Portable instant cooling system with controlled temperature obtained through time-release liquid or gaseous CO2 coolant for general refrigeration use in mobile and stationary containers
10345015 ยท 2019-07-09
Assignee
Inventors
- Mark Holzwanger (Hewlett, NY, US)
- Xianghong Henry Liu (Ann Arbor, MI, US)
- Heng Hu (Plymouth, MN, US)
- Harry Holzwanger (Bayside, NY, US)
- Maria Grazia Verardi (Briarcliff Manor, NY, US)
- Robert A. Sailer (West Fargo, ND)
- Justin Hoey (Fargo, ND)
Cpc classification
F25D2400/36
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
H04L63/0428
ELECTRICITY
F25D23/12
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25B19/005
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25D17/02
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25D29/006
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25D3/10
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25D2700/12
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25D29/001
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
G05D23/021
PHYSICS
F25B25/005
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25D31/001
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25D2700/10
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25B9/008
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25D29/008
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25C1/04
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25B2500/17
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25D2700/14
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25D23/028
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
H04W4/80
ELECTRICITY
F25B49/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
A61J1/165
HUMAN NECESSITIES
F25B41/20
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25B43/003
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
B60H1/3202
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
F25D31/007
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25D3/107
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25D2600/02
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
A61J1/1468
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
F25B19/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25D3/10
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
H04W4/80
ELECTRICITY
G05D23/02
PHYSICS
F25B25/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25D23/02
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25D23/12
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25D17/02
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25D29/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25C1/04
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25D31/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Abstract
Standalone and self-contained cooling systems using compressed liquid and/or gas CO.sub.2 containers positioned in an insulated or non-insulated vessel and consisting of a specially designed unit where the containers are vertically positioned in an upright or upside-down position. The liquid and/or gas CO.sub.2 coolant is then released into capillary tube(s) embedded into a heat transfer plate or heat exchanger thus leveraging the CO.sub.2 coolant properties. The temperature is controlled by a metering CO.sub.2 releasing system encompassing an electronic control device which can be operated remotely and/or via a touch screen and which sends alerts when pre-defined thresholds are exceeded. The invention's metering CO.sub.2 releasing system may be triggered by an electronic or a thermostatic valve or may be triggered manually or by an electronic solenoid. The invention's cooling system also encompasses check valves, which avoid liquid and/or gas CO.sub.2 from escaping when removing or replacing CO.sub.2 containers individually.
Claims
1. A cooling system for a container which requires cooling selected from the group consisting of reducing temperature to a cool temperature, maintaining a cool temperature, and maintaining a frozen temperature, the cooling system comprising: a. the container is a cooler including a removable top including a top upper lid and a top lower lid containing insulated material in between, an inner lateral wall and an external lateral wall containing insulated material in between, an opposite lateral wall with an inner lateral wall and an outer lateral wall, a bottom external wall and a bottom internal wall with insulated material in between, an interior chamber surrounded by internal walls of integrally formed bottom exterior and interior walls, inner and outer lateral walls with insulated material and opposite inner and outer lateral walls, and the top lower lid of the removable top upper lid and top lower lid; b. compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 retained within at least one compressed liquid or gas container located within said interior chamber; c. a heat exchanger within said interior chamber and located adjacent said bottom internal wall, the exchanger including a manifold block, the manifold block including a joining connection with said at least one compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 container; d. a capillary system embedded inside said heat exchanger wherein compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 flows through said manifold block and through capillary tubes in the heat exchanger to maintain the cooling system temperature, the capillary system having a series of filters to prevent the capillary tubes from becoming clogged and providing a steady and constant flow of compressed liquid or gas through the capillary tubes to maintain a desired temperature; e. a control valve connected to said manifold block to monitor and control the flow of compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 through said capillary tubes; and f. a separation wall within said interior chamber separating both said manifold block and said at least one compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 container from a remainder of the interior chamber; g. whereby items to be maintained at said desired temperature are placed within said remainder of the interior chamber.
