CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/381.926, filed November 1, 2022. which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to refrigeration systems and more specifically to a passive cooling unit with passive smart cooling.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Medical conditions may not always arise in ideal conditions, and a hospital may not be available when they do. A patient in the field may suffer conditions that merit emergent treatment with advanced techniques typically only available in a hospital or treatment facility. A wounded individual may be treatable with a blood transfusion, for example, in a hospital or other facility with the ability to maintain donor blood.

[0004] However, some techniques of modem medicine may be unavailable in the field due to temperature, climate, or other environmental factors. Blood is temperature sensitive. Refrigeration systems are commonly used in home, commercial, or industrial applications to store blood where AC power is available. Blood availability may thus be limited in locations disconnected from a power grid or generator.

[0005] Rudimentary cooling techniques like ice or pre-cooling maintain temperatures for limited time and offer limited temperature control. The temperature inside a typical cold storage device may be heavily influenced by the temperature outside the container. Ambient conditions including extreme heat can further limit effectiveness of many passive systems such as insulated ice boxes. Additionally, ice can apply cooling unevenly and can melt unpredictably. Further, many passive cooling techniques involve cooling devices that are vulnerable to puncture or damage and difficult to clean.

SUMMARY

[0006] Systems, methods, and devices of the present disclosure may include one or more computers configured to perform particular operations or actions by virtue of having software, firmware, hardware, or a combination of them installed on the system that in operation causes the system to perform the actions. One or more computer programs can be configured to perform particular operations by virtue of including instructions that, when executed by the data processing apparatus, can cause the apparatus to perform the actions.

[0007] Systems, methods, and devices for cooled storage may include a body defining an internal cavity. A storage compartment is seated in the internal cavity' with a wall of the storage compartment defining a sealable cavity. A temperature sensor is disposed in the sealable cavity. A phase change material (PCM) is disposed in the sealable cavity and contacting the temperature sensor.

[0008] V arious embodiments include a processor or a printed circuit board in electronic communication with the temperature sensor. A wireless transmitter is in electronic communication with the processor or the printed circuit board. The processor or printed circuit board transmits temperature data to an external device using the wireless transmitter. A second temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the storage compartment, and the processor or the printed circuit board logs temperature data from the second temperature sensor. The processor or printed circuit board are configured to calculate a remaining time that the PCM will maintain a desired temperature in the storage compartment. A lid is hingedly coupled to the body and configured to cover the internal cavity in response to the lid being in a closed position. A position sensor is configured to detect whether the lid is in the closed position or an open position. An interface is disposed on the body and configured to convey information to users. The interface may comprise a digital display, a button, or an audible alarm. The wall of the storage compartment includes a metal or an alloy. A fabric is disposed about an exterior surface of the body. A hydrophobic material is disposed about an interior surface of the body.

[0009] Embodiments of a cooled storage system include a body comprising insulated walls disposed about an internal cavity. The insulated walls are lined with a hydrophobic material that defines the internal cavity in some embodiments. Walls may also be lined with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, nylon, plastic, or other cleanable and moisture resistant materials. A storage compartment is removably seated in the internal cavity ⁷ . Metallic walls of the storage compartment define a cavity containing a phase change material (PCM). A temperature sensor is disposed in the cavity and in contact with the PCM. An electronic circuit is disposed in the body and in electronic communication with the temperature sensor. The electronic circuit includes a wireless communication device configured to communicate with an external computing device. The electronic circuit is configured to log a temperature of the storage compartment.

[0010] Various embodiments of methods for monitoring a cooling device containing temperature-sensitive products include the step of seating a storage container into the cooling device to establish an electrical connection between the storage container and the cooling device. The storage container includes a phase change matenal (PCM) in a frozen state. The cooling device reads a PCM temperature from a temperature sensor disposed in the PCM of the storage container. The cooling device determines a holdover energy from the PCM temperature, and it calculates an incoming power based on the holdover energy, an ambient temperature, and the PCM temperature. The cooling device may also calculate a holdover based on the holdover energy and the incoming power. A storage temperature of the storage container is logged by the cooling device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0011] The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. A more complete understanding of the present disclosure, however, may best be obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a passive cooling system, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a front elevation of a passive cooling system, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevation of a passive cooling system, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a back elevation of a passive cooling system, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of a passive cooling system, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-section of a passive cooling system, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-section of a passive cooling pack, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom view of a passive cooling pack, in accordance with various embodiments. [0020] FIG. 9 illustrates a plot for the accuracy of a holdover measurement, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 10 illustrates a process for measuring holdover accuracy, in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein refers to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way of illustration. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the inventions, other embodiments may be realized, and logical, chemical, and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not necessarily limited to the order presented. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact.

