ; Vallely; Charles Bartol;
(Austin, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Waste Repurposing International, Inc. |
Austin |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Waste Repurposing International,
Inc.
Austin
TX
|
Family ID: |
57682901 |
Appl. No.: |
15/201489 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62188562 |
Jul 3, 2015 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 17/02 20130101;
F25D 3/00 20130101; F25D 2400/02 20130101; F25D 2400/361 20130101;
F25D 3/14 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/18 20060101
B65D081/18; F25D 3/00 20060101 F25D003/00 |
Claims
1. A thermal container comprising: a thermal tank; a cold source
reservoir; a tube forming a closed loop in contact with the thermal
tank and with the cold source reservoir and configured to secure a
thermal fluid, the thermal fluid having a freeze temperature that
is below zero degrees Celsius; and a pump coupled to the tube and
configured to circulate the thermal fluid between the cold source
reservoir and the thermal tank when a temperature of the thermal
tank exceeds a selected temperature.
2. The thermal container of claim 1, wherein the thermal fluid
comprises propylene glycol.
3. The thermal container of claim 1, further comprising a control
circuit coupled to the pump and configured to control the pump to
adjust a flow rate of the thermal fluid flowing through the tube
based on a difference between the selected temperature and the
temperature within the thermal tank.
4. The thermal container of claim 3, further comprising: one or
more temperature sensors coupled to the control circuit and
configured to determine a temperature of the thermal tank; and
wherein the control circuit is configured to adjust the flow rate
based on the temperature.
5. The thermal container of claim 4, further comprising: an
interface coupled to the control circuit and accessible by a user
to configure a temperature setting; and wherein the control circuit
is configured to adjust the flow rate based on the temperature
relative to the temperature setting.
6. The thermal container of claim 1, wherein the cold source
reservoir defines an enclosure sized to receive a piece of dry ice
having a temperature of approximately -110.degree. Fahrenheit.
7. The thermal container of claim 1, further comprising a heating
element coupled to the thermal tank, the heating element configured
to apply heat to the thermal tank when the temperature falls below
the selected temperature by more than a threshold amount.
8. The thermal container of claim 1, further comprising a reverse
flow valve that may be controlled to reverse fluid flow from the
thermal tank to the cold source reservoir when a temperature of one
of the thermal tank and an ambient environment falls below a
threshold temperature.
9. An apparatus comprising: a thermal unit sized to fit within a
portable thermal container defining an enclosure, the thermal unit
including: an interface to receive a selected temperature; one or
more temperature sensors; and a control circuit coupled to the
interface and the one or more temperature sensors, the control
circuit configured to selectively control one of a heating element
and a cooling element to maintain a temperature of the enclosure
within a range of the selected temperature.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the heating element comprises
at least one of a wire, a ribbon, and a strip configured to radiate
heat in response to a control signal from the control circuit.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the
heating element is flexible.
12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the cooling element
comprises: a cold source reservoir; tubing forming a closed loop,
the tubing including a first portion coupled to a surface of the
cold source reservoir and including a second portion; and a pump
coupled to the tubing and configured to circulate a thermal fluid
through the closed loop based on control signals from the control
circuit.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second portion of the
tubing is formed from a flexible material.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the cold source reservoir
comprises a dry ice reservoir.
15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the interface comprises at
least one of a touchscreen, a display and a keypad.
16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the interface comprises a
transceiver configured to communicate with a computing device.
17. An apparatus comprising: a container defining an enclosure; a
thermal unit sized to fit within the enclosure, the thermal unit
including: an interface to receive a selected temperature; one or
more temperature sensors; and a control circuit coupled to the
interface and the one or more temperature sensors, the control
circuit configured to selectively control one of a heating element
and a cooling element to maintain a temperature of the enclosure
within a range of the selected temperature.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the cooling element
comprises: a cold source reservoir; tubing forming a closed loop,
the tubing including a first portion coupled to a surface of the
cold source reservoir and including a second portion; and a pump
coupled to the tubing and configured to circulate a thermal fluid
through the closed loop based on control signals from the control
circuit.
