초록 ▼

A container for transporting a load in conditioned space air, where the container includes a number of walls defining a closed conditioned space with an ambient air intake opening and a conditioned space air exhaust opening provided on one of the container walls; a temperature control system for con

A container for transporting a load in conditioned space air, where the container includes a number of walls defining a closed conditioned space with an ambient air intake opening and a conditioned space air exhaust opening provided on one of the container walls; a temperature control system for controlling the temperature of the conditioned space air; an ambient air exchange so system having a door movable relative to the exhaust and intake openings to thereby change the rate that conditioned space air is exchanged with ambient air, and a motor for repositioning the ambient air exchange door. The container also including a container controller in signal transmitting relation with the air exchange door repositioning motor. The controller sends signals to the repositioning motor to move the ambient air exchange door to a position which produces the required ambient air exchange rate to preserve the load.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A container for transporting a load in conditioned space air, the container comprising: a plurality of container walls defining a closed conditioned space, an ambient air intake opening and a conditioned space air exhaust opening provided on one of the plurality of container walls;a temperature c

1. A container for transporting a load in conditioned space air, the container comprising: a plurality of container walls defining a closed conditioned space, an ambient air intake opening and a conditioned space air exhaust opening provided on one of the plurality of container walls;a temperature control system for controlling the temperature of the conditioned space air; andan ambient air exchange system including: a tray fixedly coupled to and extending outwardly from an other of the plurality of container walls;a controller;a door pivotably coupled to the other of the plurality of container walls and moveable between a first position, in which the door substantially covers at least one of the ambient air intake opening and the conditioned space air exhaust opening, and a second position, in which the door is spaced apart from the at least one of the ambient air intake opening and the conditioned space air exhaust opening;a motor coupled to the tray and in signal transmitting relation with the controller;a first link having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotably coupled to the motor; anda second link having a third end and a fourth end, the third end being pivotably coupled to the second end of the first link, the fourth end being pivotably coupled to the door, the motor, the first link, and the second link being operable to move the door between the first position and the second position. 2. The container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the container includes at least one sensor for measuring the value of container operating parameters, the at least one sensor being in signal transmitting relation with the controller. 3. The container as claimed in claim 2 wherein the at least one sensor is comprised of an oxygen sensor for sensing the percentage of the conditioned space air that is comprised of oxygen. 4. The container as claimed in claim 2 wherein the at least one sensor is comprised of a carbon dioxide sensor for sensing the percentage of the conditioned space air that is comprised of carbon dioxide. 5. The container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ambient air exchange system and temperature control system are supported by a frame, the ambient air exchange system and the frame substantially comprising a container wall. 6. The container as claimed in claim 5 wherein the frame is comprised of a plurality of connected outer members and a pair of inner members that are connected to at least two of the plurality of connected outer members so that in combination the pair of inner frame members form a V-shape. 7. The container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ambient air exchange system includes a second door pivotably coupled to the tray, the second door including a plurality of spaced apart rectangular apertures. 8. The container as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a door limit member positioned adjacent to the door, the door limit member being operable to prevent movement of the door beyond the second position. 9. A method of maintaining a predetermined oxygen level and a predetermined carbon dioxide level in a container with an air exchange system, the container having a plurality of container walls defining a conditioned space, an ambient air intake opening, and a conditioned space air exhaust opening, the ambient air intake opening and the conditioned space air exhaust opening communicating between atmosphere and the conditioned space, the ambient air exchange system including a temperature control system for controlling the temperature of the conditioned space, a controller, a motor, an oxygen sensor positioned in the conditioned space and in communication with the controller, a carbon dioxide sensor positioned in the conditioned space and in communication with the controller, a first temperature sensor positioned outside the conditioned space and in communication with the controller, a second temperature sensor in thermal communication with the conditioned space and in communication with the controller, and a door pivotably coupled to at least one of the plurality of container walls and moveable between a first position, in which the door substantially covers at least one of the ambient air intake opening and the conditioned space air exhaust opening, and a second position, in which the first door is spaced apart from the at least one of the ambient air intake opening and the conditioned space air exhaust opening, the method comprising: sensing an oxygen level in the conditioned space with the oxygen sensor;comparing the oxygen level and the predetermined oxygen level;moving the door between the first position and the second position and exchanging conditioned space air and atmosphere air if the oxygen level is below the predetermined oxygen level;sensing a carbon dioxide level in the conditioned space with the carbon dioxide sensor;comparing the carbon dioxide level and the predetermined carbon dioxide level;moving the door between the first position and the second position and exchanging conditioned space air and atmosphere air if the carbon dioxide level is above the predetermined carbon dioxide level;sensing the conditioned space temperature with the second temperature sensor; andpreventing movement of the door from the first position toward the second position until the conditioned space temperature is less than or equal to the set point temperature. 