Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a conditioned space, including a supply of cryogen, and a fluid flow path for the cryogen which includes a heat exchanger. A heater is disposed to heat cryogen in the flow path in response to predetermined conditions, and a cryogen pre-heater is disposed to aid the heater. In a first embodiment, the pre-heater is aided by directing warm cryogen in heat exchange relation with cryogen flowing through the pre-heater, with the warm cryogen being taken from a point downstream from the heat exchanger. In another embodiment, the heater generates heated gases as a by-product, with the pre-heater being aided by directing the heated gases in heat exchange relation with cryogen flowing through the pre-heater.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration system, and method of operating same, in which a maximum operating pressure expansion valve and a secondary condenser are used to enhance hot gas heating cycles initiated to hold a predetermined temperature set point, and hot gas defrost cycles. The secondary condenser is disposed in an evaporator section of the refrigeration system, with hot discharge gas from a compressor being directed to the secondary condenser during heating and defrost cycles. A sufficient supply of refrigerant for heating and defrost cycles is ensured by injecting refrigerant from a receiver and condenser into an active heat cycle refrigerant circuit, when the active refrigerant is insufficient to build the pressure on the low pressure side of the refrigeration system to a value sufficient to close the maximum operating pressure expansion valve and the compressor suction pressure is less than the receiver/condenser pressure.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration system having the capability of either heating or cooling at high or low speed and with the compressor loaded or unloaded is controlled by a temperature control system including a heat relay 1K and a speed relay 2K, and has an auxiliary control relay CR which is operative to maintain the compressor speed at a low speed in the temperature band 48 closely above and below the setpoint temperature, and will further maintain the low speed of the compressor for a predetermined time as the temperature rises above or below the narrow temperature band through time delay means 46 which, if uninterrupted in operation for the predetermined time period will drop out the control relay so the system can resume higher speed operation.

Abstract: This invention provides a direct oil return system from the accumulator tank in the refrigerant circuit of a transport refrigeration system to the crankcase of the compressor for returning oil entrained in the refrigerant to the oil sump. A pressure relief valve in the lubricating oil circulating system positively opens under the influence of oil pressure from the positive displacement oil pump whenever the compressor is operating to bleed excess oil from the pump back to the sump. The oil return line from the accumulator tank of the refrigeration system is connected to the valve to enter through another inlet port which opens in response to the pressure relief valve being opened and flows therethrough to another outlet in the valve also in communication with the sump.