[0023] The present disclosure is directed to portable refrigeration systems. Portable refrigeration systems of the present disclosure may generally cool a storage compartment for extended periods in extreme conditions. Such systems may operate without electrical connection to a power grid or generator to cool contents such as blood, for example.

[0024] As used herein, phase-change material (“PCM”) refers to a material used to absorb or dissipate thermal energy during various modes of operation to improve efficiency or capacity of the cooling system. The storage temperature and capacity of a PCM may depend on characteristics of the material selected. PCM heatsinks may be stored at temperatures below maximum operating temperature. PCM may transition from solid to liquid (i.e., melt) and absorb heat in the process.

[0025] In various embodiments, the systems and methods described herein may provide extended precise temperature control to at least one cold-storage compartment in a passively cooled storage system. Cooling systems described herein may thus operate where temperature sensitive materials require environmental controls. Cooling systems of the present disclosure may thus be small and easily portable compared to larger electrically refrigerated systems. Such cooling devices are suitable for facilitating access to temperature-controlled blood in hostile conditions often ancillary to military or first responder applications. These environments may include remote operations where standard AC power to support electronic cooling systems is unavailable.

[0026] The passively cooled storage systems described herein may be configured to survive a 48-inch drop on each face, edge, and comer for a total of at least 26 drops. The cooled storage system may be configured to survive in hot environments (Heat Deflection Temperature (@ 1.82 MPa), greater than 100°C). The cold storage system may be configured to survive impact in cold weather (Izod Impact, notched -30 °C impact greater than 40 kj/m ² , Yield strength > 50 Mpa or ASTM D746).

[0027] Referring now to FIG. 1 , example of cooling device 100 is shown, in accordance with various embodiments. Cooling device 100 includes body 102 and lid 104. Lid 104 may be completely or partially removable from body 102. In the illustrated example of FIG. I. lid 104 is hingedly coupled to body 102. Lid 104 or body 102 may be made by injection molding plastic. Lid 104 and body 102 may be comprise hydrophobic cloth clipped to plastic protecting internal foam, with layers of insulation arranged within panels. Lid 104 and body 102 may be made of metal such as, for example, aluminum, titanium, steel, or other alloys.

Lighter metals tend to make cooling device 100 easier to move. Some embodiments may include body 102 or lid 104 made of alloyed metals. In still other embodiments, body 102 and lid 104 may be made from polyurethane foam and vacuum panel insulation. Combinations of materials may result in desirable insulating properties and durability.

[0028] In various embodiments, body 102 includes front wall 106 adjacent side wall 108. Front wall 106 meets side wall 108 at a substantially right angle. The comer connects front wall 106 with side wall 108. Each external wall of body 102 and lid 104 may similarly meet adjacent walls or lid 104 at a substantially 90-degree angle. In that regard, cooling device 102 has a cuboid geometry.

[0029] Some embodiments of cooling device 100 include interface 110 disposed on front face 106. Interface 110 may include input and output devices. The illustrated example includes a digital display and a button to enable communication and control of cooling device 100 using interface 1 10. Clip 113 is configured to retain lid 104 against body 102 in a closed position. Clip 113 may be disposed along an edge of lid 104 opposite another edge of lid 104 having a hinge coupled to body 102. Lid 104 may include a handle 1 16 made of fabric, plastic, metal, or other materials to serve as a grip for efficient carrying.

[0030] In some embodiments, mounting interface 112 and tie downs 1 14 are coupled to a face of side wall 108. Side wall 108 may also include a textile covering coupled to mounting interface 1 12 (e.g., webbing) and tie downs 114. Sidewalls may be covered by a hydrophobic material for ease of sanitization. An outer layer of hydrophobic material also renders cooling device 100 substantially waterproof where covered. Various embodiments include abrasion-resistant textiles such as canvas, nylon, ripstop, aramid fibers, or other suitable materials used as a protective textile covering. Some embodiments include a fabric liner disposed over the exterior walls of body 102 and hooked to a plastic liner disposed over interior walls of body 102. Mounting interface 112 and tie downs 114 may be coupled to side wall 108 and any material covering side wall 108 by stitching, adhesive, integral formation, or strap 115, for example. The outer surface of bottom 118 may be a different material than the face of front wall 106 and side wall 108 in some embodiments. For example, bottom 118 may be coated in rubber or plastic to sen e as a protective layer. Bottom 118 may also be exposed or painted aluminum. Bottom 118 may also be covered in a textile in some embodiments.

[0031] With reference to FIG. 2, an example front wall 106 of body 102 is shown, in accordance with various embodiments. Front wall 106 includes interface 110. Interface 110 is an electronic interface including display 206 and button 208. Button 208 can be used to cycle through data output on display 206, to power cooling device 100 on and off, or to cycle through operating modes such as airplane mode, for example. Cooling device 100 may sound an audible alarm through interface 110 to alert users in response to abnormal operating conditions. Cooling device 100 may also transmit a wireless notification to a computing device as an alarm for remote users in response to abnormal operating conditions. Abnormal operating conditions may include temperature of storage compartment out of range, PCM temperatures out of range, PCM completely melted, ambient temperatures higher or lower than a threshold, remaining holdover lower than a threshold, lid open for longer than a threshold period, or other abnormal operating conditions.

[0032] In some embodiments, button 208 is used to pair cooling device 100 with an external computing device such as a laptop, smartphone, computer, or workstation. Cooling device 100 can pair with computing devices using Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, or cellular wireless communication standards. Cooling device 100 thus includes a wireless transmitter or wireless communication chip in communication with a processor or printed circuit board to communicate with external computing devices. Display 206 or a device in wireless communication with cooling device 100 can log and monitor internal and external temperatures of cooling device 100.

[0033] V arious embodiments of lid 104 include mating surface 204 protruding from lid

104 towards bottom 118. Mating surface 204 retains upper clip 202 coupled to lid 104. Lower clip 200 is coupled to front wall 106. Upper clip 202 engages lower clip 200 to retain lid 104 in a closed position. Clip 113 may be any type of latch, clasp, magnet, or other ty pe of fastener that can be closed and reopened to facilitate access into cooling device 100.

[0034] With reference to FIG. 3, a side wall 108 of cooling device 100 is shown, in accordance with various embodiments. Side wall 108 includes a rear wall 300 opposite front wall 106. Rear wall 300 is shaped and sized similarly to or the same as front wall 106. Rear w all 300 includes hinge 302 coupled to lid 104. Hinge 302 hingedly couples lid 104 to body 102.

[0035] In various embodiments, lid 104 is held against body 102 by hinge 302 and clip 113. Clip 113 may be released to allow- lid 104 to open. Lid 104 can pivot about hinge 302 to expose a cooled container. In the example of FIG. 3, hinge 302 is depicted as being a flexible fabric coupled to rear wall 300 and lid 104, though other types of hinges could be used in other embodiments.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 4 with continuing reference to FIG. 3, rear wall 300 may also include storage element 304. Storage element 304 as depicted is a transparent or translucent pouch used to visibly retain documents against body 102. A plastic pouch can retain documents describing the state and type of blood or plasma retained in cooling device 100 in some embodiments. Storage element 304 may be approximately 9 inches by 5.3 inches in some embodiments, though other sizes may also be suitable. A 9-inch-wide storage element 304 can receive a folded 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of paper while leaving half of the paper visible without removal from storage element 304. [0037] With reference to FIG. 5, cooling device 100 is shown in an open configuration.

Cooling device 100 includes body 102 with a lip 500 recessed from the top of the front wall, sidewalls, and back wall. The recessed lip 500 presses against lid 104 in response to cooling device 100 being in a closed position. Recessed lip 500 defines an opening into internal cavity 502. The opening bound by lip 500 may have a rectangular geometry.

[0038] Various embodiments of cooling device 100 include removable storage container 504. Removable storage container 504 nests within internal cavity 502 of body 102. External walls of storage container 504 may press against or contact internal walls of body 102 defining internal cavity 502. Storage container 504 includes upper surface 507 defining an opening into storage cavity' 506. Recess 509 is defined by the outer surface of storage container 504. Recess 509 mates with a protrusion in internal cavity 502 to allow electronic communication between storage container 504 and body 102.

