Abstract: A refrigeration system for a container for refrigerating chilled cargo includes a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator connected in series. The system further includes a heater and sensors configured to sense the temperature of the supply air and the temperature of the return air. A controller is programmed to determine one of a requirement for heating and a requirement for cooling based on the temperature of the return air and the temperature of the supply air. The controller is programmed to activate the evaporator fan when a requirement for heating is determined and to increase the speed of the evaporator fan when increased heating is determined. The controller is also programmed to activate the compressor and the evaporator fan when a requirement for cooling is determined and to increase the power supplied to the compressor and maintain the evaporator fan at a first speed when increased cooling is determined.

Abstract: A generator set for a transport refrigeration unit that is operable at a first frequency and a second frequency. The generator set includes a generator and a prime mover. The generator set is controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) that is coupled to a controller. The ECU is configured to monitor the engine operation condition to obtain an engine operation condition value; whereas the controller is configured to receive the engine operation condition value and compare the value with an engine operation condition threshold. When the engine operation condition value, for example, exceeds the engine operation condition threshold, the controller instructs the ECU to operate the engine at a first speed; and when the engine operation condition value, for example, is below the engine operation condition threshold, the controller instructs the ECU to operate the engine at a second speed that is slower than the first speed.

Abstract: A buck/boost rectifier. The rectifier is connectable to an alternating current power source and includes an upper bus, a lower bus, an upper rectifier, a lower rectifier, a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) controller, a phase-angle (PA) controller, and a capacitor. The upper rectifier is coupled to the upper bus, and the lower rectifier is coupled in a series-type relationship with the upper rectifier and to the lower bus. The PWM controller is coupled to the lower rectifier and is configured to boost a direct current (DC) voltage output by the rectifier. The PA controller is coupled to the lower rectifier and is configured to buck the DC voltage output by the rectifier. The capacitor is coupled between the upper bus and the lower bus.

Abstract: A method of controlling an auxiliary power unit of a vehicle. The auxiliary power unit is in communication with an air conditioning system of the vehicle and includes an engine and an alternator coupled to the engine. The method includes determining a state of a compressor of the air conditioning system, the compressor including an off state and an on state, reducing an alternator load relative to the engine in response to the compressor being varied from the off state to the on state, increasing the alternator load relative to the engine after a predetermined time interval, and simultaneously operating the alternator up to an alternator load capacity and the compressor up to a compressor load capacity.

Abstract: A method of operating a transport refrigeration unit that is operable to regulate a temperature of a cargo space. The method includes providing a controller, driving a refrigerant compressor of the transport refrigeration unit with an internal combustion engine to compress a refrigerant defining an engine operating state of the transport refrigeration unit, and driving the refrigerant compressor of the transport refrigeration unit with an electric motor to compress the refrigerant defining a motor operating state of the transport refrigeration unit. The method further includes sensing the temperature of the cargo space, receiving into the controller a signal indicative of the temperature of the cargo space, determining the temperature of the cargo space using the controller, and switching between the engine operating state and the motor operating state in response to a signal generated by the controller based on the temperature of the cargo space.

Abstract: Systems and methods for remote monitoring of a transport refrigeration system are provided. In one embodiment, a transport refrigeration system (“TRS”) is provided that includes a transport refrigeration unit (“TRU”) and a generator set (“genset”). The TRU includes a refrigeration circuit and a TRS controller. The genset includes a power generator a genset controller, a TRU remote monitoring device configured to obtain TRU telemetry data and a genset remote monitoring device configured to obtain genset telemetry data. The TRS genset is configured to send the TRS telemetry data to an external server.

Abstract: Embodiments of a handheld probe are described. The handheld probe may have a housing. The housing of the handheld probe may have a handle section and a probe shell section that is configured to house a probe. The handle section may have a hexagonal-shaped profile so that the handheld probe can be positioned on a flat surface of the hexagonal-shaped profile. In some embodiments, the handle section may have a center hole that is configured to accept a cable. The cable may be potted in the center hole filled with epoxy to prevent moisture from getting into the cable. In some embodiments, the probe shell section may be configured to have a thin wall so that the handheld probe can have a rapid response to temperature changes. A tip of the probe shell section may also be silver brazed to help with fast temperature response.

Abstract: Methods and systems for real-time engine load control (RTLC) for electronically controlled engines in a transport refrigeration system (TRS) are provided. In particular, a RTLC system is provided to control an electronically controlled engine for the TRS in order to maximize temperature control of the TRS, while preventing engine shut down due to a TRS load demand that exceeds the engine's horsepower output capability. The RTLC system includes an engine control unit (ECU) connected to a TRS controller. TRS controller includes an ECU data processing component, a load control component, an ETV control component, a TRS load demand component and a temperature control and TRS protection component.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration system includes an engine, a generator set, and a refrigeration system. An electronic control unit and/or a reefer controller are configured to obtain an engine operation condition value and a transport refrigeration system operation value respectively. A genset controller is configured to determine a fuel efficient engine operation speed that is associated with the engine and/or transport refrigeration system operation condition value. The genset controller instructs the electronic control unit to operate the engine at the fuel efficient operation speed.