19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the heating element
comprises the heating element comprises at least one of a wire, a
ribbon, and a strip configured to radiate heat in response to a
control signal from the control circuit.
20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the interface to receive a
selected temperature includes at least one of a Universal Serial
Bus interface and a wireless transceiver interface configured to
communicate with a computing device to receive the selected
temperature.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] The present disclosure is a non-provisional of and claims
priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/188,562
filed on Jul. 3, 2015 and entitled "Thermal Container Including a
Thermal Unit", which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure is generally related to thermal
container devices, such as portable, insulated thermal containers,
and more particularly to portable thermal container devices having
a thermal unit that is isolated from food items within a thermal
tank and that can provide heating, cooling, or both.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Portable thermal containers may include a chilled tank or
compartment, which may be stocked with food items or beverages and
which may include ice, cold packs or other items. Some portable
thermal containers may be used for transporting other items, such
as organs for transplant operations, and so on. In general, such
thermal containers may be carried by hand or may include wheels and
a handle by which may the thermal container to be pushed or
otherwise moved around. Such thermal containers may be insulated
containers configured to passively maintain a temperature of items
within the enclosure relative to the ambient temperature of the
surroundings and sometimes with the assistance of a cold source,
such as ice.
SUMMARY
[0004] In some embodiments, a thermal container may include a
thermal tank, a cold source reservoir, and a tube forming a closed
loop in contact with the thermal tank and with the cold source
reservoir and configured to secure a thermal fluid. The thermal
fluid may have a freeze temperature that is below zero degrees
Celsius. The thermal container may further include a pump coupled
to the tube and configured to circulate the thermal fluid between
the cold source reservoir and the thermal tank when a temperature
of the thermal tank exceeds a selected temperature. In some
embodiments, the thermal container may further include a heating
element coupled to the thermal tank and configured to apply heat to
the thermal tank when the temperature falls below the selected
temperature by more than a threshold amount. Alternatively, the
thermal container may include a reverse flow valve configured to
reverse coolant flood flow when the thermal tank falls below a
selected temperature.
[0005] In some embodiments, an apparatus may include a thermal unit
sized to fit within a portable thermal container defining an
enclosure, such as a portable cooler. The thermal unit may include
an interface to receive a selected temperature, one or more
temperature sensors, and a control circuit coupled to the interface
and the one or more temperature sensors. The control circuit may be
configured to selectively control one of a heating element and a
cooling element to maintain a temperature of the enclosure within a
range of the selected temperature.
[0006] In some embodiments, the thermal unit may include a control
circuit configured to control the pump to control one of a heating
element and a flow rate of a thermal fluid to maintain a selected
temperature of an enclosure. In some embodiments, the thermal unit
can include an input/output (I/O) interface coupled to the control
circuit and configured to receive input data, such as a temperature
setting, from a touchscreen, a keypad, or an external electronic
device, such as a smartphone or other computing device.
[0007] In still other embodiments, a method may include receiving a
temperature setting. The method may also include determining a
temperature of a thermal tank and selectively adjusting a flow rate
of a chill fluid extending between a cold source and the thermal
tank to maintain the temperature of the thermal tank according to
the temperature setting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a thermal container, in
accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 1B is a top view of the thermal container of FIG. 1A
including an open lid, in accordance with certain embodiments of
the present disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a thermal container
including an interface to control a chill temperature, in
accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 2B is a top view of the thermal container including an
open lid and including an interface to control a chill temperature,
in accordance with certain embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a thermal container, in
accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an apparatus including a
thermal unit, which may be inserted in an enclosure, in accordance
with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method of operating a thermal
container, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method of operating a thermal
container, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0016] In the following discussion, the same reference numbers are
used in the various embodiments to indicate the same or similar
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Embodiments of a thermal unit are described below, which may
include a cold source reservoir that is isolated from the items to
be chilled. In some embodiments, the cold source reservoir may
include dry ice or another cold source, and the thermal unit may
include a pump configured to circulate a fluid about a cold source
reservoir to chill the fluid and to circulate the chilled fluid
around a thermal tank to cool the items to be chilled. The fluid
may include a thermal fluid that may maintain its fluid, viscous
phase at temperatures below -109.degree. Fahrenheit (F.),i.e.,
below -79.degree. Celsius (C.), which is the freeze temperature of
dry ice. In a particular embodiment, the thermal fluid may include
propylene glycol, which is a viscous colorless liquid that is
nearly odorless but which possesses a faintly sweet taste.