2. The cooling system as described in claim 1 further comprising: a. said compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 retained within an interior chamber surrounded by a circumferential sidewall and top of each of said at least one compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 container; b. said heat exchanger having at least an upper surface; c. said manifold block affixed to said upper surface of said heat exchanger, said manifold block having a body adjacent to an end of the heat exchanger with said manifold block having at least one opening including second mating threads; d. said at least one compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 container having a member in fluid communication with said interior chamber of said at least one compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 container, the member having a circumferential sidewall with first connection threads, the compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 container placed in an inverted condition with first connection threads engaged with and threaded into said second interior second mating connection threads so that the at least one compressed liquid and or gas CO.sub.2 container is retained in an inverted condition in at least one opening of said manifold block; e. at least one check valve between said manifold block and the retained at least one compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 container, the at least one check valve connected to at least one releasing valve releasing compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 to one or more capillary tubes, embedded in the heat exchanger; and f. said at least one releasing valve is part of a metering CO.sub.2 control releasing system, which is controlled or actuated selected from the group consisting of manually, electromechanically, electronically or thermostatically, to release compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 from at least one compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 container into said cooling system, the at least one releasing valve metering and controlling the release of compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 from the at least one compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 container.
3. The cooling system as described in claim 2, further comprising: a. said manifold block having an internal cavity where the compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 is conveyed once released; and b. said internal cavity is in connection with said capillary tube embedded into the heat exchanger.
4. The cooling system as described in claim 2, further comprising: a. said heat exchanger transferring cooling through its surface and containing embedded capillary tubes where the compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 is released by said releasing valve selected from a group consisting of manual, electronic, electromechanical and thermostatic into said capillary tubes; and b. a controlled reduction and steady maintenance of temperature along the heat exchanger allows said items to be maintained refrigerated, cooled or frozen.
5. The cooling system as described in claim 2, further comprising: a. said capillary tubes configured in various widths and lengths are embedded in the heat exchanger or wrapped around a cooling chamber designed to refrigerate, cool or freeze an item to be cooled including cans, bottles or other small items in need of refrigeration, cooling or freezing; b. said capillary tubes allow an operator to manually regulate, change or control the flow of compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 thus acting on the temperature setting and on the quantity of compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 to be released for a more efficient utilization of the heat exchanger; and c. the capillary tubes convey the compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 along the heat exchanger capillary tubes having filters to avoid any freezing, clogging or blocking of the compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 flow, the capillary tubes convey the compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 to be safely released from the compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 containers in fluid communication with said heat exchanger, thereby avoiding the compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 to be directly spilled on the items in need of refrigeration.
6. The cooling system as described in claim 2, further comprising: at least a member functioning as a manual valve control for the purpose of opening and releasing compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 into the capillary tubes embedded in the heat exchanger when deemed necessary by a user.
7. The cooling system as described in claim 2, further comprising: a. said electronic control valve includes encrypted commands dispensing compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 through said capillary tubes embedded in the heat exchanger, with the heat exchanger providing the cooling temperature to said interior chamber; and b. at least an electronic CO.sub.2 member comprising said electronic control valve control for the purpose of evaluating the temperature of a cooler and its surroundings and electrically opening and releasing compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 into the capillary tubes embedded in the heat exchanger until a set threshold temperature inside the cooler is achieved for desired periods and lengths of time.
8. The system as described in claim 7, further comprising: the electronic control valve including: a. a display where the temperatures are visualized; b an electronic board for checking the current temperatures and sending the desired temperatures to the electronic valve; c. a wired electronic connection to the cooler; d. a USB port; e. a power supply component; f. a wireless exchange of data over a short distance component; g. a Wi-Fi component; h. a radio frequency component; and i. a case-box containing at least one of the electronic board and connection to the cooler, the USB port, the power supply component, a device using a short range wireless technology standard, a Wi-Fi component, and a Radio Frequency component, collectively defined as one or more of the electronic components, with an input and an output having a display on a surface of the cooler.
9. The cooling system as described in claim 8, further comprising: the electronic control valve is powered by a battery.
10. The cooling system as described in claim 9, further comprising: the battery is chargeable via a USB port.
11. The cooling system as described in claim 9, further comprising: the battery is chargeable via a 12V DC automotive connection.
