Refrigerated container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional galley chillers used in aircraft for maintaining airline meals at low temperatures are heavy, noisy, consume significant power, and occupy valuable space, leading to increased costs and reduced payload capacity.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained container system with a cold tray and fan module that uses phase change materials and insulation to maintain the interior temperature below 7°C for extended periods without the need for active mechanical refrigeration units, reducing weight, noise, and space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional galley chillers with mechanical refrigeration units are used, then food items can be maintained at low temperatures, but the weight of the aircraft increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the mechanical refrigeration unit from the galley chiller system, retaining only the essential cooling function. The cart cooling system eliminates the compressor, condenser, and expansion valve components, using passive insulation and simplified air circulation instead, thereby significantly reducing weight while maintaining food temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical refrigeration system with a non-mechanical cooling approach. Instead of using a compressor-driven refrigeration cycle, the system uses insulated cart construction combined with portable ice packs or frozen gel packs that provide cooling through phase change, eliminating heavy mechanical components while maintaining effective temperature control.
2Temperature
If conventional galley chillers with mechanical refrigeration units are used, then food items can be maintained at low temperatures, but noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the noise-generating mechanical refrigeration components (compressor, fan, motor) from the galley chiller system. The simplified cooling system uses passive thermal insulation and portable cooling packs that operate silently, eliminating the primary sources of noise while maintaining effective food temperature control throughout the flight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the noisy mechanical refrigeration system with a silent cooling method using phase-change materials (ice packs or frozen gel packs). These passive cooling elements require no motors or fans, providing quiet operation that enhances passenger comfort while maintaining safe food temperatures.
3Temperature
If conventional galley chillers with mechanical refrigeration units are used, then food items can be maintained at low temperatures, but space in the galley is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the bulky mechanical refrigeration unit, condenser, and associated ducting from the galley chiller system. The resulting simplified cart design with basic insulation and portable cooling packs occupies significantly less space in the galley area, increasing the available area for passenger seating while maintaining effective food cooling capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the space-consuming mechanical refrigeration system with a compact cooling solution using insulated cart construction and portable cooling packs. This substitution eliminates the need for large ducting systems and mechanical components, freeing up valuable galley space that can be converted into additional passenger seating area.
4Temperature
If conventional galley chillers with mechanical refrigeration units are used, then food items can be maintained at low temperatures, but manufacturing and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex mechanical refrigeration components (compressor, condenser, expansion device, control systems) from the galley chiller system. The simplified design using basic insulation and portable cooling packs dramatically reduces manufacturing complexity and cost, while still achieving effective food temperature maintenance throughout the flight duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the expensive mechanical refrigeration system with a cost-effective cooling solution using standard insulation materials and commercially available portable cooling packs. This substitution eliminates the need for specialized mechanical components and complex installation procedures, significantly reducing both manufacturing and installation costs while maintaining reliable food cooling.
5Temperature
If conventional galley chillers with mechanical refrigeration units are used, then food items can be maintained at low temperatures, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the high-power mechanical refrigeration unit from the galley chiller system. The simplified cooling system using passive insulation and portable ice packs or frozen gel packs requires minimal or no electrical power, eliminating the 4 kilowatts of power consumption associated with conventional mechanical refrigeration while maintaining effective food temperature control.
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 system effectively maintains food items at safe temperatures for up to 15 hours while minimizing weight, noise, and operational costs, and reduces the need for complex refrigeration systems, enhancing passenger comfort and aircraft efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A self-contained container system with a cold tray and fan module that uses phase change materials
Implementation Method 2
uses phase change materials and insulation to maintain the interior temperature below 7°C for extended periods
Implementation Method 3
uses phase change materials and insulation to maintain the interior temperature below 7°C for extended periods
Implementation Method 4
A self-contained container system with a cold tray and fan module
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A cold tray (80) for a container may have an interior. The cold tray may include a cold tray housing (82) mountable within the container interior. A refrigerant (88) may be mounted to the cold tray housing (82). An air flow source (132) may be fluidly connectable to the cold tray housing (82) and may draw air from the container interior into the cold tray housing (82) such that the air passes over the refrigerant (88) and is discharged back into the container interior.