Unit Load Device With Phase Change Material for Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unit load devices for transporting temperature-sensitive articles are bulky, heavy, and costly, with inefficiencies in temperature control and manufacturing, and often require unnecessary refrigeration components.
Innovation Solution
A unit load device equipped with a housing and cover featuring phase change materials for temperature control, optionally reinforced with porous foamed metals, and a refrigeration unit, allowing for efficient temperature maintenance within a preset range, with the option for detachable and replaceable temperature control layers and a thermal insulation layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If refrigeration devices including compressors, condensers, expansion valves, and evaporators are used to control storage environment temperature, then the temperature control time is long and the control effect is good, but the space occupied is relatively large and the overall weight is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase change materials (PCM) that undergo phase transitions (solid-liquid) at specific temperatures to absorb or release latent heat, thereby maintaining the storage environment temperature within a preset range. This eliminates the need for heavy mechanical refrigeration components while achieving effective temperature control through the thermal energy storage and release during phase change processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the heavy mechanical refrigeration components (compressors, condensers, expansion valves, evaporators) from the unit load device, replacing them with a simpler phase change material-based temperature control system. This extraction reduces the overall weight and occupied space while maintaining the essential temperature control function.
2Temperature
If refrigeration devices including compressors, condensers, expansion valves, and evaporators are used to control storage environment temperature, then the temperature control time is long and the control effect is good, but the space occupied is relatively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase change materials that undergo solid-liquid phase transitions to provide long-duration temperature control. The latent heat absorption during melting and heat release during freezing extend the temperature control time significantly compared to passive insulation alone, while occupying much less space than active refrigeration systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the bulky mechanical refrigeration system components, replacing them with compact phase change material containers that occupy minimal space within the unit load device while providing effective temperature control.
3Weight of moving object
If phase change materials are used for temperature control, then the weight and space are reduced, but the temperature control precision and reliability may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the phase change material system into multiple independent temperature control layers or modules distributed throughout the storage space. Each layer can be independently selected with different phase change materials targeting specific temperature ranges, ensuring reliable temperature control across the entire storage environment and allowing redundancy if one module fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite structures combining phase change materials with thermal conductivity enhancement materials or phase change material-encapsulating matrices. These composite materials improve the thermal response speed and temperature distribution uniformity, enhancing the reliability and precision of temperature control while maintaining the weight advantages of phase change materials.
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 provides a lightweight, cost-effective, and efficient temperature control system that maintains a stable internal environment for extended periods, enhancing the reliability and redundancy of temperature control while reducing overall costs through the use of phase change materials and flexible configuration options.
Implementation Method 1
the housing is provided with a housing temperature control layer containing at least a first phase change material, and/or the cover is provided with a cover temperature control layer containing at least a second phase change material, so that during storage of articles in the internal space hermetically closed by the cover, a temperature of the internal space is within a preset temperature range
Implementation Method 2
the first rigid reinforcement material or the second rigid reinforcement material includes a porous foamed metal
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a unit load device and a method for storing and transporting articles. The unit load device includes: a housing defining an internal space and an opening to the internal space; and a cover configured to operably open or hermetically close the opening; wherein the housing is provided with a housing temperature control layer containing at least a first phase change material, and/or the cover is provided with a cover temperature control layer containing at least a second phase change material, so that during storage of articles in the internal space hermetically closed by the cover, a temperature of the internal space is within a preset temperature range after a preset period of time has elapsed.