Chemically, propylene glycol may be classified as a diol and is
miscible with a broad range of solvents, including water, acetone,
and chloroform. Propylene glycol is sometimes uses in food
processing as the E-number E1520 and is sometimes called
.alpha.-propylene glycol to distinguish it from the isomer
propane-1,3-diol (.beta.-propylene glycol). In some embodiments,
the thermal fluid may be an oil or other food safe fluid, such as a
mineral oil or other fluid. The thermal fluid may be selected from
a variety of different fluids based on heat transfer
characteristics that allow the fluid to be chilled to a temperature
that may be below a freeze temperature of water (i.e., below
32.degree. F. or 0.degree. C.) without changing phase. If dry ice
is used as the cold source, the thermal fluid should be selected to
have a freeze temperature that is below that of dry ice, i.e.,
below 109.degree. F.
[0018] In some embodiments, the thermal unit may further include a
plurality of temperature sensors. Additionally, the thermal unit
may include a control circuit coupled to the pump and to the
plurality of temperature sensors. In some embodiments, the thermal
unit may control the pump to adjust a flow rate of the thermal
fluid to cool the thermal tank to a selected temperature.
[0019] In some embodiments, the thermal unit may further include a
heating element, which may be coupled to or which may extend round
or near the thermal tank to radiate heat. In some embodiments, the
control circuit may be coupled to the heating element and may be
configured to selectively control the heating element to deliver
heat to the thermal tank when a temperature of the thermal tank
falls below a threshold temperature. In some embodiments, the
control circuit may selectively activate the heating element to
radiate heat when the measured temperature is below the selected
temperature and when a difference between the selected temperature
and the measured temperature of the thermal tank is greater than a
threshold. Other embodiments are also possible. One possible
example of a thermal container is described below with respect to
FIG. 1A.
[0020] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a thermal container 100, in
accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. The
thermal container 100 may include a housing 102 defining an
enclosure sized to receive items to be chilled, and may include a
lid 104, which may be coupled to the housing 102 by a hinge or
seal. In some embodiments, the hinge may be formed from
interlocking elements on the housing 102 and the lid 104. In other
embodiments, the hinge may be attached to the housing 102 and the
lid 104.
[0021] In some embodiments, the thermal container 100 may include a
thermal unit, which may be configured to selectively apply heat or
cold to a thermal tank to maintain the thermal tank at a selected
temperature. In some embodiments, the thermal container may include
a pump configured to circulate a thermal fluid from a cold source
reservoir to a thermal tank and back to provide a cooling effect to
the thermal tank. The thermal container 100 may further include a
control circuit coupled to the pump to control a rate of the flow
of the thermal fluid. The control circuit may also be configured to
selectively activate a thermal element to radiate heat to increase
a temperature of the thermal tank. In some embodiments, the thermal
unit may include or be coupled to a plurality of temperature
sensors, and the controller may selectively activate one of the
pump and the heating element in response to a measured
temperature.
[0022] FIG. 1B is a top view 120 of the thermal container 100 of
FIG. 1A including an open lid 104, in accordance with certain
embodiments of the present disclosure. The housing 102 defines an
enclosure 103, which is sized to include a cold source reservoir
124 and a chilled tank 122. The lid 104 may be hinged or otherwise
coupled to the housing 102 and configured to be closable to provide
a sealed enclosure. In some embodiments, the chilled tank 122 may
be spaced apart from the cold source reservoir 124, and a thermal
fluid may be used to transfer the cold to the chilled tank 122 and
to carry heat from the chilled tank 122. The thermal fluid may be
selected from a variety of fluids to transfer heat or cold to and
from the thermal tank 122. In some embodiments, the thermal fluid
may include propylene glycol.
