Device for conserving and transporting fresh or frozen products, in particular for thermally insulated containers or the like

Abstract

An apparatus for a thermally insulated container is disclosed. The apparatus includes one or more heat accumulators. Each of the thermal accumulators includes a plurality of longitudinal heat accumulation modules. Each of the longitudinal modules includes a casing forming a cavity therein. The cavity is configured to receive a phase change material. A first wall of the casing includes a substantially flat surface and a second wall includes a heat transfer enhanced surface portion. The longitudinal modules include a heat exchanger having at least a portion disposed within the cavity that is configured to supply a heat transfer fluid. The plurality of longitudinal heat accumulation modules are securely connected to each other and are in thermal communication with each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat accumulator, comprising:
 a plurality of longitudinal heat accumulation modules, each of the modules including:
 a casing forming a cavity therein, the cavity configured to receive a phase change material, the casing including a substantially flat surface wall portion and a heat transfer enhanced surface wall portion, and 
 a heat exchanger having at least a portion disposed within the cavity, the heat exchanger configured to supply a heat transfer fluid; 
   wherein the plurality of longitudinal heat accumulation modules are securely connected to each other and are in thermal communication with each other.   
     
     
         2 . The heat accumulator according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer enhanced surface wall portion includes one or more fins. 
     
     
         3 . The heat accumulator according to  claim 1 , wherein the casing includes:
 an aperture having an air vent configured to release oxygen released by the heat accumulator liquid.   
     
     
         4 . The heat accumulator according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is securely connected to a first end of the heat accumulation module. 
     
     
         5 . The heat accumulator according to  claim 1 , wherein the casing includes a filling material configured to absorb the expansion of the phase change material during a state change from a liquid state to a solid state. 
     
     
         6 . The heat accumulator according to  claim 5 , wherein the filling material is distributed on an upper portion of the casing, and wherein the filling material is disposed at a second end opposite a first end at which the heat exchanger is securely connected. 
     
     
         7 . The heat accumulator according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the modules is connected in parallel fluid communication. 
     
     
         8 . The heat accumulator according to  claim 7 , wherein each of the modules is connected in parallel fluid communication by an outlet manifold and an inlet manifold, wherein the inlet and outlet manifolds are configured to control a flow rate of the heat transfer fluid. 
     
     
         9 . The heat accumulator according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more quick connectors configured to connect the heat accumulator with a thermal charging device.   
     
     
         10 . The heat accumulator according to  claim 1 , wherein the phase change material has a solid-liquid transition temperature between about 0° C. and about −32° C. 
     
     
         11 . A thermally insulated container, comprising:
 one or more heat accumulators, each of the thermal accumulators including a plurality of longitudinal heat accumulation modules, each of the modules including:
 a casing forming a cavity therein, the cavity configured to receive a phase change material, wherein a first wall of the casing includes a substantially flat surface wall portion and a heat transfer enhanced surface wall portion, and 
 a heat exchanger having at least a portion disposed within the cavity, the heat exchanger configured to supply a heat transfer fluid; 
   wherein the plurality of longitudinal heat accumulation modules are securely connected to each other and are in thermal communication with each other.   
     
     
         12 . The thermally insulated container according to  claim 11 , wherein the one or more heat accumulators are disposed on an internal wall of the insulated container such that a longitudinal direction of the heat accumulation modules is about horizontal. 
     
     
         13 . The thermally insulated container according to  claim 11 , wherein the one or more heat accumulators are disposed on an internal wall of the insulated container such that a longitudinal direction of the heat accumulation modules is about vertical. 
     
     
         14 . The thermally insulated container according to  claim 11 , wherein the one or more heat accumulators are disposed on one or more of a ceiling and an internal wall of the insulated container. 
     
     
         15 . The thermally insulated container according to  claim 11 , wherein the one or more heat accumulators are disposed on a ceiling and at least one internal wall of the insulated container. 
     
     
         16 . The thermally insulated container according to  claim 15 , wherein the one or more heat accumulators are mechanically and thermally connected to the ceiling and the at least one internal wall. 
     
     
         17 . The thermally insulated container according to  claim 11 , wherein a reflective material is disposed between an internal wall and/or a ceiling of the insulated container and a surface of the one or more heat accumulators disposed thereon. 
     
     
         18 . The thermally insulated container according to  claim 17 , further comprising a first layer of insulating material disposed between the internal wall and/or ceiling and the reflective material and a second layer of insulating material disposed between the reflective material and the surface of the one or more heat accumulators disposed thereon. 
     
     
         19 . The thermally insulated container according to  claim 11 , wherein the heat transfer enhanced surface wall portion includes one or more fins.