12. The cooling system as described in claim 9, further comprising: the battery is chargeable via a 120V AC connection.
13. The cooling system as described in claim 9, further comprising: the battery is powered via a solar panel.
14. The cooling system as described in claim 8, further comprising: said electronic control valve transmitting encrypted commands transmitted through Wi-Fi or a wireless exchange of data over a short distance component/radio frequencies to a smartphone or tablet or a server to avoid spoofing, intrusion, interference, meaconing, jamming or data falsification.
15. The cooling system as described in claim 8, further comprising: the desired temperature and its length of time are remotely controllable.
16. The cooling system as described in claim 8, further comprising: said electronic control valve transmitting alerts to a mobile phone or email account notifying an operator of the system for: a. temperature of items, at the top and at the bottom of cooler as well as the ambient temperature outside the cooler equipped with the system out of acceptable limits for determining acceptable periods and lengths of time; b. liquid and/or gas CO.sub.2 level low; c. battery level low; and d. atmospheric pressure.
17. The cooling system as described in claim 8, said electronic control valve further comprising: said cooling system is integrated with wireless transmission technology selected from a group consisting of: a. a wireless exchange of data over a short distance to a smart phone or computer, or tablet; b. Wi-Fi for connection to a smartphone, tablet, or computer; and c. radio frequency.
18. The cooling system as described in claim 17 further comprising: said electronic control valve including encrypted commands transmitted through Wi-Fi or a wireless exchange of data over a short distance/radio frequencies to a smartphone or tablet or a server to avoid spoofing, intrusion, interference, meaconing, jamming or data falsification.
19. The cooling system as described in claim 17, further comprising: the desired temperature and its length of time are remotely controllable.
20. The cooling system as described in claim 17, further comprising: alerts are communicated to a mobile phone or email account notifying an operator of the system for: a. temperature of items, at a top and at a bottom of the interior chamber as well as the ambient temperature outside the cooler equipped with the cooling system out of acceptable limits for determining acceptable periods and lengths of time; b. liquid or gas CO.sub.2 level low; c. battery level low; and d. atmospheric pressure.
21. The cooling system as described in claim 17 further comprising: the electronic control valve including: a. a display where the following temperatures are visualized: i) external to the cooler; ii) internal into the cooler; and iii) at the upper surface of the heat exchanger; b. electronic board for checking the current temperatures; c. a wired electronic connection to the cooling system; d. a USB port; e. a power supply component; f. a wireless exchange of data over a short distance component; g. a Wi-Fi component; h. a radio frequency component; and i. a case-box containing the electronic components with input and output connectors and having the display in one of its surface.
22. The cooling system as described in claim 21, further comprising: the electronic control valve is powered by a battery.
23. The cooling system as described in claim 22, further comprising: the battery is chargeable via a USB port.
24. The cooling system as described in claim 22, further comprising: the battery is chargeable via a 12V DC automotive connection.
25. The cooling system as described in claim 22, further comprising: the battery is chargeable via a 120V AC connection.
26. The cooling system as described in claim 22, further comprising: the battery is powered via a solar panel.
27. The cooling system as described in claim 22, further comprising: said encrypted commands in said electronic control valve are transmitted through a mobile phone, Wi-F or wireless exchange of data over a short distance or radio frequencies to a smartphone or tablet or a server is encrypted to avoid spoofing, intrusion, interference, meaconing, jamming or data falsification.
28. The system as described in claim 22, further comprising: the desired temperature and its length of time are remotely controllable.
29. The cooling system as described in claim 22, further comprising: said electronic control valve including providing alerts transmitted to a mobile phone or email account notifying an operator of the system for: a. temperature of items, at atop and at a bottom of the interior chamber as well as the ambient temperature outside the cooler are equipped with the said's cooling system out of acceptable limits for determining acceptable periods and lengths of time; b. liquid or gas CO.sub.2 level low; c. battery level low; and d. atmospheric pressure.