[0023] The cold source reservoir 124 may include a removable lid to
allow access for insertion of a cold source, such as dry ice. The
cold source reservoir 124 may be thermally insulated to maintain
the temperature of the cold source. Further, tubing for circulation
of the thermal fluid may be insulated to prevent thermal
dissipation and to ensure delivery of the chilled fluid to the
thermal tank 122. Additionally, insulation may be provided around
the tubing and the thermal tank 122 to preserve the cold
temperature in the thermal tank 122.
[0024] In some embodiments, the thermal container 100 may include a
tube or pipe formed from a material that may allow for heat
transfer, which tube or pipe may provide a conduit for a thermal
fluid (e.g., propylene glycol). In some embodiments, the tube or
pipe may be wrapped around a circumference of the cold source
reservoir 124 to chill the thermal fluid and may be wrapped around
or in contact with at least a portion of the thermal tank 122 to
deliver the cold from the thermal fluid to the thermal tank 122. In
some embodiments, the tube or pipe may be flexible and may be
arranged along a bottom portion of the thermal tank 122 (outside of
the thermal tank 122). The tube or pipe may then extend back to the
cold source reservoir 124 to be chilled again. In some embodiments,
the thermal container 100 may include a pump coupled to the tube or
pipe and configured to circulate the thermal fluid through the
tube. Further, in some embodiments, the thermal container 100 may
include a control circuit to maintain a selected temperature in the
thermal tank 122. Additionally, in some embodiments, the thermal
unit may include a heating element coupled to the thermal tank 122,
which heating element may be selectively activated by a control
circuit. In some embodiments, the control circuit may selectively
control the pump and the heating element to maintain the thermal
tank 122 at a selected temperature setting.
[0025] In some embodiments, the control circuit may be coupled to
an interface, which may include a display and a keypad (or which
may couple to a computing device, such as a smart phone, a tablet
computer, or another computing device) and which may be accessed by
a user to configure the selected temperature. One possible example
of a thermal container including an interface is described below
with respect to FIG. 2A.
[0026] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a thermal container 200
including an interface 206 to control a chill temperature, in
accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. The
thermal container 200 may include a housing 202 coupled to a lid
204. The housing 202 and the lid 204 may define an enclosure sized
to receive items to be cooled. The thermal container 200 may
include all of the elements of the thermal container 100 in FIGS.
1A and 1B, and may include the interface 206 on an external surface
of the lid 204.
[0027] In some embodiments, the interface 206 may include a
touchscreen interface or a display and a keypad. In some
embodiments, the interface 206 may include a port or connector,
which may be coupled to a computing device, such as a smart phone,
a laptop computer or a tablet computer. In some embodiments, the
interface 206 may include a transceiver configured to communicate
wirelessly with a computing device, such as a smart phone, a laptop
computer or a tablet computer.
[0028] In some embodiments, a user may access the interface 206 to
program a temperature of the thermal container 200. A control
circuit coupled to the interface 206 may monitor one or more
temperature sensors associated with a thermal tank within the
thermal container 200 and may selectively adjust fluid flow between
the cold source reservoir and the thermal tank to maintain the
temperature of the thermal tank according to the selected
temperature. In some embodiments, the control circuit may maintain
the temperature within a temperature range around the selected
temperature. In a particular embodiments, if the temperature of the
thermal tank falls below a threshold temperature, which may be
defined as a delta relative to the selected temperature, the
control circuit may reverse the flow of the thermal fluid to warm
the thermal tank or may reduce the rate of flow of the thermal
fluid to prevent the thermal tank from becoming too cold.
[0029] FIG. 2B is a top view 220 of the thermal container 200
including an open lid 204 and including an interface 226 to control
a chill temperature, in accordance with certain embodiments of the
present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the thermal
container 200 may include a thermal tank 222 and a cold source
reservoir 224. Further, the thermal container 200 may include an
interface 226 inside of the thermal container 200, instead of or in
addition to the interface on the surface of the lid 204.