10. The method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the oxygen sensor is operable to determine the percentage of oxygen in conditioned space air and the carbon dioxide sensor is operable to determine the percentage of carbon dioxide in conditioned space air. 11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the conditioned space has a conditioned space temperature, and the method further comprises providing a conditioned space set point temperature, comparing the conditioned space temperature and the conditioned space set point temperature and moving the door toward the first position for a period of time required to bring the conditioned space temperature to the conditioned space set point temperature if the conditioned space temperature is above the conditioned space set point temperature. 12. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the time period is less than or equal to about seventy-two hours. 13. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the time period includes one or more one-hour segments. 14. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the position of door is changed by energizing the motor, and the method further comprises sending a signal from the controller to the motor at the expiration of the time period. 15. The method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising sensing ambient temperature, sensing conditioned space temperature, comparing the ambient temperature and the conditioned space set point temperature and if the ambient temperature is less than the conditioned space set point temperature, moving the door toward the first position. 16. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising maintaining the door in the second position if the ambient temperature is at least ten degrees less than the conditioned space set point temperature. 17. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the conditioned space has a conditioned space temperature, and the method further comprises providing a conditioned space set point temperature, comparing the conditioned space temperature and the conditioned space set point temperature, moving the door toward the first position if the conditioned space set point temperature is below freezing. 18. A method of maintaining a predetermined oxygen level and a predetermined carbon dioxide level in a container with an air exchange system, the container defining a conditioned space, an ambient air intake opening, and a conditioned space air exhaust opening, the ambient air intake opening and the conditioned space air exhaust opening communicating between atmosphere and the conditioned space, the ambient air exchange system including a temperature control system for controlling the temperature of the conditioned space, a first temperature sensor positioned outside the conditioned space, a controller, a second temperature sensor in thermal communication with the conditioned space, an oxygen sensor positioned in the conditioned space and in communication with the controller, a carbon dioxide sensor positioned in the conditioned space and in communication with the controller, and a door moveable between a first position, in which the door substantially covers at least one of the ambient air intake opening and the conditioned space exhaust opening, and a second position, in which the door is spaced apart from the at least one of the ambient air intake opening and the conditioned space exhaust opening, the method comprising: providing a conditioned space set point temperature;sensing atmosphere temperature with the temperature sensor;sensing an actual oxygen level in the conditioned space with the oxygen sensor;comparing the actual oxygen level and the predetermined oxygen level;moving the door between the first position and the second position and exchanging conditioned space air and atmosphere air if the actual oxygen level is below the predetermined oxygen level;sensing an actual carbon dioxide level in the conditioned space with the carbon dioxide sensor;comparing the actual carbon dioxide level and the predetermined carbon dioxide level;moving the door between the first position and the second position and exchanging conditioned space air and atmosphere air if the actual carbon dioxide level is above the predetermined carbon dioxide level;sensing atmosphere temperature with the first temperature sensor;sensing conditioned space temperature with the second temperature sensor; anddelaying movement of the door between the first position and the second position for a period of time if the conditioned space set point temperature is above atmosphere temperature. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the time period is user selectable. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the ambient air exchange system includes a second temperature sensor in thermal communication with the conditioned space, and the method further comprises sensing the conditioned space temperature with the second temperature sensor and preventing movement of the door from the first position toward the second position until the conditioned space temperature is less than or equal to the set point temperature. 21. The method of claim 18, further comprising preventing movement of the door from the first position toward the second position if the set point temperature is below freezing. 