Thermally insulated aerodynamic container for transporting biological materials on an unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of thermally insulated transport containers and can be used for transporting biological materials, primarily blood samples and other biological media, including when the container is placed on the external sling of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The technical result consists in maintaining the required temperature regime in the internal volume at external temperatures from -30°C to +40°C. The container comprises a streamlined body (1) and a lid (2) made of carbon fiber. A heat-insulating frame (3) made of extruded polystyrene foam is located inside the body. The lid is also thermally insulated and fits tightly to the body through a seal (4). Dimensions: length ≤475 mm, width ≤240 mm, height ≤215 mm. A tray for 100 test tubes or a combined load is provided inside. The fastening element (5) ensures installation on a UAV.

Description

[0001] Field of technology to which the utility model belongs

[0002] The utility model relates to the field of thermally insulated transport containers and can be used for transporting biological materials, primarily blood samples and other biological media, including when the container is placed on the external sling of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

[0003] Technology Level

[0004] Various insulated containers for transporting biological materials are available. Common solutions utilize low-thermal-conductivity materials for insulation and seals to ensure a tight seal.

[0005] A watertight container for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is known from patent literature. The container comprises a housing with an opening, a watertight door, and an elastic seal placed between the housing and the door to ensure a hermetic seal [EP 3800121 A1, published April 7, 2021]. A disadvantage of this solution is the lack of specialized thermal insulation to maintain a stable temperature inside the container over a wide range of external temperatures, which is critical for transporting heat-sensitive biological materials.

[0006] A drone delivery container is also known, comprising an outer sealed container made of elastic material and a shock-absorbing part with an air chamber for holding the cargo [US 12157620 B2, published 03.12.2024]. This solution is aimed at protecting the cargo from impacts and moisture, but does not address the issue of ensuring aerodynamic stability of flight and is not optimized for placement on an external sling.

[0007] A device for an external container for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is known, having an aerodynamic shape and attached to the bottom of the UAV [AU 2019325249 A1, published 06 / 30 / 2022]. Although this solution takes into account aerodynamic requirements, it does not describe the design of thermal insulation capable of ensuring the safety of biomaterials at extreme temperatures.

[0008] The closest analogue (prototype) to the claimed utility model can be considered a cargo delivery container, designed for dropping from an aircraft, which may have thermal insulation properties and contains a body and a lid [US 11718404 B2, published 08.08.2023]. However, known analogues, including the prototype, are not adapted for operation on the external sling of aircraft, taking into account strict restrictions on weight and dimensions, and, as a rule, do not provide a combination of the following factors:

[0009] Placement of a significant number of samples (at least 100 tubes);

[0010] compliance with strict dimensional restrictions due to installation on a UAV;

[0011] critically low weight of the structure (no more than 1000 g);

[0012] Ensuring aerodynamic stability and minimizing drag;

[0013] Maintaining the required temperature regime in a wide range of external temperatures (from -30°C to +40°C) during the entire transportation period (up to 4 hours).

[0014] Disclosure of the essence of the utility model

[0015] The technical objective of the utility model is to create a heat-insulated container that is free from the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0016] The technical result consists in maintaining the required temperature regime in the internal volume at external temperatures from -30°C to +40°C.

[0017] The technical result is achieved in that a heat-insulated aerodynamic container for transporting biological materials on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprises an outer casing, a cover and an element for fastening to the UAV, the outer casing and the cover are made of a composite carbon material, and a heat-insulating frame made of extruded polystyrene foam is placed inside the casing, the cover is made with a heat-insulating layer of extruded polystyrene foam and, when closed, fits tightly, without gaps, to the casing by means of a sealant, the frame is fixed using polyurethane foam adhesive.

[0018] According to the utility model, the heat-insulated aerodynamic container is made with a streamlined shape, its outer body and lid are made of composite carbon material (carbon), and inside the body there is a heat-insulating frame made of extruded polystyrene foam, while the overall dimensions of the container are limited to the following values: length - no more than 475 mm, width - no more than 240 mm, height - no more than 215 mm.

[0019] The container's lid also provides thermal insulation, as it contains a layer of the same material—extruded polystyrene foam—as the body's insulating frame. This ensures uniform thermal insulation throughout the entire interior and prevents the formation of areas with reduced thermal insulation ("cold bridges") in the lid area. The lid is removable and, when closed, fits tightly against the body around the entire perimeter, without gaps, thanks to a seal. This design ensures a sealed interior, preventing convective heat exchange with the outside environment and the ingress of moisture, dust, and insects.