[0030] In some embodiments, the interface 226 may include a display
(in this case indicating a selected temperature of 45.degree. F.)
and a keypad. The interface 226 may be accessed to program a
selected temperature of the thermal tank 222, which temperature may
be maintained by controlling a rate of flow of a thermal fluid
between the cold source reservoir 224 and the thermal tank 222. In
some embodiments, the interface 226 may allow a user to configure
settings to adjust the rate of fluid flow based on at least one of
a temperature of the thermal tank, an outside temperature, a time
of day, and another parameter. In some embodiments, the interface
226 may provide information corresponding to a power level of a
battery or other power source configured to deliver power to the
control circuit and other components of the thermal unit. In a
particular illustrative example, the interface 226 may include a
power level indicator, such as a light emitting diode, an audio
indicator, another detectable indicator, or any combination
thereof, to alert a user that a power level of a power source is
low and may require recharge or replacement.
[0031] In the illustrated example, the lid 204 may be configured to
seal to the housing 202 to define the enclosure. In other
embodiments, the lid 204 may include a first portion configured to
form a seal with the thermal tank 222 and a second portion
configured to fit over the cold source reservoir 224 and the
interface 226. In some embodiments, a portion of the lid 204 may
include a vent or a one-way valve for heat and gas pressure
dissipation. Other embodiments are also possible.
[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the thermal tank 222 is
approximately 2/3rds of the volume of the enclosure within the
housing 222 and the cold source reservoir 224, the interface 226,
and associated circuitry and tubes may occupy approximately
1/3.sup.rd of the volume of the enclosure. However, in other
embodiments, the thermal tank 222 may be expanded to occupy a
larger percentage of the volume of the enclosure. In some
embodiments, the thermal tank 222 may occupy approximately ths of
the volume of the enclosure. In some embodiments, the cold source
reservoir 224, circuitry, pump, and interface 226 may occupy a
volume of approximately 10 cubic inches or less, and the thermal
tank 222 may occupy a remaining volume of the enclosure. In some
embodiments, the volume of the cold sourcing portion of the
apparatus may be scaled based on the size of the thermal tank
222.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a thermal container 300, in
accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. The
thermal container 300 may be an embodiment of the thermal container
100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B or of the thermal container 200 of FIGS. 2A
or 2B. The thermal container 300 may include a cold source
reservoir 302 including an enclosure 304 sized to receive a cold
source, such as dry ice or another cold source. The cold source
reservoir 302 may include an insulated body portion. A thermally
conductive tube 306 may be wrapped or coiled about the cold source
reservoir 302 and may be coupled to a thermally insulated tube 307,
which may extend to a thermal tank 308 defining an enclosure 310.
The thermal tank 308 may include an insulated body portion, which
may be wrapped by a thermally conductive coil 312 coupled to the
tube 307.
[0034] In some embodiments, the thermal container 300 may include a
reverse flow valve 309 that may be controlled by a control circuit
318 by a control signal sent via a control line (not shown) to
enable reverse fluid flow from the thermal tank 308 to the cold
source reservoir 302 when the ambient temperature or the
temperature in the thermal tank 308 falls below a threshold. In an
example, the reverse flow valve 309 may prevet the tube 307 from
freezing and the thermal tank 308 from damaging its contents.
[0035] The thermal container 300 may further include a cold fluid
reservoir 314 coupled to the thermally conductive coil 312 by a
tube 313, which may or may not be insulated. The cold fluid
reservoir 314 may be coupled to a pump 316 by a tube 315, and the
pump 316 may be coupled to a tube 317 that is coupled to the
thermally conductive tube 306. The pump 316 may also be
electrically coupled to a control circuit 318. In some embodiments,
the thermal container 300 may include one or more pumps.
[0036] In some embodiments, the control circuit 318 may be coupled
via a multiplexer 322 to one or more sensors 320 (labeled "S"),
which may be coupled to the thermal tank 308. Further, the control
circuit 318 may be coupled to an external temperature sensor 321
via the multiplexer 322. In some embodiments, the control circuit
318 may provide a selection signal to the multiplexer 322 to
selectively determine a temperature from one or more of the sensors
320 and 321. In some embodiments, the control circuit 318 may
monitor the temperature periodically.