22. A method of maintaining a predetermined oxygen level in a container with an air exchange system, the container having a plurality of container walls defining a conditioned space, an ambient air intake opening, and a conditioned space air exhaust opening, the ambient air intake opening and the conditioned space air exhaust opening communicating between atmosphere and the conditioned space, the ambient air exchange system including a temperature control system for controlling the temperature of the conditioned space, a controller, a motor, an oxygen sensor positioned in the conditioned space and in communication with the controller, a first temperature sensor positioned outside the conditioned space and in communication with the controller, a second temperature sensor in thermal communication with the conditioned space and in communication with the controller, and a door pivotably coupled to at least one of the plurality of container walls and moveable between a first position, in which the door substantially covers at least one of the ambient air intake opening and the conditioned space air exhaust opening, and a second position, in which the first door is spaced apart from the at least one of the ambient air intake opening and the conditioned space air exhaust opening, the method comprising: providing a conditioned space set point temperature;comparing the conditioned space set point temperature and the conditioned space temperature;conditioning the conditioned space with the temperature control unit;maintaining the door in the first position for a period of time required to bring the conditioned space temperature toward the conditioned space set point temperature;sensing an oxygen level in the conditioned space with the oxygen sensor;comparing the oxygen level and the predetermined oxygen level; andmoving the door between the first position and the second position and exchanging conditioned space air and atmosphere air if the oxygen level is below the predetermined oxygen level. 23. A method of maintaining a predetermined oxygen level and a predetermined carbon dioxide level in a container with an air exchange system, the container defining a conditioned space, an ambient air intake opening, and a conditioned space air exhaust opening, the ambient air intake opening and the conditioned space air exhaust opening communicating between atmosphere and the conditioned space, the ambient air exchange system including a temperature control system for controlling the temperature of the conditioned space, a first temperature sensor positioned outside the conditioned space, a controller, a second temperature sensor in thermal communication with the conditioned space, an oxygen sensor positioned in the conditioned space and in communication with the controller, a carbon dioxide sensor positioned in the conditioned space and in communication with the controller, and a door moveable between a first position, in which the door substantially covers at least one of the ambient air intake opening and the conditioned space exhaust opening, and a second position that is different from the first position, the method comprising: providing a conditioned space set point temperature;sensing atmosphere temperature with the temperature sensor;sensing an actual oxygen level in the conditioned space with the oxygen sensor;comparing the actual oxygen level and the predetermined oxygen level;moving the door between the first position and the second position and exchanging conditioned space air and atmosphere air if the actual oxygen level is below the predetermined oxygen level;sensing an actual carbon dioxide level in the conditioned space with the carbon dioxide sensor;comparing the actual carbon dioxide level and the predetermined carbon dioxide level;moving the door between the first position and the second position and exchanging conditioned space air and atmosphere air if the actual carbon dioxide level is above the predetermined carbon dioxide level;sensing atmosphere temperature with the first temperature sensor;sensing conditioned space temperature with the second temperature sensor; anddelaying movement of the door between the first position and the second position for a period of time if the conditioned space set point temperature is above atmosphere temperature. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the time period is user selectable. 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the ambient air exchange system includes a second temperature sensor in thermal communication with the conditioned space, and the method further comprising sensing the conditioned space temperature with the second temperature sensor and preventing movement of the door from the first position toward the second position until the conditioned space temperature is less than or equal to the set point temperature. 26. The method of claim 23, further comprising preventing movement of the door from the first position toward the second position if the set point temperature is below freezing. 27. A method of maintaining a predetermined oxygen level in a container with an air exchange system, the container having a plurality of container walls defining a conditioned space, an ambient air intake opening, and a conditioned space air exhaust opening, the ambient air intake opening and the conditioned space air exhaust opening communicating between atmosphere and the conditioned space, the ambient air exchange system including a temperature control system for controlling the temperature of the conditioned space, a controller, a motor, an oxygen sensor positioned in the conditioned space and in communication with the controller, a first temperature sensor positioned outside the conditioned space and in communication with the controller, a second temperature sensor in thermal communication with the conditioned space and in communication with the controller, and a door moveable between a first position, in which the door substantially covers at least one of the ambient air intake opening and the conditioned space air exhaust opening, and a second position that is different from the first position, the method comprising: providing a conditioned space set point temperature;comparing the conditioned space set point temperature and the conditioned space temperature;conditioning the conditioned space with the temperature control unit;maintaining the door in the first position for a period of time required to bring the conditioned space temperature toward the conditioned space set point temperature;sensing an oxygen level in the conditioned space with the oxygen sensor;comparing the oxygen level and the predetermined oxygen level; andmoving the door between the first position and the second position and exchanging conditioned space air and atmosphere air if the oxygen level is below the predetermined oxygen level.