30. The cooling system as described in claim 22, further comprising: said cooling system is integrated with wireless or hard wire transmission technology selected from the group consisting of: a. a wireless exchange of data over a short distance to a smartphone or computer or tablet; b. Wi-Fi for connection to a smartphone, tablet or computer; c. radio frequency, and d. hard wire transmission utilizing a hard wire connection for areas where there is high environmental interference of the wireless transmission.
31. The cooling system as described in claim 22, further comprising: encrypted commands in said electronic control are transmitted through Wi-Fi or a wireless exchange of data over a short distance or radio frequencies to a smart phone or tablet or a server encrypted to avoid spoofing, intrusion, interference, meaconing, jamming or data falsification.
32. The cooling system as described in claim 31, further comprising: the desired temperature and its length of time are remotely controllable.
33. The cooling system as described in claim 31, further comprising: said control valve provides which are transmitted to a mobile phone or email account notifying an operator of the system for: a. temperature of items, at a top and at a bottom of the interior chamber as well as the ambient temperature outside the cooler equipped with said cooling system out of acceptable limits for the determined acceptable periods and lengths of time; b. liquid and/or gas CO.sub.2 level low; c. battery level low; and d. atmospheric pressure.
34. The cooling system as described in claim 2, further comprising: a. when a desired cooling temperature is determined, an electronic control valve with encrypted or unencrypted commands dispensing compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 through the at least one dispensing valve through the capillary tubes embedded in the heat exchanger with the heat exchanger providing the cooling temperature to a selected location; b. at least one electronic solenoid member included into said manifold block and functioning as a valve controller for the purpose of controlling the flow of liquid or gas CO.sub.2 into the capillary tubes embedded in the heat exchanger; and c. the solenoid CO.sub.2 valve control remains activated for various times to control the flow of compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 depending on a desired temperature or desired periods and lengths of time required or needed.
35. The cooling system as described in claim 2, further comprising: a. at least a thermostatic CO.sub.2 member comprising a valve controlling the temperature in said interior chamber of said container; b. the thermostatic CO.sub.2 member is a polymeric and wax-based thermostatic valve which operates by exploiting the thermal expansion of a mixture of polymer and wax components; c. as the polymer/and wax mixture begins to melt, the material expands and opens the valve; d. as the system begins to cool, the material contracts and solidifies which allows the valve to close; e. the temperature at which the polymer and wax begins to melt is dependent on its formulation and is selected based on its desired operating temperatures; and f. when the desired operating temperature is reached, the polymer and wax-based thermostatic valve closes for a period of time until an operating temperature exceeds a desired operating; temperature, then the polymer and wax-based thermostatic valve opens.
36. The cooling system as described in claim 2, further comprising: a. at least one check valve placed between the compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 container's manifold block and said manifold block joining two or more compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 containers; b. said at least one check valve avoids compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 from escaping when removing or replacing CO.sub.2 containers individually; and c. the at least one check valve enables efficient utilization of one or more compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 containers.
37. The cooling system as described in claim 2, further comprising: the at least one compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 container positioned in an upright position.
38. The cooling system as described in claim 2, further comprising: the at least one compressed liquid or CO.sub.2 container positioned in an upside-down position.
39. The cooling system as described in claim 2, further comprising: the system is integrated into a vehicle for delivery of an item or for storage of an item.
40. The cooling system as described in claim 39, further comprising: said vehicle is selected from the group consisting of a transportation vehicle and a recreational vehicle.
41. The cooling system as described in claim 39 further comprising: said item is selected from the group consisting of beverage, food, medicine, and matter needed to be refrigerated.
42. The cooling system as described in claim 2, further comprising: a. the cooling system is designed for a container for personal medical storage including insulin; and b. the cooling system further comprises an insulated plastic, composite or metal container with either traditional or vacuum insulation.
43. The cooling system as described in claim 2 further comprising: the cooling system is designed for critical refrigeration of medical materials including vaccines and drugs.
