VENTILATED CARGO CONTAINER
This invention relates generally to cargo containers, and more particularly to cargo containers that are ventilated to remove any heat that is generated by the cargo container's contents. A cargo container typically comprises first and second side walls, an end wall, an entry wall defining a door, and a floor and ceiling. In one embodiment, the cargo container has a ventilation system defining first and second air-flow pathways along respective side walls and flowing from the floor to about the ceiling. In a further embodiment, the container has a ventilation system defining a transverse air flow pathway through respective side walls and flowing between the floor and ceiling.
This invention relates generally to cargo containers, and more particularly to cargo containers that are ventilated to remove any heat that is generated by the cargo container's contents.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONCargo containers are used for shipping various types of cargo by land on trailers, by sea on container ships, by rail on flat-bed train cars and even by air in cargo planes. Such versatile containers are commonly referred to as intermodal containers. To facilitate placement within standard container cells on-board ships and to comply with ISO standards, cargo containers of this type typically have a length of approximately twenty or forty feet (about 6.12 to 12.2 meters), a height of about nine and one-half feet (about 2.9 meters), and a width of about eight feet (about 2.44 meters).
The typical container comprises a rugged, box-like structure having a forward wall, a rear wall supporting a set of hinged doors, a pair of opposed side walls, a roof panel and a floor, thereby defining a cargo space within the box-like structure. The cargo is stacked within the cargo space, generally on pallets, disposed atop the floor of the container.
Due to their ruggedness and portability, the use of cargo containers as modular, portable shelters has become popular for housing data centers, growing or gardening operations and various other suits. When used for such purposes, proper ventilation is often required for the removal of heat that often accompanies the underlying uses.
Prior art ventilation systems for cargo containers have included passive (i.e., unpowered) ventilation systems, powered convection (i.e., fan-ventilated) systems, as well refrigerant cooled systems. However, various disadvantages are associated with each of these prior art systems. For example, passive ventilation systems often do not have the capacity to remove adequate amounts of heat from the container. This is especially true when the container is used as a data center housing heat-generating computer equipment, or as a grow operation housing heat-generating grow lights. Refrigerant systems, while sufficient to remove adequate amounts of heat, are typically overly complicated in design and are thus prohibitively costly. Powered, convection systems, while less complicated and costly than evaporative systems, are often inefficient or poorly designed in relation to the placement and location of data center or growing operation components within the container, and/or the removal of the excessive amounts of heat associated therewith.
Thus, what is needed is a simple and efficient ventilation system for a cargo container that is not cost prohibitive. Such a system should have the capacity to adequately remove the excessive amounts of heat generated by data centers and/or growing operations. The system should also be designed in relation to the placement and/or location of the components housed within the container. The present invention overcomes the forgoing disadvantages and provides other advantages as well.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to cargo containers, and more particularly to cargo containers that are ventilated to remove any heat that is generated by the cargo container's contents. A cargo container typically comprises first and second side walls, an end wall, an entry wall defining a door, and a floor and ceiling. In one embodiment, the cargo container has a ventilation system defining first and second air-flow pathways along respective side walls and flowing from the floor to about the ceiling.
The floor of the cargo container defines a plurality of through entry openings located proximal to each side wall. The side walls of the container further define a plurality of through exit openings located proximal to the ceiling. The entry and exit openings together define the respective first and second entries and first and second exits of the first and second air flow pathways of the ventilation system. A fan is located proximal to each entry opening for moving air there-through from outside to inside the container.
To facilitate adequate air flow through the floor entry openings, the container is elevated from the ground by a predetermined distance. A plurality of pedestals is thus associated with the container to elevate the container from the ground.
In another embodiment, the side walls of the cargo container define a plurality of through entry openings located proximal to the floor while the ceiling of the container further defines a plurality of through exit openings located proximal to the side walls. The entry and exit openings together define the respective first and second entries and first and second exits and of first and second air flow pathways of the ventilation system. A. fan is again located proximal to each entry opening for moving air there-through from outside to inside the container.
Pressurization of the container may be desirable to ensure a “clean-room” environment within the container's interior. Such environments, in utilizing pressurization, ensure that the air pressure inside the container exceeds that outside the container to prevent any undesirable contaminants (i.e., dust, rain etc.) from entering the container through leak holes or other unintended openings that may exist therein. In short, pressurization will ensure an outwardly flow of air through any hole or penetration of the container to deter entry of dust or other contaminants from outside. To achieve the foregoing pressurization, the container is configured to ensure that the cumulative area defined by the exit openings of the container is less than that defined by the container's entry openings. This configuration is achieved by providing fewer exit openings than entry openings of equal area; providing smaller exit openings than entry openings of equal number, or by providing a combination of each of the foregoing reductions. An evaporative system may be utilized to provide cooling in addition to the ventilation. Filters are optionally utilized in operable association with the entry openings.
In a further embodiment, the container has a ventilation system defining a transverse air flow pathway through respective side walls and flowing between the floor and ceiling. In this embodiment, one side wall of the cargo container defines a plurality of through entry openings while the opposing side wall defines a plurality of through exit openings. The entry and exit openings together define the entry and exit the transverse air flow pathway of the ventilation system. A fan is located proximal to each entry and exit opening for moving air there-through from outside to inside the container. The fans of the exit opening preferably have a higher elevation from the floor than the fans of the entry openings. The higher elevation of the exit opening fans thus accommodates the rising of the air of the transverse pathway as it is heated by the contents (i.e., data center computer components or growing center grow lights) of the container as it flows across such contents.
