Patent ID: 7007501
Filing Date: 2006-03-07
Classification: B64D,F25B,F25D,Y02T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for selectively actively and passively refrigerating an enclosure, the apparatus comprising: a primary heat sink defining at least one surface configured to receive thermal energy from a gas in the enclosure, thereby cooling the gas and refrigerating the enclosure; a first coolant heat sink in thermal communication with the primary heat sink and defining at least one passage for circulating a coolant such that the coolant is configured to cool the primary heat sink; at least one heat pump in thermal communication with the primary heat sink and configured to cool the primary heat sink; and a second coolant heat sink in thermal communication with the primary heat sink via the heat pump, the second coolant heat sink defining at least one passage for circulating coolant such that the coolant is configured to receive thermal energy from the primary heat sink via the heat pump.