Patent · US Expired

Thermal storage system for a vehicle

US6026646A · kind A · utility

20Cited by
10References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 24, 1998
Grant dateFeb 22, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 24, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S224/929
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A thermal storage system providing a receptacle in a motor vehicle which can be used to keep refrigerated items cool or heated items hot during transportation of those items. The receptacle is removably mounted from the vehicle to facilitate carrying of the items to and from the vehicle. Additionally, the receptacle can be folded to reduce its size for storage within a cavity in the motor vehicle after passing the receptacle through an opening in a vehicle interior component. The receptacle has insulated walls which operate to keep the stored items either heated or cooled in passive operation. Active heating or cooling can be provided with a thermoelectric element.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.