Patents Assigned to Thermo King Corporation
  • Patent number: 11489431
    Abstract: A transport climate control system is disclosed. The system includes a compressor, a motor-generator-rectifier machine, a belt drive connected to the motor-generator-rectifier machine and the compressor, at least one condenser fan, at least one evaporator fan, and a DC to DC converter. The motor-generator-rectifier machine connects to the at least one condenser fan, the at least one evaporator fan, and the DC to DC converter. The motor-generator-rectifier machine includes a motor, a low voltage generator connected to the motor, and a rectifier connected to the low voltage generator. The motor-generator-rectifier machine can provide a first low voltage DC power to the at least one condenser fan, the at least one evaporator fan, and the DC to DC converter. The DC to DC converter can convert the first low voltage DC power to a second low voltage DC power that is different from the first low voltage DC power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne Donnellan, Sean Keaveney
  • Patent number: 11479085
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for operating a temperature control system for a temperature controlled goods vehicle, wherein the temperature control system comprises: a solar panel and a temperature control unit comprising: one or more temperature control components; a battery coupled to the solar cell (200) for receiving a first charging current i1 from the solar cell; an engine operative to supply a second charging current i2 to the battery; and a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Oscar Sanz De Acedo Pollan, Tom McNamara
  • Patent number: 11458802
    Abstract: An optimized power converter for use in a transport electrical system that provides power to a transport climate control system is provided. The optimized power converter includes an optimized DC/DC converter and an inverter/active rectifier. The optimized DC/DC converter is only boosts a voltage level when current is directed from a rechargeable energy storage to the inverter/active rectifier and only bucks a voltage level when current is directed from the inverter/active rectifier to the rechargeable energy storage. In a charging mode, the inverter/active rectifier converts three phase AC power into DC power, and the optimized power converter bucks the DC power to a voltage level that is acceptable for charging the rechargeable energy storage. In a discharge mode, the optimized DC/DC converter boosts voltage from the rechargeable energy storage, and the inverter/active rectifier converts boosted DC power into three phase AC power for powering a transport climate control system load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Marcelo Andrade Dias, Ryan Wayne Schumacher, Mark D. Leasure, Vikram Madineni, Alexander Iglizn, Matthias Gorski
  • Patent number: 11448438
    Abstract: A transport climate control system for a climate controlled transport unit includes a main heat transfer circuit and a chiller heat transfer circuit. The main heat transfer circuit includes a compressor, a condenser, a main expansion valve, a main evaporator, a chiller expansion valve, and a chiller evaporator. The main evaporator and a chiller evaporator positioned are in parallel to each other downstream of the condenser. Working fluid and a second process fluid flowing through the main evaporator. Working fluid and a third process fluid flowing through the chiller evaporator. The chiller heat transfer circuit includes the chiller evaporator and the third process fluid is configured to provide auxiliary cooling. A method of operating a transport climate control system for a climate controlled transport unit includes operating in a HVACR and chiller mode, operating in a HVACR mode, and operating a chiller mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Scott A. Waters, Martin Galansky, Michal Kolda, Pavel Houdek, Brad A. Wilke
  • Patent number: 11444526
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a multipurpose power converter for converting power for a transport climate control system are provided. The multipurpose power converter includes a rectifier having a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg. The multipurpose power converter also includes a first switch, a second switch, and an inductor-capacitor network. The first switch and the second switch are connected to the third leg. The inductor-capacitor network is connected to the first switch. When the first switch is on and the second switch is off, the multipurpose power converter is configured as a single-phase AC power converter. When the first switch is off and the second switch is on, the multipurpose power converter is configured as a three-phase AC power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Xiaorui Wang, Ryan Wayne Schumacher
  • Patent number: 11420495
    Abstract: An interface system for connecting a vehicle and a transport climate control system (TCCS) is disclosed. The interface system includes a two-way communication interface that connects a vehicle electrical system (VES) controller and a TCCS controller. The interface system also includes a power interface that connects a vehicle energy source of the VES to the TCCS and a TCCS energy source of the TCCS to the VES. The two-way communication interface is configured to distribute a TCCS status from the TCCS controller to the VES controller, and is configured to distribute a VES status from the VES controller to the TCCS controller. The power interface is configured to distribute power from the vehicle energy source to the TCCS when a VES instruction is received, and distribute power from the TCCS energy source to the VES when a TCCS instruction is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Wayne Schumacher, Mark D. Leasure, Nicholas Allan Cregan, Michael James Vanous, Matthew Srnec, Wallace Stephen Hubbard
