US4367633A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Battery and solar powered refrigerating system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1980-01-07
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Granted: 1983-01-11
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Expires: 2000-01-07
Abstract
Abstract The system includes a container and a door therefor, each comprised of inner and outer shells made of a moisture impervious material having sealed therebetween an insulating material. A holding plate, containing a eutectic solution and a refrigerant evaporator coil, is disposed within the container. A refrigerating circuit is provided including a compressor and condenser coil connected to the evaporator coil. A control unit monitors the eutectic solution temperature and the refrigerant temperature at the compressor output. It minimizes the operating times of the compressor and condenser fan necessary to maintain preferred temperatures inside the container in order to minimize the drain on batteries which are provided for powering the same. In addition, an array of solar cells is provided and the control is adapted for powering the compressor and condenser fan with their output when it is above the predetermined minimum operating level.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald L. Strathman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:42
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B27/00; F25B27/002; F25B49/00; F25B49/02; F25D; F25D11/00; F25D11/006; F25D2400/00; F25D2400/10; F25D2400/38; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A40/00; Y02A40/90; Y02A40/963; Y02A40/966; Y10; Y10S; Y10S136/00; Y10S136/291
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
263 words
A refrigerating system comprising: a thermally insulated storage container having an interior compartment; a refrigerant circuit for cooling the interior compartment of the storage container when energized with a predetermined minimum level of electric power, including a refrigerant compressor for delivering compressed refrigerant, a condensor for receiving the compressed refrigerant and delivering it to an evaporator coil, and a fan for circulating air past the condenser; a holding plate tank mounted in the interior compartment of the storage container and housing the evaporator coil; a quantity of a eutectic solution within the tank having a freezing point below 32° F.; a plurality of batteries for providing the predetermined minimum level of electric power when sufficiently charged; an array of solar cells having an output which is above the predetermined minimum level of power when exposed to a sufficient intensity of solar radiation; and control means interconnected with the refrigerant circuit, the batteries and the solar cells for causing the refrigerant circuit to be powered by the solar cells when their output is above the predetermined minimum level of power, and for causing the refrigerant circuit to be powered by the batteries when the output of the solar cells is below the predetermined minimum level of power, the control means including first thermostat means for causing the refrigerant circuit to operate only so long as the temperature of the eutectic solution is above a first predetermined temperature, and second thermostat means for causing the fan to operate only when the temperature of the refrigerant delivered by the compressor is above a second predetermined temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
263 words
A refrigerating system comprising: a thermally insulated storage container having an interior compartment; a refrigerant circuit for cooling the interior compartment of the storage container when energized with a predetermined minimum level of electric power, including a refrigerant compressor for delivering compressed refrigerant, a condensor for receiving the compressed refrigerant and delivering it to an evaporator coil, and a fan for circulating air past the condenser; a holding plate tank mounted in the interior compartment of the storage container and housing the evaporator coil; a quantity of a eutectic solution within the tank having a freezing point below 32° F.; a plurality of batteries for providing the predetermined minimum level of electric power when sufficiently charged; an array of solar cells having an output which is above the predetermined minimum level of power when exposed to a sufficient intensity of solar radiation; and control means interconnected with the refrigerant circuit, the batteries and the solar cells for causing the refrigerant circuit to be powered by the solar cells when their output is above the predetermined minimum level of power, and for causing the refrigerant circuit to be powered by the batteries when the output of the solar cells is below the predetermined minimum level of power, the control means including first thermostat means for causing the refrigerant circuit to operate only so long as the temperature of the eutectic solution is above a first predetermined temperature, and second thermostat means for causing the fan to operate only when the temperature of the refrigerant delivered by the compressor is above a second predetermined temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
340 words
A high efficiency refrigerating system for maintaining food or medicines at low temperatures for long durations of non-operation, comprising: a container defining a compartment having an opening and a door mounted on the container for opening and closing the compartment, the container and door each including spaced apart inner and outer shells made of a moisture impervious material having a thermally insulating material sealed therebetween; a holding plate disposed within the compartment including a tank, a quantity of a eutectic solution within the tank having a freezing point below 32° F., and a refrigerant evaporator coil disposed within the tank and immersed within the eutectic solution; a refrigerant circuit including the evaporator coil for cooling the eutectic solution, the refrigerant circuit including an electrically powered refrigerant compressor having an input conduit coupled to an output end of the evaporator coil and an output conduit, a condensor including a coil having an inlet end coupled to the output conduit of the compressor and an outlet end coupled to an input end of the evaporator coil, and an electrically powered fan for circulating air past the condensor coil, first thermostat means for sensing the temperature of the refrigerant in the output conduit of the compressor, and second thermostat means for sensing the temperature of the eutectic solution in the holding plate; an array of solar cells having an output when exposed to a sufficient intensity of solar radiation which is above a predetermined minimum level necessary to power the compressor and condensor fan; and control means interconnected with the refrigerant circuit and the solar cells for detecting when the output of the solar cells is above the predetermined minimum level, and for thereafter causing the compressor to be powered by the output of the solar cells only while the temperature of the eutectic solution is above a first predetermined temperature and for causing the condensor fan to be powered by the output of the solar cells only while the temperature of the refrigerant leaving the compressor is above a second predetermined temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
340 words
A high efficiency refrigerating system for maintaining food or medicines at low temperatures for long durations of non-operation, comprising: a container defining a compartment having an opening and a door mounted on the container for opening and closing the compartment, the container and door each including spaced apart inner and outer shells made of a moisture impervious material having a thermally insulating material sealed therebetween; a holding plate disposed within the compartment including a tank, a quantity of a eutectic solution within the tank having a freezing point below 32° F., and a refrigerant evaporator coil disposed within the tank and immersed within the eutectic solution; a refrigerant circuit including the evaporator coil for cooling the eutectic solution, the refrigerant circuit including an electrically powered refrigerant compressor having an input conduit coupled to an output end of the evaporator coil and an output conduit, a condensor including a coil having an inlet end coupled to the output conduit of the compressor and an outlet end coupled to an input end of the evaporator coil, and an electrically powered fan for circulating air past the condensor coil, first thermostat means for sensing the temperature of the refrigerant in the output conduit of the compressor, and second thermostat means for sensing the temperature of the eutectic solution in the holding plate; an array of solar cells having an output when exposed to a sufficient intensity of solar radiation which is above a predetermined minimum level necessary to power the compressor and condensor fan; and control means interconnected with the refrigerant circuit and the solar cells for detecting when the output of the solar cells is above the predetermined minimum level, and for thereafter causing the compressor to be powered by the output of the solar cells only while the temperature of the eutectic solution is above a first predetermined temperature and for causing the condensor fan to be powered by the output of the solar cells only while the temperature of the refrigerant leaving the compressor is above a second predetermined temperature.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-01-10 | 1986-07-12 | 1987-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-10 | 1990-07-12 | 1991-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-10 | 1994-07-12 | 1995-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |