Abstract: An enclosure for storing temperature sensitive goods. The enclosure includes a wall that has an interior wall member and an exterior wall member that is spaced apart from the interior wall member to define a gap. The interior wall member partially defines the conditioned space. The enclosure also includes an insulation member that is disposed between the interior wall member and the exterior wall member within the gap. The insulation member has a vacuum insulation panel and foam insulation that is positioned on both sides of the vacuum insulation panel to separate the vacuum insulation panel from the interior wall member and the exterior wall member. The vacuum insulation panel and the foam insulation cooperate to insulate the conditioned space.

Abstract: A temperature control system for a vehicle that defines a load space for supporting cargo. The temperature control system includes a refrigeration unit that has a refrigeration circuit, and a heating system that has a heating circuit. The refrigeration circuit includes a prime mover and a cooling coil that selectively cools an airflow entering the load space. The heating circuit includes a pump that circulates a coolant fluid through the heating circuit, a dedicated heater that heats the coolant fluid, and a heating coil that selectively heats the airflow entering the load space. The temperature control system also includes a controller that detects conditions of the load space, and that engages one of the refrigeration unit and the heating system to condition the load space in response to the detected conditions.

Abstract: A temperature-controlled vehicle includes a driving portion including an engine powering the vehicle for movement. The temperature-controlled vehicle further includes a cargo portion including a load space, a heat exchanger in communication with the load space, a cryogen refrigeration circuit in communication with the heat exchanger, a fossil fuel heater selectively providing heat to the load space, a control system interactively coupled with the cryogen refrigeration circuit and the fossil fuel heater to control the temperature within the load space, and an electrical power supply disposed on the cargo portion and coupled to the fossil fuel heater and the control system to selectively provide electrical power thereto.

Abstract: A method for distribution and sales of cryogenic fluids, in particular CO2, includes a system of filling stations for cryogenic fluids provided in connection with ordinary service stations for the filling of fuels to motor driven vehicles. The filling stations for cryogenic fluids include at least a stationary storage tank (1) and dispenser (3) with flexible hoses (4, 8) and a quick connector (5) for easy connection to a mobile tank (2) on a truck or the like. The filling station further includes a pressure/flow control column (27) with a phase separator (20) provided between the stationary storage tank (1) and the dispenser.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for conditioning air in a plurality of spaced apart and thermally separated conditioned spaces with a cryogenic temperature control apparatus. The apparatus includes a storage tank housing a cryogen, an evaporator coil being selectively moveable into and out of thermal communication with the plurality of conditioned spaces for alternately conditioning air in the plurality of conditioned spaces, and a flow path fluidly connecting the storage tank and the evaporator coil.

Abstract: A method for distribution and sales of cryogenic fluids, in particular CO2, includes a system of filling stations for cryogenic fluids provided in connection with ordinary service stations for the filling of fuels to motor driven vehicles. The filling stations for cryogenic fluids include at least a stationary storage tank (1) and dispenser (3) with flexible hoses (4, 8) and a quick connector (5) for easy connection to a mobile tank (2) on a truck or the like. The filling station further includes a pressure/flow control column (27) with a phase separator (20) provided between the stationary storage tank (1) and the dispenser.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for conditioning air in a plurality of spaced apart and thermally separated conditioned spaces with a cryogenic temperature control apparatus. The apparatus includes a storage tank housing a cryogen, an evaporator coil being selectively moveable into and out of thermal communication with the plurality of conditioned spaces for alternately conditioning air in the plurality of conditioned spaces, and a flow path fluidly connecting the storage tank and the evaporator coil.

Abstract: A method of operating a hybrid temperature control system. The method provides an evaporator, which has a discharge line, a supply line, and a evaporator coil. The evaporator coil is in fluid communication with the discharge line and the supply line. The method also provides a microprocessor, which regulates a supply of a heat absorbing fluid to the evaporator. The method further couples a sensor module to the microprocessor. The sensor module is near the evaporator, senses a temperature of a gas exiting the evaporator, and sends a temperature to the microprocessor. The method also turns off the supply of the heat absorbing fluid to the evaporator when the microprocessor determines that the temperature of the gas exiting the evaporator reaches a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A cryogenic temperature control apparatus comprises a storage tank housing a quantity of cryogenic fluid, a housing defining a conditioned space, and a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the conditioned space. A first flow path fluidly connects the storage tank and the heat exchanger. A first valve is positioned along the first flow path to selectively fluidly seal the first flow path between the storage tank and the heat exchanger. A second flow path fluidly connects the storage tank and the heat exchanger. A second valve is positioned along the second flow path to selectively fluidly seal the second flow path between the storage tank and the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method of temperature control in a cryogenic temperature control apparatus comprises providing a heat exchanger in thermal communication with an air-conditioned space. The heat exchanger includes an air inlet and an evaporator coil having an outlet. The method further comprises providing a first temperature sensor being operatively coupled to a controller, measuring the temperature in the outlet and sending the temperature in the outlet to the controller, providing a second temperature sensor being operatively coupled to the controller, measuring the temperature in the air inlet, and sending the temperature in the air inlet to the controller, and providing a plurality of temperature control values. The flow of cryogen from a storage tank to the evaporator coil is altered each time the temperature in the outlet passes one of a first plurality of temperature control values and each time the temperature in the air inlet passes one of a second plurality of temperature control values.

