Controlled-environment cargo container

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling the environment of cargo through lateral ventilation. The method provides for a controlled fluid to be supplied into a cargo compartment having a lateral portion, the fluid being supplied through a vent in a supply-conduit adjacent the lateral portion. In practice, this result can be achieved by building a structure that encloses a cargo compartment having a lateral portion, running a supply-conduit adjacent the lateral portion, connecting the supply-conduit to receive a controlled fluid from outside the cargo compartment, and conducting the fluid into the cargo compartment through a vent in the supply-conduit. On mixing with the environment within the cargo compartment, the fluid will influence components of the environment, for example the humidity and the temperature.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a. a structure that defines a cargo compartment having a lateral portion,    b. a supply-conduit adjacent the lateral portion and adapted to receive therewithin a fluid from outside the cargo compartment, and    c. a vent through the supply-conduit adapted to conduct the fluid within the supply-conduit into the cargo compartment.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a controller having an input port adapted to receive a fluid and an output port adapted to supply the received fluid, wherein the output port is connected to supply fluid to the supply-conduit and the controller is operable to urge an environmental-component of the supplied fluid toward a desired value.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the environmental component is temperature.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the environmental component is humidity.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a return-conduit having a first end connected to the cargo compartment and a second end connected to the input port of the controller and operable to conduct fluid from the cargo compartment to the controller.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , further comprising a pump connected in series with the controller, the supply-conduit, and the return conduit and operable to urge fluid therethrough.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the fluid comprises air.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the cargo compartment further includes a corrugated floor.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the vent is elongated and substantially vertical.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the vent extends substantially from the top of the cargo compartment to the bottom of the cargo compartment.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the vent defines a plurality of holes through the supply-conduit adapted to conduct the fluid within the supply-conduit into the cargo compartment.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the vent defines an elongated slot through the supply-conduit adapted to conduct the fluid within the supply-conduit into the cargo compartment.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as claimed in either  claim 11  or  claim 12 , wherein the interior cross-section of the supply-conduit varies inversely with the distance between the cross-section and the fluid supply as measured along the longitudinal axis of the supply-conduit.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the supply-conduit is formed integrally from the structure.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the supply-conduit is separate from the structure.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the supply-conduit is attached to the lateral portion of the cargo compartment.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as claimed in either  claim 14  or  claim 15 , wherein the supply-conduit is substantially within the cargo compartment.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as claimed in either  claim 14  or  claim 15 , wherein the supply-conduit is substantially outside the cargo compartment.  
     
     
         19 . A method, comprising supplying a controlled fluid into a cargo compartment having a lateral portion, wherein the fluid is supplied through a vent in a supply-conduit adjacent the lateral portion.  
     
     
         20 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , further comprising controlling the temperature of the fluid.  
     
     
         21 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , further comprising controlling the humidity of the fluid.  
     
     
         22 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , further comprising extracting the fluid from the cargo compartment.  
     
     
         23 . A method as claimed in  claim 22 , further comprising recirculating the fluid.  
     
     
         24 . A method as claimed in  claim 23 , further comprising pumping the fluid.  
     
     
         25 . A method as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein supplying a fluid comprises supplying air.  
     
     
         26 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the fluid is supplied at more than one elevation within the cargo compartment.  
     
     
         27 . A method as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the fluid is supplied at a plurality of discrete elevations within the cargo compartment.  
     
     
         28 . A method as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the fluid is supplied substantially continuously between an upper elevation and a lower elevation within the cargo container.  
     
     
         29 . A method as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein a substantially similar volume of fluid is supplied at each of the more than one elevations within the cargo compartment.  
     
     
         30 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the fluid is supplied through a supply-conduit formed integrally from the structure forming of the cargo compartment.  
     
     
         31 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the fluid is supplied through a supply-conduit separate from the structure that forms the cargo compartment.  
     
     
         32 . A method as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the supply-conduit is attached to the lateral portion of the cargo compartment.  
     
     
         33 . A method as claimed in either  claim 30  or  claim 31 , wherein the fluid is supplied through a supply-conduit substantially within the cargo compartment.  
     
     
         34 . A method as claimed in either  claim 30  or  claim 31 , wherein the fluid is supplied through a supply-conduit substantially outside the cargo compartment.