44. The cooling system as described in claim 2 further comprising: the cooling system is designed to receive food, beverages, medical supplies, blood, temperature sensitive chemicals and pharmaceuticals, any prey resulting from fishing or hunting activities or any other perishable items in need of refrigeration, cooling or freezing deliveries when the owner, renter or resident of a residential dwelling (i.e.: houses, apartments, dormitories or town-houses) is not present.
45. The cooling system as described in claim 2, further comprising: the at least one compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 container is selected from the group consisting of: a. disposable metal canister; b. 12, 16, 20, 24, or 32 oz metal or composite cylinder; c. 1, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 lb portable compressed gas cylinders; d. >20 lb semiportable/bulk compressed gas cylinders; e. large volume liquid containers; and f. a specially designed compressed liquid container specific for the cooling system and a custom manifold block where the compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 containers can be screwed into or connected to form a seal between the compressed liquid or CO.sub.2 containers and said manifold block that prevents the liquid and the gas CO.sub.2 from escaping and prevents the leakage of the liquid or the gas CO.sub.2.
46. A cooling system for a container which require cooling selected from the group consisting of reducing temperature to a cool temperature, maintaining a cool temperature, and maintaining a frozen temperature, the cooling system comprising: a. the container is a cooler including a removable top including a one piece top upper lid and a top lower lid, a pair of oppositely disposed lateral walls each made of one piece having an external lateral wall and an internal lateral wall, and a one piece bottom wall having a bottom external wall and a bottom internal wall, an interior chamber surrounded by internal walls of integrally formed bottom exterior and interior walls, both inner and outer lateral walls and the top lower lid of the removable top upper lid and top lower lid; b. compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 retained within at least one compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 container located within said interior chamber; c. a heat transfer plate within said interior chamber and located adjacent said bottom internal wall, the heat transfer plate including a manifold block, said manifold block including a joining con CO.sub.2 connection with said at least one compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 container; d. a capillary system CO.sub.2 embedded inside said heat transfer plate wherein compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 flows through said manifold block and through capillary tubes in the heat transfer plate to maintain the cooling system temperature, and f. a separation wall within said interior chamber separating said manifold block and said at least one compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 container from a remainder of the interior chamber; g. whereby items to be maintained at said desired temperature are placed within said remainder of the interior chamber.
47. A cooling system comprising: a. a closeable container including at least one insulated wall surrounding an interior chamber; b. compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 retained within at least one compressed liquid or gas container located within said interior chamber; c. a heat transfer plate within said interior chamber and located adjacent said bottom internal wall, the heat transfer plate including a manifold block, the manifold block including a joining connection with said at least one compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 container; d. at least one capillary tube is embedded inside said heat transfer plate wherein compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 flows through said manifold block and through said at least one capillary tube in the heat transfer plate to maintain the cooling system temperature, e. a control valve located on an exterior wall of said cooler and connected to said manifold block to monitor and control the flow of compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 through said at least one capillary tube; and f. a separation wall within said interior chamber separating said manifold block and said at least one compressed liquid or gas CO.sub.2 container from a remainder of the interior chamber; g. whereby items to be maintained at a desired temperature are placed within said remainder of the interior chamber.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
(50) Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims.
(51) Defined broadly, the present invention is an apparatus and method for maintaining items such as beverages, food and other items in need of refrigeration in a cool, cold or freezing temperature to preserve the items for an extended period of time, as required by the item.
(52) Referring to
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(59) Then there are the output systems. These consist of the Display 561, the Valve (through the Step Up Converter) 540, the Bluetooth Radio 564, and the Indicator Lights 566. The Display 561 is responsible for outputting all information to the user, except what is provided by the indicator lights 566; however, there may be redundancy between the information conveyed. The Valve controls the flow of CO.sub.2 in the system and thus, regulates temperature. The Bluetooth Radio 564 provides a means of communication between the companion app and also functions as an input. The Indicator Lights 566 are responsible for making available the most important information to the user.
