Sorption cooling devices

Abstract

Novel sorption cooling devices capable of providing cooling over an extended period of time are disclosed. The sorption cooling devices are particularly useful for temperature-controlled shipping containers that are required to maintain a temperature below ambient for a time sufficient to complete delivery of the container and its contents. The shipping containers can be utilized to cost-effectively transport temperature-sensitive products.

1 - 70 . (Cancelled).  
     
     
         71 . A sorption cooling device, comprising: 
 a) an evaporator for providing cooling;    b) an absorber adapted to absorb vapor formed in said evaporator; and    c) a vapor passageway adapted to permit vapor flow from said evaporator to said absorber, wherein said vapor passageway comprises a thermally insulating material having a thermal resistance of at least about 2.8 K·M 2 /W at a pressure of about 4 mbar.    
     
     
         72 . A sorption cooling device as recited in  claim 71 , wherein said thermally insulating material comprises open-cell foam material.  
     
     
         73 . A sorption cooling device as recited in  claim 71 , wherein said thermally insulating material comprises polyurethane open-cell foam.  
     
     
         74 . A sorption cooling device as recited in  claim 71 , wherein said thermally insulating material comprises polystyrene open-cell foam.  
     
     
         75 . A sorption cooling device as recited in  claim 71 , wherein said thermally insulating material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of fiberglass and porous silica.  
     
     
         76 . A sorption cooling device as recited in  claim 71 , wherein said vapor passageway comprises said thermally insulating material having a plurality of apertures therethrough to provide vapor communication between said evaporator and said absorber.  
     
     
         77 . A sorption cooling device as recited in  claim 76 , wherein none of said apertures are immediately adjacent to said liquid inlet.  
     
     
         78 . A sorption cooling device as recited in  claim 76 , wherein the number of said apertures in said thermally insulative material increases as the distance between said liquid inlet and said apertures increases and no apertures are located immediately adjacent to said liquid inlet.  
     
     
         79 . A sorption cooling device as recited in  claim 76 , wherein said apertures are substantially cylindrical.  
     
     
         80 . A sorption cooling device as recited in  claim 76 , wherein said apertures are substantially cylindrical and wherein the diameter of said cylindrical apertures is from about 0.8 mm to about 6.4 mm.  
     
     
         81 . A sorption cooling device as recited in  claim 76 , wherein said apertures are substantially cylindrical and wherein the ratio of the length of said apertures to the cylindrical diameter of said apertures is from about 50:1 to about 4:1.  
     
     
         82 . A sorption cooling device as recited in  claim 71 , wherein said thermally insulating material has a thermal resistance of at least about 4 K·m M2N at a pressure of about 4 mbar.  
     
     
         83 . A sorption cooling device as recited in  claim 71 , wherein said thermally insulating material has a thermal resistance of at least about 6.5 K·m 2  W.  
     
     
         84 . A sorption cooling device as recited in  claim 71 , wherein said evaporator comprises a planar evaporative surface and further comprising a liquid inlet is disposed on a perimeter of said planar evaporative surface.  
     
     
         85 . A sorption cooling device as recited in  claim 71 , wherein said thermally insulative material comprises a plurality of apertures and the concentration of said apertures in said thermally insulative material is substantially non-uniform.  
     
     
         86 . A sorption cooling device as recited in  claim 85 , wherein the concentration of apertures in said thermally insulative material increases as the distance from said liquid inlet increases.  
     
     
         87 . A sorption cooling device as recited in  claim 71 , wherein said thermally insulative material comprises a plurality of apertures and the diameter of apertures in said thermally insulative material increases as the distance from said liquid inlet increases.  
     
     
         88 . A temperature-controlled shipping container incorporating a sorption cooling device as recited in  claim 71 .  
     
     
         89 - 100 . (Cancelled)