Climate control door system and methods

Abstract

A climate control door assembly includes a door panel and a climate control unit. The door panel is configured to connect to a frame panel. The climate control unit is mounted to the door panel. The climate control unit includes an interior portion mounted to a first side of the door panel and an exterior portion mounted to a second side of the door panel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A climate control door assembly comprising:
 a door panel configured to pivotably connect to a frame panel; and   a climate control unit mounted to the door panel;   wherein the climate control unit includes a cooling portion and a heating portion;   wherein the cooling portion is located on a first side of the door panel and the heating portion is located on a second side of the door panel.   
     
     
         2 . The climate control door assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the climate control unit includes an interior portion that includes the cooling portion and an exterior portion that includes the heating portion. 
     
     
         3 . The climate control door assembly  claim 2 , wherein the interior portion is operably connected to the exterior portion via an opening defined in the door panel. 
     
     
         4 . The climate control door assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the interior portion is operably connected to the exterior portion via a conduit. 
     
     
         5 . The climate control door assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the interior portion includes an evaporator and the exterior portion includes a condenser. 
     
     
         6 . The climate control door assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the climate control unit is at least partially supported by a bracket mounted to the door panel. 
     
     
         7 . The climate control door assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the bracket extends beyond a lower edge of the door panel. 
     
     
         8 . The climate control door assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an elastomeric seal is mounted to the door panel. 
     
     
         9 . The climate control door assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a locking latch is mounted in the door panel. 
     
     
         10 . The climate control door assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the locking latch is operable via a pull loop extending from an interior side of the door panel. 
     
     
         11 . The climate control door assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the locking latch is operable via a handle mounted to an exterior side of the door panel. 
     
     
         12 . The climate control door assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the door panel is configured to pivotally connect to the frame panel. 
     
     
         13 . The climate control door assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the door panel is configured to connect to the frame panel via hinges. 
     
     
         14 . The climate control door assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the hinges are separable. 
     
     
         15 . An enclosure panel comprising:
 a frame defining an opening; and   a climate control door assembly connected to the frame to close the opening, the climate control door assembly including:
 a door panel, and 
 a climate control unit mounted to the door panel; 
   wherein the climate control unit includes an interior portion and an exterior portion;   wherein the interior portion is located on a first side of the door panel and the exterior portion is located on a second side of the door panel.   
     
     
         16 . The enclosure panel of  claim 15 , wherein the climate control door assembly is removably connected to the frame. 
     
     
         17 . The enclosure panel of  claim 15 , wherein the interior portion comprises a cooling portion of the climate control unit and the exterior portion comprises a heating portion of the climate control unit. 
     
     
         18 . The enclosure panel of  claim 17 , wherein the interior portion is operably connected to the exterior portion via a passage defined in the door panel. 
     
     
         19 . The enclosure panel of  claim 15 , further comprising a cage interiorly mounted to the frame and blocking the opening. 
     
     
         20 . A climate-controlled enclosure, the enclosure comprising:
 a first wall panel;   an opening defined through the first wall panel;   a door panel pivotably mounted to the first wall panel and configured to cover the opening; and   a climate control unit mounted to the door panel, the climate control unit including an interior portion and an exterior portion;   wherein the interior portion is located on a first side of the door panel facing an interior of the enclosure and the exterior portion is located on a second side of the door panel facing an exterior of the enclosure;   wherein the climate control unit is at least partially positioned within the enclosure when the door panel is positioned in a closed configuration, and wherein the climate control unit is removed from the enclosure when the door panel is positioned in an open configuration.