  • Patent number: 11396218
    Abstract: A method for providing supplemental flow control of working fluid through a transport climate control circuit during a start-stop cooling operation mode is provided. The method includes closing a main liquid suction solenoid valve disposed between a condenser and an evaporator of the transport climate control circuit when the compressor is OFF. The method also includes monitoring a climate controlled space temperature within a climate controlled space. When the climate controlled space temperature is greater than or equal to a setpoint temperature, the method includes turning a compressor ON, and opening the main liquid suction solenoid valve when a suction pressure at the suction port of the compressor is less than or equal to a predetermined suction pressure threshold. When the climate controlled space temperature is less than or equal to the setpoint temperature, the method includes turning the compressor OFF, and closing the main liquid suction solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Lars I. Sjoholm, Young Chan Ma, Casey Briscoe, Santiago Martinez Ballester
  • Patent number: 11383584
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration unit and a method for controlling the transport refrigeration unit, wherein the transport refrigeration unit has a controller device for operating a compressor of the transport refrigeration unit with a continuously-variable speed, which allows the compressor to run continuously but with a smooth gradient range of speed variations. The controller device allows the transport refrigeration unit to have a start-stop operation stage, continuous run operation stage, and/or a cycle-sentry operation stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Dykes, Ross T. Nelson, James E. Conde
  • Patent number: 11376922
    Abstract: A transport climate control system is disclosed. The transport climate control system includes a self-configuring matrix power converter having a charging mode, an inverter circuit, a controller, a first DC energy storage and a second DC energy storage, and a compressor. The first DC energy storage and the second DC energy storage have different voltage levels. During the charging mode, the inverter circuit is configured to convert a first AC voltage from an energy source to a first DC voltage, the controller is configured to control the self-configuring matrix power converter to convert the first DC voltage to a first output DC voltage to charge the first DC energy storage, and/or to a second output DC voltage to charge the second DC energy storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventor: Ryan Wayne Schumacher
  • Patent number: 11351842
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (TRS) includes a first heat transfer circuit including a first compressor, a condenser, a first expansion device, and a cascade heat exchanger. The first compressor, the condenser, the first expansion device, and the cascade heat exchanger are in fluid communication such that a first heat transfer fluid can flow therethrough. The TRS includes a second heat transfer circuit including a second compressor, the cascade heat exchanger, a second expansion device, and an evaporator. The second compressor, the cascade heat exchanger, the second expansion device, and the evaporator are in fluid communication such that a second heat transfer fluid can flow therethrough. The first heat transfer circuit and the second heat transfer circuit are arranged in thermal communication at the cascade heat exchanger such that the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid are in a heat exchange relationship at the cascade heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen A. Kujak, Kenneth J. Schultz, Jeffrey B. Berge, Panayu Robert Srichai, Vladimir Sulc, Michal Kolda, John R. Sauls
  • Patent number: 11351841
    Abstract: There is disclosed a transport refrigeration system comprising an electronically governed engine that drives a refrigeration circuit of the system. The engine control unit is configured to operate the engine in a droop mode of operation, in which the engine speed increases with decreasing engine loads from the refrigeration circuit, so as to maximise the cooling capacity of the system at low engine load conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventor: Pierce D. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 11336181
    Abstract: An inverter-converter system includes a DC source, a DC to DC boost converter, a DC link capacitor, an inverter circuit, a variable speed electric machine, and a controller. The DC to DC boost converter receives an input DC voltage from the DC source. The inverter circuit converts the variable boosted voltage to an AC voltage to drive the variable speed electric machine. The controller senses a plurality of parameters from the variable speed electric machine, and controls the DC to DC boost converter to boost up the input DC voltage to a variable output voltage based on the plurality of parameters and/or the voltage (or load) needed by the variable speed electric machine. The design of the inverter-converter system can achieve an electrical efficiency and cost savings for the overall system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Wayne Schumacher, Johannes Hendricus Vissers, Cas Bakker
