Method and apparatus for controlling temperature of a temperature maintenance storage unit

Abstract

A temperature maintenance storage comprising a side, a compressor unit, and an insulation pack, with the insulation pack being generally flexible and containing a temperature control fluid. A refrigerant line for conducting a refrigerant extends from the compressor unit and to the insulation pack with the refrigerant line contacting the insulation pack. The insulation pack directly contacts the side and the compressor unit is selectively activated in response to monitored temperatures by a thermostat probe.

1 . A temperature maintenance storage unit, said temperature maintenance storage unit comprising:
 a side;   a compressor unit;   an insulation pack, said insulation pack being generally flexible and containing a temperature control fluid;   a refrigerant line for conducting a refrigerant, said refrigerant line extending from said compressor unit and to said insulation pack with said refrigerant line contacting said insulation pack; and   a thermostat probe;   said insulation pack directly contacting said side and said compressor unit being selectively activated in response to monitored temperatures by said thermostat probe.   
     
     
         2 . The temperature maintenance storage unit of  claim 1  wherein said thermostat probe comprises an insulation thermostat probe monitoring the temperature of said insulation pack, and wherein said compressor unit is selectively activated in response to monitored temperatures of said insulation pack by said insulation thermostat probe. 
     
     
         3 . The temperature maintenance storage unit of  claim 2  wherein said insulation thermostat probe is in contact with said insulation pack. 
     
     
         4 . The temperature maintenance storage unit of  claim 1  wherein said at least one side comprises a bottom side. 
     
     
         5 . The temperature maintenance storage unit of  claim 1  further including a plurality of sides, said sides including a bottom side and a plurality of vertical sides joined with said bottom side, and wherein said insulation pack contacts at least one of said sides. 
     
     
         6 . The temperature maintenance storage unit of  claim 5  wherein said insulation pack contacts multiple ones of said sides. 
     
     
         7 . The temperature maintenance storage unit of  claim 5  including a plurality of said insulation packs, each said insulation pack being disposed in contact with at least one of said sides. 
     
     
         8 . The temperature maintenance storage unit of  claim 5  wherein said refrigerant line comprises a coil assembly, and wherein said coil assembly is disposed about said sides. 
     
     
         9 . The temperature maintenance storage unit of  claim 8  including a plurality of said insulation packs, each said insulation pack being disposed in contact with at least one of said insulation packs and said coil assembly being in contact with multiple ones of said insulation packs. 
     
     
         10 . A method of maintaining the temperature of a temperature maintenance storage unit comprising:
 monitoring a temperature of said temperature maintenance storage unit;   activating a compressor unit when a compressor activation temperature is detected; and   circulating refrigerant from said compressor unit through said insulation pack and back to said compressor unit when said compressor unit is activated, said insulation pack being generally flexible and containing a temperature control fluid with said insulation pack assembly directly contacting a side of said temperature maintenance storage unit.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising deactivating said compressor unit when a compressor deactivation temperature is detected. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  further including a thermostat probe and wherein said step of monitoring a temperature comprises monitoring a temperature of said temperature maintenance storage unit with said thermostat probe. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said thermostat probe comprises an insulation thermostat probe and wherein said step of monitoring a temperature comprises monitoring the temperature of said insulation pack with said insulation thermostat probe. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said insulation thermostat probe is in contact with said insulation pack. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said insulation pack is in contact with a bottom side of said temperature maintenance storage unit. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said temperature maintenance storage unit includes a plurality of sides. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said step of circulating refrigerant from said compressor unit through said insulation pack and back to said compressor unit includes circulating refrigerant through a refrigerant line, and wherein said refrigerant line contacts said insulation pack. 
     
     
         18 . A temperature maintenance storage unit, said temperature maintenance storage unit comprising:
 at least a bottom side;   a compressor unit;   an insulation pack, said insulation pack being sealed, generally flexible and containing a temperature control fluid;   a refrigeration coil for conducting a refrigerant, said refrigeration coil extending from said compressor unit and to said insulation pack with said refrigeration coil contacting said insulation pack; and   an insulation thermostat probe, said insulation thermostat probe contacting said insulation pack and being operable to monitor the temperature of said insulation pack;   said insulation pack directly contacting said bottom side and said compressor unit being selectively activated in response to monitored temperatures of said insulation pack by said insulation thermostat probe.   
     
     
         19 . The temperature maintenance storage unit of  claim 18  further including a plurality of vertical sides joined with said bottom side.