(60) Related to the output systems are the input systems. These include the Touch Screen 562, the Digital Temperature Sensors 565, and the Bluetooth Radio 564. The Touch Screen 562 provides all input to the device save for what is provided by the companion app, there may be overlap between the two. The Digital Temperature Sensors 565 are responsible for sensing the temperature, they are digital to provide a greater degree of accuracy and precision. The Bluetooth Radio 564 functions as a means of communication between the companion app and the Frostime unit. It also functions as an output.
(61) In addition to those systems mentioned above, the electronic control device also has two systems required for full operation. These are the Storage system 567 and the Step Up Converter 563. The Storage system 567 stores all data collected by the electronic control device so that it may be retrieved later, it may be thought of as an input and output for the MCU 568 but is not intended to be directly accessed by the user. The Step Up Converter 563 is required to couple the MCU 568 and the Valve systems 540 together due to their electrical differences.
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(63) After all sensors and hardware has been initialized, the temperature is displayed 5004 to the display and the control unit software enters its primary operating routine 5005. This routine conditionally executes subroutines based on measurements performed and preset timers. It is responsible for changing the valve from open to close to regulate temperature based on data from the temperature sensors, as well as detecting and handling input from the touchscreen and displaying data to it.
(64) The first condition checked 5006 is whether or not the displayed temperature has been updated in the last 15 seconds. If it has not been, the temperature on the display is updated 5007 and also saved to a log file 5008. Next, regardless of the previous condition, the control electronic software checks if the touch screen has been pressed 5009. If this is true, it checks specifically if the valve button was pressed 5011. If so, Auto mode is disabled 5012 and the position of the valve is toggled from its current state to the opposite one (open to close 5013A, close to open 5013B).
(65) If the valve button was not pressed 5014, but there was still a touchscreen touch detected 5009, the Auto Mode is enabled 5015. In this mode the device will open and close the valve to maintain the set temperature, further description of this mode can be gained in the additional description of the main routine below.
(66) If none of the above touch screen events have occurred, but there was still a touch, the control software then checks if the touch was in the sliding temperature adjustment interface 5016. If it was, the graphic slider is adjusted to represent the set temperature 5017 and the new set point is displayed 5018. It does so by changing its rightmost endpoint to the point of touch.
(67) If neither the valve, the auto mode, nor the slider were touched, the control software of the invention's cooling system performs one last check 5019 to see if its units' button has been touched. If so the units are toggled from Fahrenheit to Celsius or Celsius to Fahrenheit depending on the initial units at the time of the press 5020. Finally, in the event of a touch, after all buttons are checked, the internal touch registers containing information about where the touch took place are reset in order to be ready for the next touch event 5021.
(68) After checking the touch screen for input 5009, the control software of the invention's cooling system checks if auto mode is enabled 5010, if so it echoes the valve's current state 5022 to the display via a green light to represent an On valve 5023A and a red light to indicate and Off valve 5023B.
(69) Then Bluetooth Connectivity is checked 5024. If it is connected, then the temperature of the valve is sent to the app 5025 as well as the temperature the device is set to maintain 5026.
(70) Next, the device checks the temperature. If this temperature is above the set point selected by the user plus a small preset deadband value 5027 to reduce unnecessary cycling of the valve, the valve is opened 5028. Next, the device checks if the temperature is below the set point minus a small preset deadband value 5029. If this is the case, the device's valve is set to the off, closed position 5030.
(71) Finally, the device performs another check 5031 for any received Bluetooth commands. If one command was received, it is executed 5032.
(72) This concludes the primary operating routine; it is repeated 5033 until the power switch is switched to the Off position.
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(78) When normally closed, a plunger return spring 737 holds the plunger 733 against the orifice of the CO.sub.2 canister, preventing flow through the valve. When the solenoid is energized, a magnetic field is produced, actuating the lever and in turn raising the plunger and allowing flow through the valve.
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(81) Multiple solenoid valves can be placed together on a manifold thus reproducing configuration with three CO.sub.2 canisters upside-down.
(82) A more common embodiment for the present invention is to use a multiplicity of inverted CO.sub.2 cylinders. By way of example, one preferred embodiment is to have three CO.sub.2 cylinders. Referring to
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(102)
(103) In
(104) In
(105) Referring to
(106) Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which the apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied or operated.