[0039] Some embodiments of storage container 504 include upper surface 507 recessed relative to lip 500 in response to storage container 504 being fully seated in internal cavity 502. Upper surface 507 may engage protrusion 510 of lid 104 to restrict heat transfer into storage container 504 by convection, though upper surface 507 may also be spaced from protrusion 510. Sidewall 512 of protrusion 510 may engage the inner walls of body 102 defining internal cavity' 502 below recessed lip 500. In that regard, protrusion 510 may be press-fit into internal cavity 502 defined by body 102. Handle 508 is coupled to storage container 504 and may be flush with or recessed from upper surface 507 in a stowed position. [0040] Referring now to FIG. 6, a cross section of cooling device 100 in a closed configuration is shown, in accordance with various embodiments. Lid 104 and body 102 include lid insulation 600 and case vacuum panel insulation 602. Insulation 600 and insulation 602 may include foam, a vacuum, panel insulation, molded insulation, or other types of insulation. In the depicted example of FIG. 6, lid 104 and body 102 include vacuum insulated panels (VIP). VIP is sized to occupy predetermined locations within lid 104 and walls of body

102.

[0041] In various embodiments, foam 604 is molded to define walls in some embodiments. Foam 604 may be polyurethane foam or other foams moldable into a rigid or semi-rigid form. External skin 613 may cover foam 604. Internal skin 614 may be metals, plastics, rubber, textiles, or other materials described herein. VIP may be disposed over foam 604. An internal skin 614 may be disposed over the VIP 602 and other structures to define internal cavity 502 (of FIG. 5). Internal skin 614 may be the same material as skin 613, or internal skin 614 may be a different material than skin 613. In some embodiments, internal skin 614 is a smooth plastic and external skin 613 is a textile.

[0042] Embodiments include lid switch sensor 608 disposed in body 102 and lid switch magnet 610 disposed in lid 104. Lid switch sensor 608 and lid switch magnet 610 may also be disposed in clip 113. Lid switch sensor 608 and lid switch magnet 610 detect whether lid 104 is in an open position or a closed position. Interface 1 10 may indicate whether lid 104 is in an open or closed position using a light or display. Cooling device 100 may log and present information to the user regarding when the device has been opened or accessed, thereby providing greater clarity to the state of the blood.

[0043] Body 102 may contain wiring 606 to connect sensors with a processor, a printed circuit board, or other logic that can communicate with interface 110 or a wired or wirelessly connected device, for example. Wiring 606 may connect to lid switch sensor 608, temperature sensors 612, and temperature record sensor 615. Other temperature sensors may be disposed about body 102 or lid 104 and in communication with wiring 606.

[0044] Referring now to FIG. 7 and with continuing reference to FIG. 6, storage container 504 is shown, in accordance with various embodiments. Storage container 504 includes an interior wall 700 coupled to an exterior wall 708. An O-ring 702 seals the joint between interior wall 700 and exterior wall 708. In that regard, interior wall 700 and exterior wall 708 define a sealed internal cavity 710.

[0045] Interior wall 700 and exterior wall 708 are metallic in some embodiments. Walls may be made from copper, aluminum, steel, titanium, alloys, or other suitable metals. While walls may also be made from plastic or other non-metallic materials, metallic walls tend to have favorable heat conductive properties. Metallic walls thus tend to distribute heat evenly. Even heat distribution of aluminum walls, for example, results in high temperature uniformity ⁷ throughout storage container 504. Temperature uniformity' enables cooling device 100 to estimate temperature holdover, as described further below.

[0046] Some embodiments of interior wall 700 and exterior wall 708 define an internal cavity' 710 that retains phase change material (PCM) 704. PCM 704 may be liquid at room temperature or typical operating temperatures. PCM 704 is frozen into a solid state to prepare cooling device 100 for use. PCM 704 may be selected based on a desired melting point and thermal characteristics of the PCM material. Storage container 504 may be removed from cooling device 100 and placed in a freezer to freeze PCM 704 in the walls of storage container 504. For example, it may take 8 hours to freeze PCM 704 in storage container 504 at -9.5°C freezer temperature. Storage compartments may be swapped into cooling device 100 to increase uptime. Storage container 504 thus operates as a smart ‘‘ice” pack.

[0047] In various embodiments, cooling device 100 may also be precooled in a refrigerator or freezer to reduce the amount of heat PCM 704 absorbs from interior walls of body 102. PCM 704 melts in response to absorbing heat from the environment in place of the payload. The payload may be pre-cooled to storage temperatures before being placed in cooling device 100. The payload may be blood or plasma in medical uses, though other nonmedical applications can maintain conditions for any temperature sensitive payload. [0048] In various embodiments, users may freeze storage container 504 at temperatures lower than acceptable to hold blood. Users may then prepare storage container 504 by setting it out of the freezer until it comes into a suitable temperature range. Cooling device 100 may monitor the temperature of frozen PCM 704 and storage container 504 to determine when the temperature is in an appropriate range to receive sensitive payload such as blood or plasma. Cooling device 100 may alert the user when PCM 704 or storage container 504 are done resting after freezing. The rest period allows storage container 504 to rise to a temperature suitable for maintaining blood (e.g., not too cold) before a payload is inserted into storage container 504.