  • Patent number: 11326820
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for a TRS to automatically sense a voltage level and configuration of an input AC power provided by an AC power source and automatically adapt to the input AC power being used are provided. When the voltage level of an input AC power supplied to a TRS changes, the TRS can automatically detect the change of the voltage level, and adjust a winding configuration of a compressor motor of the TRS and a voltage level of the TRS based on the detected voltage level of the input AC power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventor: Vaitheeswaran Kandasamy
  • Patent number: 11300125
    Abstract: Embodiments to help detect operation conditions of a compressor of a TRU in real time by a genset are disclosed. The operation conditions of the compressor can be determined by monitoring a parameter pattern of the genset, such as value changes of a horsepower, a torque, an exhaust temperature, fuel consumption and/or a RPM of a prime mover of the genset, or a current drawn from a generator of the genset, over a period of time. In one embodiment, when a scroll compressor is used in the TRU, the scroll compressor may start a periodical load/unload duty cycle when the TRU reaches its setpoint. The periodical load/unload duty cycle of the scroll compressor can be detected based on a corresponding fluctuation pattern in genset parameters. When this periodically fluctuating pattern of ECU parameters and/or current drawn is detected, the prime mover can be switched to a low operation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Randall Scott Burnham, David Jon Renken, Erich Albert Lucht, Cullen Evan Hall
  • Patent number: 11273684
    Abstract: A method for autonomous climate control optimization of a transport vehicle having a climate control system is provided. The method includes a controller receiving geolocation specific data providing location information of the transport vehicle. The method also includes the controller receiving climate control data providing operational status information of the climate control system. The method also includes the controller receiving passenger/load data providing passenger/load information travelling in the transport vehicle. Also, the method includes the controller generating adjustment instructions of the climate control system based on the geolocation specific data, the climate control data, and the passenger/load data. Further, the method includes adjusting operation of the climate control system based on the adjustment instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Katherine Holmstrom, Scott Wenger
  • Patent number: 11273687
    Abstract: A climate control circuit for a transport climate control system is provided. The circuit includes a compressor, a plurality of evaporators, a suction flow control device, and a controller. The suction flow control device is downstream of the plurality of evaporators and directs the working fluid from each of the evaporators to one of a main suction port and an auxiliary port of the compressor. The controller determines whether each of the evaporators is operating in a fresh temperature range or in a frozen temperature range. For each of the evaporators operating in the fresh temperature range, the controller instructs the suction flow control device to direct the working fluid from the corresponding evaporator to the auxiliary suction port. For each of the plurality of evaporators operating in the frozen temperature range, the controller instructs the suction flow control device to direct the working fluid to the main suction port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph R. Kaiser, Lars I. Sjoholm, Panayu Robert Srichai, David J. Dykes
  • Patent number: 11260723
    Abstract: A method for power and load management of a transport climate control system using a vehicle electrical system is provided. The method includes a controller determining a power draw of the transport climate control load network, determining an amount of power available from the vehicle electrical system, and determining whether the power draw of the transport climate control load network exceeds the amount of power available from the vehicle electrical system. Also, the method includes shedding one or more loads of the transport climate control load network to reduce the power draw of the transport climate control load network until the power draw of the transport climate control load network matches the power available from the vehicle electrical system. Further, the method includes supplying power from the vehicle electrical system to the transport climate control load network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Wayne Schumacher, Frantisek Zebra, Joan Vila Soler, Jordi Garcia Farran, Vikram Madineni
  • Patent number: D942392
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn Alan Schemmel, Diarmaid Thomas Bucke, Niall Lynch
  • Patent number: D944199
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn Alan Schemmel, Diarmaid Thomas Bucke, Niall Lynch
  • Patent number: D963000
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Shiva Kumar Dakshina Murthy, Prasanna Kumar, Lawrence Hong