[0037] In some embodiments, the control circuit 318 may be coupled
to an input/output (I/O) interface 324. The I/O interface 324 may
be coupled to a display 326 and a keypad 328. In some embodiments,
the display 326 and the keypad 328 may be combined in a touchscreen
interface. In some embodiments, the I/O interface 324 may be
communicatively coupled via a wired or wireless connection to an
external electronic device 332, such as a remote control circuit, a
smart phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, another
computing device, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments,
the electronic device 332 may configure temperature settings of the
thermal container 300, and the control circuit 318 may be
configured to selectively control the pump 316 to manage a rate of
fluid flow between the cold source reservoir 302 and the thermal
tank 308 based on the selected temperature settings. The control
circuit 318 may also be coupled to a heating element 336, which may
be selectively activated by electrical signals from the control
circuit 318 to radiate heat for warming the thermal tank 310.
[0038] In certain embodiments, the electronic device 332 may be a
computing device, such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop
computer, or another computing device. In an example, the control
circuit 318 may communicate data to the electronic device 332
through a wired connection (such as a Universal Serial Bus
connection) or through a wireless connection, such as a
Bluetooth.RTM. connection or other short-range wireless connection.
The electronic device 332 may present a graphical user interface
through which a user may view temperature and other parameters of
the thermal container 300 and may interact with the control circuit
318 to adjust one or more parameters, such as a temperature setting
of the thermal tank 308.
[0039] The thermal container 300 may include a power supply 330,
which may be coupled to the circuitry including the multiplexer
322, the control circuit 318, the I/O interface 324, the sensors
320 and 321, the keypad 328, and the display 326. In some
embodiments, the power supply 330 may include a battery. In some
embodiments, the power supply 330 may include a power circuit
configured to convert power from an outlet into a direct current
power supply to the various components. The thermal container 300
may also include a power monitor 334 coupled to the power supply
330 and to the I/O interface 324 (or to the control circuit 318).
In some embodiments, the power monitor 334 may provide a signal
indicating a power level of the power supply, which signal may be
used to control a light emitting diode (LED), a speaker, or another
element to provide a detectable indication of the power level. In
some examples, the power monitor 334 may cause an LED to light up,
to flash or may provide data that can be provided to the display
326, which may be indicative of the state of the power supply
334.
[0040] In certain embodiments, the control circuit 318 may control
the pump 316 to drive thermal fluid from the cold fluid reservoir
314 through the tubes 315 and 317 into the thermally conductive
tube 306, through the tube 307 into the thermally conductive tube
312, and through tube 313 back into the cold fluid reservoir. The
tubes 306, 307, 312, 313, 315, and 317 and the cold fluid reservoir
314 and pump 316 may form a sealed, closed-loop system through
which the thermal fluid may flow without directly contacting the
contents of the cold source reservoir 302 and without directly
contacting items within the thermal tank 308.
[0041] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an apparatus 400 including a
thermal unit 402, which may be inserted in an enclosure 404, in
accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. In
some embodiments, the thermal unit 402 may include the control
circuit 318 coupled to the pump 316 and to the heating element 336.
The control circuit 318 may also be coupled to the temperature
sensors 320, the power monitor 334, and the I/O interface 324. The
control circuit 318 may be configured to selectively control the
heating element 336 to radiate heat via a heating ribbon or strip
432, which may be flexible and which may extend into the enclosure
404. The control circuit 318 may be configured to selectively
control the pump 316 to circulate thermal fluid from the thermal
fluid reservoir 314 to the cold source reservoir 302 and through
tubing 307, a portion of which may extend into the enclosure 404.
In some embodiments, the tubing 307 may include a first portion
406, which may be wrapped about a surface of the cold source
reservoir 302. The tubing 307 may also include a second portion
408, which may extend within the enclosure proximate to items to be
cooled and which may be flexible.
