Portage storage containers including controlled evaporative cooling systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system includes: a storage region, an evaporative region adjacent to the storage region, a desiccant region adjacent to the outside of the container, and an insulation region positioned between the evaporative region and the desiccant region. A vapor conduit with an attached vapor control unit has a first end within the evaporative region and a second end within the desiccant region. In some embodiments, the controlled evaporative cooling systems are positioned in a radial configuration within the portable container.

Portage storage containers including controlled evaporative cooling systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system includes: a storage region, an evaporative region adjacent to the storage region, a desiccant region adjacent to the outside of the container, and an insulation region positioned between the evaporative region and the desiccant region. A vapor conduit with an attached vapor control unit has a first end within the evaporative region and a second end within the desiccant region. In some embodiments, the controlled evaporative cooling systems are positioned in a radial configuration within the portable container.

A liquid container featuring an improved temperature-regulating structure includes a main body defining therein a first space, a thermally conductive member extending from a floor of the main body into the first space so as to make the first space a thermally conductive area, a base having a second space separated from the first space, and a temperature-regulating member when energized conducting cool or heat to the thermally conductive member, so that liquid in the thermally conductive area can be cooled or heated directly by the thermally conductive member.

A liquid container featuring an improved temperature-regulating structure includes a main body defining therein a first space, a thermally conductive member extending from a floor of the main body into the first space so as to make the first space a thermally conductive area, a base having a second space separated from the first space, and a temperature-regulating member when energized conducting cool or heat to the thermally conductive member, so that liquid in the thermally conductive area can be cooled or heated directly by the thermally conductive member.

An energy recovery apparatus, for use in a refrigeration system, comprises a first nozzle, a second nozzle, a turbine, a discharge port, and a housing. The first nozzle comprises a first passageway which is adapted to constitute a portion of a refrigerant flow path when the refrigeration system is operated in a first mode. The second nozzle comprises a second conduit which is adapted to constitute a portion of the flow path when the refrigeration system is operated in a second mode. The turbine is positioned to be driven by refrigerant discharged from either or both of the first and second passageways. The discharge port is adapted to permit refrigerant to flow out of the energy recovery apparatus. The discharge port of the energy recovery apparatus is downstream of the turbine. The turbine is within the housing.

An aircraft air provision system includes a power turbine that receives bleed air at a first pressure and provides rotational energy to a shaft and outputs output air at an intermediate pressure. The system also includes a compressor coupled to the shaft that receives input air at a second pressure that is lower than the first pressure and outputs compressed air having a pressure equal to the intermediate pressure and a mix chamber coupled to outputs of both the power turbine and the compressor where the output air and the compressed air are mixed. The system also includes a cooling turbine coupled to the shaft and that is in fluid communication with an output of the mix chamber.

Various aspects and embodiments of a temperature control cart (100) are disclosed. The temperature control cart (100) comprises a top portion (116) with one or more wells (202), wherein the one or more wells (202) is operable to receive one or more pans (102). The wells (202) are configured to hold pans (102), wherein the pans (102) often contain a payload, such as food or medicine, that requires temperature control. Further, the top portion (116) is disposed in a tank (108) that contains phase change material (PCM). In another aspect, a method for controlling temperature of a payload is disclosed. A temperature control cart (100) is further provided with one or more heat exchangers. Wherein the one or more heat exchangers circulate a heat exchange fluid, thereby heating or cooling the PCM disposed in the tank (108) of the temperature control cart (100) to above or below a transition temperature of the PCM.

Systems and methods for identifying, tracking usage of, and replenishing products on a shelf of a product storage unit include a pressure sensor array positioned on the shelf and configured to detect forces exerted on the pressure sensor array by each of the products located on the shelf. An electronic database stores reference pressure array data representative of a reference pressure data model relative to each of the products. A computing device obtains a pressure data set associated with a product that was captured by the pressure sensor array when the product was positioned on the pressure sensor array, and correlates the pressure data set associated with the product with the reference pressure array data stored in the electronic database to determine an identity of the product and a consumption level of the product, automatically replenishing the product when consumption of the product is above a set threshold.

Systems and methods for identifying, tracking usage of, and replenishing products on a shelf of a product storage unit include a pressure sensor array positioned on the shelf and configured to detect forces exerted on the pressure sensor array by each of the products located on the shelf. An electronic database stores reference pressure array data representative of a reference pressure data model relative to each of the products. A computing device obtains a pressure data set associated with a product that was captured by the pressure sensor array when the product was positioned on the pressure sensor array, and correlates the pressure data set associated with the product with the reference pressure array data stored in the electronic database to determine an identity of the product and a consumption level of the product, automatically replenishing the product when consumption of the product is above a set threshold.