Abstract: A temperature control system for a motor vehicle includes a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, both of which are in fluid communication with an air-conditioned space of the vehicle. An evaporator coil is mounted within the housing and provides a pathway for a heat-absorbing fluid between a heat-absorbing fluid tank and the atmosphere. A blower mounted within the housing between the air inlet and the evaporator coil is driven by the motor vehicle engine, and blows air to be conditioned over the evaporator coil. A heating coil is positioned adjacent to the evaporator coil, and provides a heating flow path for engine coolant such that hot engine coolant flows from the engine, through the evaporator coil, and back to the engine. The heating coil is used to thaw out moisture that has frozen onto the outer surface of the evaporator coil.

Abstract: A method of temperature control in a cryogenic system, wherein the system includes a cryogenic tank. The method comprises providing a motor speed sensor which determines a motor speed, providing a pressure sensor which determines a cryogenic pressure, providing a temperature sensor in the conditioned space which measures a temperature within the conditioned space, providing a deprived integral region, and generating an overriding control signal at the proportional-integral-derivative controller when the temperature and the pressure are beyond a temperature set point and a pressure set point.

Abstract: A method of temperature control in a cryogenic temperature control apparatus comprises providing a heat exchanger in thermal communication with an air-conditioned space. The heat exchanger includes an air inlet and an evaporator coil having an outlet. The method further comprises providing a first temperature sensor being operatively coupled to a controller, measuring the temperature in the outlet and sending the temperature in the outlet to the controller, providing a second temperature sensor being operatively coupled to the controller, measuring the temperature in the air inlet, and sending the temperature in the air inlet to the controller, and providing a plurality of temperature control values. The flow of cryogen from a storage tank to the evaporator coil is altered each time the temperature in the outlet passes one of a first plurality of temperature control values and each time the temperature in the air inlet passes one of a second plurality of temperature control values.

Abstract: A method of temperature control in a cryogenic system, wherein the system includes a cryogenic tank. The method comprises providing a motor speed sensor which determines a motor speed, providing a pressure sensor which determines a cryogenic pressure, providing a temperature sensor in the conditioned space which measures a temperature within the conditioned space, providing a deprived integral region, and generating an overriding control signal at the proportional-integral-derivative controller when the temperature and the pressure are beyond a temperature set point and a pressure set point.

Abstract: A cryogenic temperature control apparatus comprises a storage tank housing a quantity of cryogenic fluid, a housing defining a conditioned space, and a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the conditioned space. A first flow path fluidly connects the storage tank and the heat exchanger. A first valve is positioned along the first flow path to selectively fluidly seal the first flow path between the storage tank and the heat exchanger. A second flow path fluidly connects the storage tank and the heat exchanger. A second valve is positioned along the second flow path to selectively fluidly seal the second flow path between the storage tank and the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method of operating a hybrid temperature control system. The method provides an evaporator, which has a discharge line, a supply line, and a evaporator coil. The evaporator coil is in fluid communication with the discharge line and the supply line. The method also provides a microprocessor, which regulates a supply of a heat absorbing fluid to the evaporator. The method further couples a sensor module to the microprocessor. The sensor module is near the evaporator, senses a temperature of a gas exiting the evaporator, and sends a temperature to the microprocessor. The method also turns off the supply of the heat absorbing fluid to the evaporator when the microprocessor determines that the temperature of the gas exiting the evaporator reaches a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus to refrigerate the cargo space of delivery vehicles. It provides an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional mechanical a/c and refrigeration units. Cooling is provided by controlled evaporation of a liquefied gas such as CO2 or nitrogen. Defrost and heating requirements, if needed, are provided by hot engine coolant or by electric heaters powered from the vehicle electrical system. Airflow for the evaporator and for circulation in the temperature controlled space is provided by a blower which is mechanically or electrically driven from vehicle power. This invention can also be applied to multi-temperature control applications. The apparatus is compact and is particularly suited for small inner city delivery vehicles.

Abstract: A rotary vane motor adapted to operate at low rpm with a source of cryogenic pressurized gas. The rotary vane motor includes a housing having a cylindrical opening connected to a primary inlet assembly and an outlet assembly, a first and second end plate attached at opposite sides of the cylindrical opening, a rotor having a plurality of radially oriented, a plurality of vanes movable within the slots and a shaft for rotatably mounting the rotor in an eccentric position within the cylindrical opening. The first end plate includes a slot positioned for fluid communication with at least one of the rotor slots so as to direct pressurized fluid from a secondary inlet assembly. In the preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of vanes includes grooves for facilitating release of trapped fluid. During use, pressurized gas from the secondary inlet assembly forces the vanes radially outward relative to the rotor slots upon communication with first end plate slot such that any friction-causing problems are overcome.

Abstract: A two-stage rotary vane motor is provided that is particularly efficient for use in cryogenic refrigeration systems where the mass flow rate of the drive fluid (which may be expanding cryogen gas) varies substantially. The two-stage rotary vane motor includes a housing enclosure having first and second fluid chambers, each with their own inlets for receiving pressurized cryogen, and first and second rotors rotatably mounted within the chambers by means of a shaft assembly having an output end. In operation, when the mass flow of the drive fluid is high (350 pounds per hour), fluid is admitted through the inlets of both the chambers of the housing enclosure to drive both of the rotors. However, when the mass flow of the drive fluid drops to a low level (i.e., 100 pounds per hour), expanding cryogen is admitted only through the second chamber of the housing enclosure to drive only the second rotor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improving efficiency of a temperature conditioning system which employs a cryogenic liquid. A vapor powered ventilation motor is normally powered by vapor from the low pressure end of the evaporation coils. However, supplemental vapor is provided at start-up to provide immediate ventilation. In addition, vapor which bleeds off valves is cycled through the vapor powered motor or used to maintain a slight positive pressure when the system is shut down.