[0042] It should be understood that the thermal unit 402 may be an
embodiment of the cooling and heating features of the thermal
container 300 in FIG. 3, except that the thermal unit 402 may be a
stand-alone apparatus. In this example, the thermal unit 402 may be
inserted into a thermal container, such as a cooler made by another
company, and the second portion 408 of the tubing 307 and the
heating ribbon or strip 432 may be extended within the enclosure
proximate to the items to be maintained at a selected
temperature.
[0043] In some embodiments, the control circuit 318 may compare a
temperature of the enclosure (determined from temperature sensors
320) to a temperature setting received from the I/O interface 324
and to a threshold. In some embodiments, the control circuit 318
may selectively activate one of the pump 316 and the heating
element 336 or may selectively deactivate the one based on the
comparison. Other embodiments are also possible.
[0044] In some embodiments, the second portion of the tubing 307
and the heating strip or ribbon 432 may be coated with an
antibacterial coating to prevent bacterial contamination of items
to be chilled or heated. In some embodiments, the control circuit
318 may utilize multiple thresholds or temperature ranges to
maintain the temperature of the enclosure within a temperature
range of the selected temperature.
[0045] In some embodiments, the ambient temperature may be lower
than the selected temperature of the enclosure. In some
embodiments, the controller 318 may be coupled to an ambient
temperature sensor, such as temperature sensor 321 in FIG. 3. The
controller 318 may selectively activate the heating element or the
cooling element based on a change in temperature over time and
based, at least in part, on the ambient temperature. Other
embodiments are also possible.
[0046] FIG. 5 is flow diagram of a method 500 of operating a
thermal container, in accordance with certain embodiments of the
present disclosure. At 502, an input corresponding to a temperature
setting is received. The input may be received from a computing
device (such as a smart phone or other computing device) or from a
touchscreen or keypad type of interface provided on a surface of
the thermal container.
[0047] At 504, the method 500 may include determining a temperature
associated with a thermal tank. The temperature may be determined
from one or more temperature sensors associated with the thermal
tank. In a particular embodiment, at least one of the temperature
sensors may be a radiant temperature sensor configured to determine
an ambient temperature of the thermal tank based on the air
temperature. In an embodiment, the radiant temperature sensor may
include a black-globe type of thermometer or another type of
temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the
thermal tank.
[0048] At 506, the method 500 may include determining if the
temperature is greater than a temperature setting. If the
temperature is greater than the temperature setting, the method 500
may include selectively controlling a pump to increase circulation
of a thermal fluid from a dry ice reservoir through tubing to the
thermal tank, at 508. The method 500 may then return to 504 to
determine a temperature of the thermal tank.
[0049] Returning to 506, if the temperature is less than the
temperature setting at 506, the method 500 may include selectively
controlling the pump to adjust a flow rate of the thermal fluid
510. In some embodiments, the pump may be controlled to slow, stop,
or even reverse the flow rate of the thermal fluid 510.
[0050] In an alternative embodiment, the method 500 may further
include determining if the temperature falls below a second
threshold. The second threshold may be a temperature that is an
offset or delta from the temperature setting. For example, the
second threshold may be calculated from the selected temperature
(T.sub.SET) as follows:
T.sub.Threshold=T.sub.SET-.DELTA.T (1)
where the delta (.DELTA.T) defines a range relative to the selected
temperature. If the measured temperature falls below this
calculated threshold, the control circuit may slow, stop, or
reverse the flow of the thermal fluid to warm the thermal tank.
Other embodiments are also possible.
[0051] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method 600 of operating a
thermal container, in accordance with certain embodiments of the
present disclosure. In some embodiments, the method 600 may include
determining a temperature associated with a thermal tank, at 602.
The temperature may be associated with an enclosure of a thermal
container, such as an insulated cooler or with a thermal tank sized
to fit within the enclosure. Other embodiments are also
possible.
