Vacuum Insulation For An Integrated Refrigerated Container

Abstract

An insulation system for a cargo container ( 105 ), includes at least one wall ( 115, 120, 125, 130 ) having an exterior panel ( 205 ) and an interior liner ( 215 ), the exterior panel and the interior liner being substantially parallel to each other; a cavity disposed between the exterior panel and the interior liner, the cavity being coextensive with a surface area of each of the exterior panel and the interior liner; at least one vacuum insulation bag ( 210 ) disposed within the cavity ( 220 ), the at least one vacuum insulation bag ( 210 ) being configured for insulating the interior liner from the exterior panel.

1 . An insulation system for a cargo container, comprising:
 at least one wall having an exterior panel and an interior liner, the exterior panel and the interior liner being substantially parallel to each other;   a cavity disposed between the exterior panel and the interior liner, the cavity being coextensive with a surface area of each of the exterior panel and the interior liner; and   at least one vacuum insulation bag disposed within the cavity, the at least one vacuum insulation bag being configured for insulating the interior liner from the exterior panel.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising expandable polyurethane foam disposed within the cavity, the polyurethane foam expanding around the at least one vacuum insulation bag upon curing. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of reinforcing members coupled to each of the exterior panel and the inner liner. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of reinforcing members are orthogonally coupled to interior surfaces of each of the exterior panel and the inner liner. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior panel is adjacent to an ambient environment. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the interior liner is adjacent to an interior space being conditioned. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one vacuum insulation bag is coupled to an interior surface of the exterior panel with at least one of pins, nails, screws, tape, or glue. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one vacuum insulation bag includes a barrier film enclosing an insulating material. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the insulating material is one of a polyurethane foam, fumed silica, aerogel, and glass fiber. 
     
     
         10 . A method for insulating a cargo container, comprising:
 providing at least one wall having an exterior panel and an interior liner, the exterior panel and the interior liner being coextensive to each other; and positioning at least one vacuum insulation bag within a cavity, the at least one vacuum insulation bag being configured for insulating the interior liner from the exterior panel;   wherein the cavity is disposed between the exterior panel and the interior liner, the cavity being coextensive with a surface area of each of the exterior panel and the interior liner.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising inserting expandable polyurethane foam within the cavity, wherein the expandable polyurethane foam expands upon curing to fill the cavity. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising coupling a plurality of reinforcing members to each of the exterior panel and the inner liner. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of reinforcing members are orthogonally coupled to interior surfaces of each of the exterior panel and the inner liner. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the exterior panel is adjacent to an ambient environment. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the interior liner is adjacent to an interior space being conditioned. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising coupling the at least one vacuum insulation bag to an interior surface of the exterior panel with at least one of pins, nails, screws, tape, or glue. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one vacuum insulation bag includes a barrier film enclosing an insulating material. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the insulating material is one of polyurethane foam, fumed silica, aerogel, and glass fiber.