[0049] For example, cooling device 100 may have storage container 504 seated on pogo pins. In another example, an electronic monitoring device may include a pogo pin interface compatible with storage container 504. Storage container 504 may be placed into the electronic monitoring device to rest until reaching a suitable temperature for blood or plasma. The monitoring device reads the PCM temperature from a temperature sensor disposed in the PCM 704 of the storage container 504. In some embodiments, cooling device 100 may read the PCM temperature and monitor for PCM 704 and storage container 504 to enter a suitable temperature range. In that regard, the temperature monitoring device may be separate from or integrated into cooling device 100. The monitoring device (or suitably configured cooling device 100) may detect the appropriate temperature and alert users that storage container 504 is ready to receive a temperature sensitive payload.

[0050] In various embodiments, PCM 704 absorbs thermal energy. During phase changes from solid-to-liquid, heat is absorbed from the environment without using electrical cooling devices. The PCM may exchange energy to maintain a substantially constant temperature due to phase changes. PCM is disposed in storage cavity 506 defined by the walls of storage container 504. The PCM thus tends to maintain the internal storage compartment at a predetermined temperature.

[0051] Various embodiments include temperature sensors 612 to measure the temperature of the PCM at various locations in the walls of storage container 504. Temperature sensors 612 are in communication with a processor, printed circuit board, or logic for processing. A temperature record sensor 615 may measure the temperature of interior wall 700. The temperature of the interior wall 700 is substantially equivalent to the temperature in storage cavity 506. Temperature record sensor 615 may be located at a central location in the floor of interior wall 700. Temperature record sensor 615 may generate a temperature reading that is stored in memory or permanent storage for later retrieval. Temperature record sensor 615 may be used to generate a historical log of temperatures in storage cavity ⁷ 506.

[0052] Embodiments of temperature sensors 612 may be suspended in PCM or may be coupled to surfaces of interior wall 700 or exterior wall 708. Multiple temperature sensors 612 may be disposed in PCM 704 at different locations around the sealed cavity defined between interior wall 700 and exterior wall 708. In some embodiments, three temperatures sensors 612 are in contact with PCM 704 at different locations in storage container 504. The temperature readings from the various temperature sensors 612 may be used to estimate the remaining available cooling time of cooling device 100, which is based on the temperature and state of PCM 704 in the walls of storage container 504.

[0053] Referring briefly to FIGs. 8 and 7, electrical connector 706 is disposed in recess 509 of storage container 504 in some embodiments. Electrical connector 706 may be pogo pin pads, for example, to establish an electrical connection 616 between body 102 and storage container 504 in response to storage container 504 being fully seated in internal cavity 502 of body 102. Pogo pin pads may tend to maintain electrical connection in response to a small amount of movement between the body side and storage compartment side of electrical connection 616. Pogo pins can contact the main container, and the pogo pins may be plated with gold or other corrosion resistant conductors to inhibit oxidation. The pogo pins may be potted in storage container 504, which tends to keep electrical connection 616 separate from PCM 704. Pogo pins may have a tolerance such that they can compress by about 80 thousandths of inch. Lid 104 presses storage compartment 504 towards the base of body 102, compressing pogo pins against pads to form electrical connection 616.

[0054] Some embodiments include PCM fill port 802 disposed on bottom surface 800 of storage container 504. PCM fill port 802 is used to inject or flow PCM 704 into storage container 504. PCM fill port 802 is sealed when the storage container is filled with a desired amount of PCM 704. PCM fill port 802 may be permanently sealed, removably sealed, temporarily sealed, or sealed in any manner to retain PCM 704 in walls of storage container 504. For example, a threaded plug may removably seal PCM fill port 802.

[0055] Referring now to FIG. 9 with continuing reference to FIG. 7, plot 900 is shown relating energy to temperature, in accordance with various embodiments. The energy is shown in Joules and represents the energy that PCM 704 can absorb while maintaining the desired temperature in storage cavity 506. Temperatures measured by temperature sensors 612 may be used by cooling device 100 to estimate the remaining energy absorption capacity of PCM 704. Cooling device 100 may display the estimated time remaining using a digital screen or by communication to a connected computing device.

