Aeronautic Thermo-Controlled Container With PCM Insulated Walls
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft containers for shipping sensitive products face challenges in reducing weight and hindrance while maintaining thermal regulation, autonomy, and compliance with regulations, leading to increased CO2 footprint and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
Aircraft containers with lightweight, thermally insulated walls using non-metallic composite materials and low-consumption thermal control systems, integrated solar panels, and optimized battery placement to reduce weight and hindrance, enhancing flexibility and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If thick thermal isolating material is used to maintain temperature control, then thermal regulation performance is improved, but container weight increases and loading volume decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining Phase Change Material (PCM) with thermal isolating material in a layered structure. The PCM layer (5-15 cm) provides active thermal regulation through phase change, while the thermal isolating material layer (2-5 cm) provides passive insulation, creating a synergistic composite wall structure that achieves superior temperature control with reduced total thickness compared to conventional thick insulation alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase change parameter of PCM materials to actively regulate temperature. The PCM absorbs or releases latent heat during phase transition (melting/freezing), dynamically adjusting the thermal properties of the container walls to maintain internal temperature within the desired range, thereby improving temperature control performance without requiring excessive insulation thickness.
2Reliability
If active thermal regulation system is added to control temperature, then temperature control reliability is improved, but container weight increases due to additional components and batteries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-regulating thermal system where PCM materials automatically absorb excess heat when temperature rises (melting phase) and release heat when temperature drops (freezing phase). This passive active regulation requires no external power source, control electronics, or heavy batteries, achieving reliable temperature control while minimizing added weight compared to conventional active refrigeration systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits the phase transition properties of PCM materials as the core mechanism for active thermal regulation. During daytime or warm conditions, PCM melts absorbing latent heat to prevent overheating; during nighttime or cold conditions, PCM freezes releasing latent heat to prevent cooling. This phase change mechanism provides reliable temperature control without requiring heavy active refrigeration equipment.
3Temperature
If efficient passive thermal isolation is used, then thermal performance is improved, but container weight and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite wall structure combining PCM and thermal isolating material in specific thickness ratios. The PCM layer (5-15 cm) provides dynamic thermal regulation through phase change, reducing the required thickness of passive thermal isolating material (2-5 cm). This composite approach achieves superior thermal performance with reduced total wall thickness compared to conventional thick insulation, thereby preserving more internal loading volume.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If container weight is reduced to decrease CO2 footprint, then environmental performance is improved, but thermal regulation capability and structural strength may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite wall structure with PCM and thermal isolating material that provides high thermal regulation performance per unit thickness. This allows reduction of overall wall thickness and container weight compared to conventional thick insulation, decreasing CO2 footprint during air transportation while maintaining adequate thermal regulation capability through the active phase change mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the latent heat parameter of PCM materials to enhance thermal regulation capability without proportionally increasing weight. The phase change process absorbs/releases large amounts of heat at constant temperature, providing efficient thermal control with lighter weight compared to conventional sensible heat storage materials, thereby reducing CO2 footprint while maintaining thermal regulation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution achieves a 10-40% weight reduction, improved thermal conductivity, and increased autonomy, allowing cost-effective and reliable shipment of sensitive products without additional infrastructure, reducing CO2 emissions and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
Passive means include for example Phase Changing Material (PCM)
Implementation Method 2
thermal isolating materials, such a polyurethan or equivalent material, which is combined to the walls of the container
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a
AI summary
The present invention relates to a thermo controlled container (1) for aircrafts having compact batteries with a low consumption temperature control system and a high performance thermal isolation. The present invention also describes a process for the manufacture of such a container.