In the embodiment, a metal hood is preferably located above each of the entry openings to protect the openings from the elements of weather. A filtration system is optionally located beneath the hood to filter the air leading to the air entry opening.
Also in the foregoing embodiment, the ventilated cargo container further comprises a plurality of racks located about within the transverse air flow pathway, with the location of the racks defining first and second outer aisles within the container. Each rack of the plurality is configured to allow a free flow of air transversally through the rack itself such the air is directed through and/or about any contents placed on each rack. Computer components located on the racks may include one or more internal fans that force air via one or more a supplemental air flow pathways in the direction of the exit openings to contribute to the transverse air flow pathway.
This invention relates generally to cargo containers, and more particularly to cargo containers that are ventilated to remove any heat that is generated by the cargo container's contents. Referring to
In the embodiments of
The plurality of entry openings 60 preferably comprises 34 openings, with each entry opening defining an area of about 314.15 square inches. More preferably, each entry opening 60 is round and has a diameter of about 20 inches. A fan 90 is located proximal to each entry opening 60 for moving air there-through from outside to inside the container 5. In the embodiment illustrated in
It is further understood that other type of fans could be utilized in place of axial fans as well. For example, centrifugal or “squirrel cage” fans can be located proximal to the floor to move air through the entry openings of the container. Centrifugal fan located inside the container would draw air through the entry openings while centrifugal fans located outside the container would push the air there-through. Because centrifugal fans produce more pressure for a given air volume than axial fans, centrifugal fans are typically utilized to move air in an environment that requires pressurization (i.e., where pressurization of the container is required), to be further discussed.
To facilitate adequate air flow through the floor entry openings 60, and space for embodiments having the fans mounted proximal to the floor outside of the container 5, the container is elevated from the ground by a distance of between about 10 inches and 20 inches, more preferably between about 12 inches and 18 inches, and optimally about 13 inches. A plurality of pedestals 95 is thus associated with the container 5 to elevate the container from the ground by the above-recited distances. Such pedestals preferably comprise concrete or steel columns, or any other rigid body capable of supporting the container. In a preferred embodiment, each pedestal 95 is located at a corner of the container. However, it is understood that such pedestals may be located elsewhere in relation to the container as well.
Referring again to
In the embodiment of
The plurality of entry openings 105 preferably comprises 34 openings, with each entry opening defining an area of about 314.15 square inches. More preferably, each entry opening 105 is round and has a diameter of about 20 inches. A fan 145 (
It is further understood that other type of fans could be utilized in place of centrifugal fans as well. For example, axial or propeller fans can be located proximal to the floor to move air through the entry openings of the container. Axial fans located inside the container would draw air through the entry openings while axial fans located outside the container would push the air there-through. Because axial fans produce less pressure for a given air volume than centrifugal fans, axial fins are typically utilized to move air in an environment that does not require pressurization (i.e., where pressurization of the container is not required).
Referring again to
Pressurization of the container may be desirable to ensure a “clean-room” environment within the container's interior. Such environments, in utilizing pressurization, ensure that the air pressure inside the container exceeds that outside the container to prevent any undesirable contaminants (i.e., dust, rain etc.) from entering the container through leak holes or other unintended openings that may exist therein. In short, pressurization will ensure an outwardly flow of air through any hole or penetration of the container to deter entry of dust or other contaminants from outside. To achieve the foregoing pressurization, the container is configured to ensure that the cumulative area defined by the exit openings of the container is less than that defined by the container's entry openings. This configuration is achieved by providing fewer exit openings than entry openings of equal area; providing smaller exit openings than entry openings of equal number, or by providing a combination of each of ate foregoing reductions,
As illustrated in the embodiments of
Referring to FIGS, 9-12, filters 160 are optionally utilized in operable association with the entry openings 60 or 105, with the filters catching and localizing the water vapor received from the misting pipe 155. Air moved through the “wet” filters results in evaporation and thus heat absorption within the system. In the embodiments of
The further embodiment of
Whether inside or outside the container 5, the fans 205 of the exit openings 190 preferably have a higher elevation from the floor than the fans of the entry openings 185. The higher elevation of the exit opening fans thus accommodates the rising of the air of the transverse pathway as it is heated by the contents (i.e., data center computer components or growing center grow lights) of the container as it flows across such contents. In the embodiments of
Regardless of fan location, each fan 205 moves preferably between about 5,000 cubic feet per minute of air and about 25,000 cubic feet per minute of air through each respective entry and exit opening. Thus, in the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
A filtration system 215 (schematically illustrated in
Also in the foregoing embodiment illustrated in
It is noted that the placement of the racks 230 in
While this foregoing description and accompanying drawings are illustrative of the present invention, other variations in structure and method are possible without departing from the invention's spirit and scope.
Claims
1. A ventilated cargo container comprising:
- first and second side walls, an end wall, an entry wall defining a door, a floor and a ceiling;
- the cargo container having a ventilation system defining an air-flow pathway about along each side wall and flowing from the floor to about the ceiling.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 10, 2015
Publication Date: Oct 6, 2016
Inventor: JARED RICHARDSON (East Wenatchee, WA)
Application Number: 14/937,870