US 11,939,150 B2
Transformable refrigerated cargo containers
Robert E. Grip, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (US); Jared Backues, Chicago, IL (US); and Ted K. Rothaupt, Chicago, IL (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Jan. 20, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/580,072.
Prior Publication US 2023/0227250 A1, Jul. 20, 2023
Int. Cl. B65D 88/74 (2006.01); F25D 3/12 (2006.01); F25D 11/00 (2006.01); F25D 29/00 (2006.01)
CPC B65D 88/74 (2013.01) [F25D 3/125 (2013.01); F25D 11/003 (2013.01); F25D 29/003 (2013.01); F25B 2400/01 (2013.01); F25B 2400/06 (2013.01); F25D 2400/02 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A transformable cargo container for use with ground and air transportation vehicles, the transformable cargo container comprising:
a main container body defining a storage chamber therein and comprising at least one inlet; and
a transformable assembly coupled to the main container body and positioned at an exterior of the main container body, wherein:
the transformable assembly comprises one or more supplemental containers and one or more supply ducts, at least one of the one or more supplemental containers being configured to house refrigeration equipment,
the one or more supplemental containers comprises a first container rotatably coupled to the main container body via a first hinge and a second container rotatably coupled to the first container via a second hinge and a bracket,
the refrigeration equipment is configured to control a temperature inside the main container body,
the transformable assembly is configured to be moved between an aircraft configuration and a ground configuration,
the first hinge is configured to couple to a sprocket,
the transformable assembly further comprises a drive gear coupled to the main container body and configured to couple to the sprocket and move the transformable assembly between the aircraft configuration and the ground configuration based on movement of the sprocket,
based on the transformable assembly being in the aircraft configuration, the refrigeration equipment is configured to supply coolant into the main container body via the one or more supply ducts and the at least one inlet, and
based on the transformable assembly being in the ground configuration, the refrigeration equipment is configured to supply coolant into the main container body via the one or more supply ducts and the at least one inlet.