[0020] In particular cases of implementation, the utility model is characterized by the fact that:

[0021] The fastening element is U-shaped;

[0022] The container is equipped with carrying straps;

[0023] Inside the heat-insulating frame there is a tray for placing at least 100 test tubes with a diameter of 13 mm and a height of 100 mm;

[0024] The tray is designed with the possibility of combined transportation of up to 40 test tubes and up to 4 additional containers up to 62 mm high and up to 55 mm in diameter.

[0025] List of drawing figures

[0026] The essence of the utility model is explained by drawings, in which:

[0027] Fig. 1 - isometric view, general view of the container in the closed position;

[0028] Fig. 2 - isometric view, general view of the container in the open position;

[0029] Fig. 3 - longitudinal section of the container with designation of positions in the open position;

[0030] Fig. 4 - cross-section of the container with designation of positions in the open position;

[0031] Fig. 5 - longitudinal section of the container with designation of positions in the closed position;

[0032] Fig. 6 - cross-section of the container with position markings in the closed position.

[0033] Thermo-insulated container contains:

[0034] 1 - outer casing;

[0035] 2 - cover;

[0036] 3 - heat-insulating frame;

[0037] 4 - seal;

[0038] 5 - UAV mounting element;

[0039] Implementation of a utility model

[0040] The insulated container (Fig. 1-6) comprises an outer casing (1), a cover (2), a heat-insulating frame (3), a seal (4) and a fastening element (5) to the UAV.

[0041] The outer casing (1), cover (2), and fastening element (5) are made primarily of carbon composite material (carbon). The use of carbon provides: reduced structural weight; increased specific rigidity; resistance to vibration and temperature changes; and mechanical strength with minimal wall thickness.

[0042] The outer casing (1) is a rigid, streamlined spatial structure that reduces turbulence and minimizes additional aerodynamic loads when used externally on a UAV. The container's overall dimensions are limited to the following maximum values: length - no more than 475 mm; width - no more than 240 mm; height - no more than 215 mm. These restrictions are due to the requirements for container placement on a UAV.

[0043] The housing (1) houses a thermal insulation frame (3), made primarily of extruded polystyrene foam. This material has a low density (reducing weight), low thermal conductivity, sufficient rigidity to support test tubes, and moisture resistance, allowing for the creation of desired tray configurations without thermal bridges.

[0044] The lid (2) is completely removable. To ensure uniform thermal insulation of the entire interior, the lid (2) also contains a heat-insulating layer made of the same material as the frame (3) – extruded polystyrene foam. The lid (2) is designed to hermetically seal the upper opening of the housing (1). A seal (4) is installed between the lid (2) and the housing (1), which, when closed, ensures a tight, gap-free fit of the lid (2) to the housing (1) along the entire perimeter, guaranteeing a complete seal of the interior.

[0045] The container is designed to accommodate at least 100 test tubes with a diameter of approximately 13 mm and a height of approximately 100 mm. Alternatively, the container is designed for combined transportation: up to 40 blood tubes of the specified size and up to 4 additional containers for other biological fluids (e.g., urine) with maximum dimensions of up to 62 mm in height and 55 mm in diameter. For this purpose, a support is installed in the interior to secure the containers. If necessary, cooling pads can be placed in the interior.

[0046] The mounting element (5) can be U-shaped or of a different design depending on the UAV type. For ease of transportation by the operator prior to installation on the drone, the container can be additionally equipped with carrying straps.

[0047] The container is assembled by installing the thermal insulation frame (3) into the outer casing (1). The frame is secured with polyurethane foam adhesive, which further enhances the thermal insulation properties. A seal (4) is placed around the perimeter of the casing (1) and lid (2).

[0048] The design ensures the required internal temperature is maintained during operation in ambient temperatures ranging from -30°C to +40°C for transport periods of up to 3-4 hours. The container's operability within this range has been experimentally confirmed.

Claims

1. A thermally insulated aerodynamic container for transporting biological materials on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising an outer casing, a lid, and an element for attaching to the UAV; the outer casing and lid are made of a composite carbon material, and a heat-insulating frame made of extruded polystyrene foam is placed inside the casing; the lid is made with a heat-insulating layer of extruded polystyrene foam and, when closed, fits tightly, without gaps, to the casing by means of a seal; the frame is fixed using polyurethane foam adhesive.

2. A container according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the overall dimensions of the container are: length - no more than 475 mm, width - no more than 240 mm, height - no more than 215 mm.

3. The container according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the fastening element is U-shaped.

4. The container according to paragraph 1, characterized in that it is equipped with carrying straps.

5. A container according to paragraph 1, characterized in that a tray for placing at least 100 test tubes with a diameter of 13 mm and a height of 100 mm is made inside the heat-insulating frame.

6. The container according to paragraph 5, characterized in that the tray is designed with the possibility of combined transportation of up to 40 test tubes and up to 4 additional containers up to 62 mm high and up to 55 mm in diameter.

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