[0052] The method 600 may further include determining if the
temperature of the thermal tank is greater than a selected
temperature, at 604. If the temperature is greater than the
selected temperature, the method 600 may include controlling a pump
to circulate a thermal fluid between a cold source and the thermal
tank to cool the thermal tank, at 606. If, at 608, the temperature
of the thermal tank continues to be greater than the selected
temperature, the method 600 returns to 606 to control the pump to
circulate a thermal fluid between a cold source and the thermal
tank to cool the thermal tank. Returning to 608, if the temperature
is less than the selected temperature, the method 600 may include
deactivating or adjusting the pump to adjust circulation of the
thermal fluid, at 610. The method 600 may then return to 602 to
determine the temperature associated with the thermal tank.
[0053] Returning to 604, if the thermal tank temperature is less
than the selected temperature 604, the method 600 may include
determining if a difference between the selected temperature and
the tank temperature is greater than a threshold, at 612. If not,
the method 600 returns to 604 to determine if the thermal tank
temperature is greater than the selected temperature. The loop
presented by 604 and 612 allows the thermal tank to stay within a
temperature range until the ambient temperature either cools the
thermal tank to a temperature that is outside of the temperature or
heats the thermal tank to a temperature that is above the selected
temperature.
[0054] At 612, if the difference is greater than the threshold, the
method 600 may include controlling a heating element to warm the
thermal tank, at 614. In some embodiments, the heating element may
be a wire, a strip, or another component configured to radiate heat
in response to an electrical signal. In some embodiments, the
heating element may be controlled by a control circuit (control
circuit) configured to maintain a temperature of a thermal tank. At
616, if the thermal tank temperature is greater than the threshold
and less than the selected temperature, the method 600 may
deactivate the heating element at 618 and may return to 602 to
determine the temperature of the thermal tank. Otherwise, if the
thermal tank temperature is still outside of the temperature range,
the method 600 returns to 614 to control the heating element.
[0055] In some embodiments, a thermal unit may be configured to
maintain an internal temperature of a thermal tank or enclosure at
approximately a selected temperature by selectively applying
heating or cooling. In a particular embodiment, a control circuit
of the thermal unit may maintain the temperature within a
pre-determined threshold range of the selected temperature. In some
embodiments, the thermal unit may be installed in a thermal
enclosure defined by a portable cooler. In some embodiments, the
thermal unit may be integrated in a portable cooler housing. Other
embodiments are also possible.
[0056] In conjunction with the thermal containers and methods
described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-6, a thermal unit may
include a cold source reservoir, tubing and a pump configured to
deliver a cooling effect to a selected area. The thermal unit may
further include a heating element configured to deliver a heating
effect to the selected area. The thermal unit may further include a
control circuit coupled to the pump and to the heating element and
configured to selectively control at least one of the pump and the
heating element to maintain the selected area at a desired
temperature. The thermal unit may include one or more temperature
sensors coupled to the control circuit. Further, in some
embodiments, the thermal unit may include an interface, such as a
touchscreen, a keypad and display, a transceiver, or another
interface accessible by a user (either through touch or via an
external electronic device, such as a remote control, a smart phone
or other computing device) to configure temperature settings. In
some embodiments, the interface may provide information including a
temperature, power supply information, and other information.
[0057] In some embodiments, the thermal unit may be installed into
an existing cooler, such as a portable cooler that can be carried
or that can be moved about on wheels. In some embodiments, the
thermal unit may be installed into a cooler enclosure within a
vehicle, such as a fishing boat, a car, or another form of
transportation. In some embodiments, the thermal unit may include a
thermal tank having a smaller volume than the internal volume of a
standard thermal container, but which may provide a larger volume
for securing items to be chilled because the cooling source may be
separate from the thermal tank. When a standard thermal container
is filled with ice, the ice may occupy a large portion of the
available volume. By separating the cooling source from the thermal
tank, the volume of the thermal tank may be used exclusively to
secure items to be chilled. Moreover, the items to be chilled may
be isolated from the cooling source, reducing contamination from
bacteria or other contaminants, which might otherwise be floating
with the melted ice in the cold water.
[0058] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will
recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without
departing from the scope of the invention.
* * * * *