Patent ID: 6865906
Filing Date: 2005-03-15
Classification: C09K,F25B,F25D,F28D,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method for preparing heat sink material for a portable, single-use, non-releasing evaporation-type refrigerator that produces a refrigerant vapor during evaporative heating, the method comprising: A) providing a quantity of solid phase change heat sink material having a solid density, and undergoing a volume increase upon melting; B) adjusting the density of said phase change heat sink material to a new density which is lesser than the solid density by a percentage, wherein the percentage is within 2% of the percentage volume increase experienced by the phase change material upon melting; C) encapsulating said solid phase change material at the new density, wherein the encapsulation is accomplished by placing the phase change material in a substantially gas- and fluid-tight capsule from which contaminants that degrade the performance of the phase change material are excluded; and D) placing the encapsulated heat sink material in thermal contact with a sorbent material, wherein the sorbent material receives refrigerant vapor during operation of said refrigerator, subsequently evolving heat.