Patent ID: 7740053

Claim:
A method of maintaining a space in a means of transport at a desired temperature, which means of transport is in an environment whose ambient temperature is different from the desired temperature and possesses a storage tank containing a medium having a third temperature, the method comprising the steps of: selecting the third temperature such that the desired temperature lies between the third temperature and the ambient temperature; during transport allowing heat exchange to take place between the storage tank and the space to maintain the space of the transport means at the desired temperature during transport causing a medium in the storage tank to have a reduced capacity for maintaining the space at the desired temperature; and when the means of transport stands still, increasing the capacity for maintaining the space at the desired temperature with the aid of a device that does not form part of the means of transport; wherein the medium in the storage tank comprises solid elements with which the storage tank is filled, the solid elements having capacity to maintain the space at the desired temperature, and wherein the storage tank possesses an inlet opening for increasing the capacity of maintaining the space at the desired temperature, and wherein this is achieved by feeding through the inlet opening a regenerating medium-comprising liquid to surround the solid elements and, after heat exchange between regenerating medium and the solid elements, discharging regenerating medium-comprising liquid.