SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REAL-TIME MONITORING OF EXPECTED DURATION OF TEMPERATURE CONTROL

摘要

Various embodiments of systems and methods for protecting various products and materials that are sensitive to variations in temperature, during the time that such sensitive products and materials are in transit or in storage. Phase Change Materials (“PCM”) are used to absorb heat, and thereby protect the sensitive products and materials. Various systems and methods for measuring current levels, and changes in, the residual latent energy in the PCM, and thereby determining the expected duration of temperature control for the sensitive products and materials. Various systems and methods for aggregating the measurements of changes in the residual latent energy of the PCM, and for communicating such measurements by wireless or wireline communication to an outside receiver of such information. Various systems and methods for taking action, based on measurements of changes in residual latent energy of the PCM, for protecting the temperature sensitive products or materials.

主权项

1. A system for protecting products or materials that are sensitive to variations in temperature, comprising:
a PCM container containing PCM material, that is in contact with or close proximity to products or materials that are sensitive to variations in temperature, wherein said PCM container has at least one section composed of flexible material that changes shape in relation to a change in the enthalpy within the PCM; a container containing a non-solid, and said container with non-solid has at least one section composed of flexible material that changes shape in relation to a change in pressure; and a pressure sensor that senses the pressure or fluctuations of pressure in the container with the non-solid, wherein the at least one flexible section of the PCM container is in physical contact with the at least one flexible section of the container with gas, and wherein all of the sections of the PCM container that are not in contact with a flexible section of the container with gas, and all of the sections of the container with gas that are not in contact with the PCM container, are rigid sections that maintain their shape against changes in pressure.