[0056] Referring now to FIG. 10, process 1000 is shown for estimating holdover energy available in cooling device 100 in accordance with various embodiments. Process 1000 may be executed by a printed circuit board or processor of cooling device 100. Cooling device may read temperature sensors 612 in (Block 1002). There may be multiple temperature sensors positioned to read the temperature of PCM 704 at different locations. [0057] Cooling device 100 may calculate the average temperature in various embodiments (Block 1004). Other embodiments may use a maximum temperature, a minimum temperature, or other combination of temperatures measured by temperature sensors 612.

[0058] In some embodiments, cooling device 100 then estimates holdover energy' from the average PCM temperature (Block 1006). Cooling device 100 may reference plot 900 of FIG. 9 to estimate holdover energy from the average measured PCM temperature. Cooling device 100 may use a lookup table or may apply a function to estimate holdover energy' from the average measured PCM temperature.

[0059] Various embodiments of cooling device 100 calculate the incoming energy rate in various embodiments (Block 1008). The incoming power rate (P) may be calculated as P = UA * (Ambient Temperature - Average PCM Temperature). The ambient temperature may be a temperature measured at an outer surface of body 102. Average PCM temperature may be measured and calculated in Block 1004. U is power flux per temperature and A is surface area. U*A may thus have units of watts/°C. The surface area (A) is the external surface area of body 102.

[0060] In various embodiments, cooling device 100 calculates holdover (Block 1010). The holdover may be calculated as holdover energy (from Block 1006) I incoming energy (from Block 1008). The holdover result may be calculated in seconds and converted to a desired unit. For example, some embodiments convert holdover from seconds to hours (Block 1012). Minutes or other time units may also be used to output holdover. Cooling device 100 communicates holdover to a user via interface 110 or by wireless or wired communication with a computing device. For example, cooling device 100 may communicate with a smartphone to output holdover and relevant temperature data to users. [0061] Various cooling devices of the present disclosure include a storage compartment functioning as an aluminum ice pack. Aluminum improves conduction from PCM to interior compartment compared to less thermally conductive materials, though at a higher production cost than materials like plastic. Embedded temperature sensors may be used to calculate holdover in some embodiments or may be omitted in other embodiments. Holdover calculations may be surplus for coolers that are used for short term transport, for example.

[0062] Calculation is performed in the body of the cooling device 100, and thus uses an electronic connection between the aluminum ice pack and the body of the cooling device. Some embodiments may be configured without some of the electronics and temperature sensors described herein to reduce production costs. Embodiments of cooling device 100 including the electronics and temperature sensors (e.g., the smart ice pack) can use the temperature to time curve to accurately calculate holdover time.

[0063] Embodiments including a hydrophobic fabric covering the exterior may be easily sanitized and cleaned. Other embodiments may use hard plastic exteriors to achieve many of the same things at a lower cost.

[0064] Various embodiments include integrated cellular data communication. Remote cellular communications may be used for remote cellular monitoring. Cooling devices may log temperature conditions in onboard memory or storage or may transmit conditions to remote devices for review and logging. Passive cooling devices described herein have been tested to maintain 45 hours of holdover in 25°C ambient conditions.

[0065] Various embodiments of passive cooling devices may maintain temperatures within a tight range of 1-6°C with the interior surface of the storage compartment having temperature uniformity within 0.2°C. Cooling devices of the present disclosure transport and store blood and plasma in conformance with tight temperature control standards, while automating electronic record keeping in some embodiments. [0066] Various embodiments include insulation in cooling devices protected from external conditions, impacts, and contaminants by a foam layer and an outer skin. The metallic interior is easily sanitized for transport and storage of sensitive biological material.

[0067] Embodiments may also include integrated electronic record keeping. Cooling devices can communicate with remote computing devices using cellular or other wireless communication technologies. Users can access the data from the remote computing device anywhere, anytime. The data retention capabilities of cooling devices enable recording of temperatures encountered by various temperature sensors. A National Institute of Standards & Technology ⁷ (NIST) traceable temperature sensor is a calibrated temperature sensor, which may be attached to the floor of the icepack. NIST traceability is the calibration record of NIST traceable temperature sensors being used to calibrate other temperature sensors. The temperatures are maintained within a range of 1°C -6°C, 2°C -5°C, or 3°C -4°C in various embodiments.

[0068] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein regarding specific embodiments. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one ⁷ ’ unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B. or C” is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.

[0069] Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided herein. In the detailed description herein, references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments.

[0070] Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 1 12(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for.” As used herein, the terms "comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article. or apparatus.