Abstract: Embodiments of a TRS Controller to ECU interface are provided. The interface includes a TRS Controller connected to an ECU that is part of an engine. The interface includes a keyswitch connection that is configured to send a keyswitch message from the TRS Controller to the ECU, a run signal connection that is configured to send a run message from the TRS Controller to the ECU, and a CAN communication connection that is configured to provide two-way communication between the TRS Controller and the ECU.

Abstract: A generator set including a prime mover, a generator coupled to the prime mover, and a controller that is associated with a temperature controlled space and operates the generator set in one of a start/stop mode and a continuous mode depending on a demand defined at least in part by contents within the temperature controlled space.

Abstract: A horizontal suction accumulator generally includes a tank, an inlet tube, and an outlet tube. The tank extends in a horizontal direction and is configured to receive a refrigerant. The refrigerant includes a vapor and a liquid. The tank stores the liquid refrigerant and discharges the vapor refrigerant. The inlet tube supplies into the tank an inlet stream that includes the liquid and vapor refrigerants. The inlet tube extends into the tank and is bent upward at an acute angle. The liquid refrigerant is stored in the tank. The vapor refrigerant is discharged through the outlet tube, which extends offset from the inlet tube and into the tank. The inlet tube defines an inlet opening positioned at a first elevation, the outlet tube defines an outlet opening positioned at a second elevation, and the first and second elevations are substantially the same.

Abstract: A mobile unit (e.g., a vehicle or a mobile environment-controlled unit) having a multiphase alternator, such as a three-phase alternator. The unit incorporates a Hall Effect current sensor to monitor all three phases of the high-voltage AC bus from the alternator.

Abstract: A mobile environment-controlled unit, such as an over-the-road compartment trailer, having an environmental-control system, such as a refrigeration unit, powered by an alternator and having a high-voltage alternating current (AC) bus. The unit incorporates a high resistance ground scheme and can incorporate a solid-state input module to detect phase-chassis faults. This combination provides an improvement in protection for mobile applications that cannot have a voltage reference (or neutral point) solidly connected to earth ground.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration system generally includes a support structure, a heat exchanger, and at least two pairs of mounts for mounting the heat exchanger to the support structure. The support structure is configured to be coupled to a transport container. The heat exchanger includes two sides and defines a longitudinal direction that extends from one side to the other side. Each pair of mounts includes a fixed mount coupled to one side of the heat exchanger, and a floating mount coupled to the other side of the heat exchanger, the floating mount positioned substantially opposite to the fixed mount in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A mobile environment-controlled unit comprising a chassis, a compartment supported by the chassis, and an environmental-control system in environmental communication with the compartment. The environmental-control system is configured to control an environmental parameter of the compartment. The environmental-control system includes an AC Alternator and a controller. The AC alternator is powered by an internal combustion engine and supplies electrical power for the environmental-control system. The controller is configured to monitor the environmental parameter of the compartment, monitor one or more electrical parameters of the AC alternator, control the environmental-control system based on the monitored environmental parameter, and control the AC alternator based on the monitored parameters of the alternator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for handling discrete sensor information in a transport refrigeration system are provided. In one embodiment, a wireless control system for a transport refrigeration system is provided. The wireless control system includes two or more wireless end nodes and a network coordinator. Each of the wireless end nodes is configured to monitor a property of the transport refrigeration system. The network coordinator is configured to manage, command, direct and regulate the behavior of the wireless end nodes. Also, the network coordinator includes a sensor to zone coordinator that is configured to combine sensor data received by the two or more wireless end nodes to control a single transport refrigeration system function of the transport refrigeration system.

Abstract: A method of balancing current in a vehicle electric system having a system bus, a first battery, a first bi-directional battery voltage converter selectively transferring a first current between the first battery and the system bus, a second battery, a second bi-directional battery voltage converter selectively transferring a second current between the second battery and the system bus, and a controller controlling the first bi-directional battery voltage converter and the second bi-directional battery voltage converter. The method includes sensing the first current and sensing the second current. The first bi-directional battery voltage converter and the second bi-directional battery voltage converter are controlled so that the first current and the second current are equal portions of a load current supplied to an electrical load connected to the system bus.

Abstract: A method for operating a refrigeration system for a container to pull down the temperature of cargo from ambient to a predetermined set-point temperature, and a system employing the method. The method includes operating a compressor at a first power to compress a refrigerant and direct the refrigerant through a condenser and an evaporator of the refrigeration system, initially operating an evaporator fan at a first speed to supply refrigerated supply air from the evaporator to the cargo within the container, sensing the temperature of the supply air, comparing the temperature of the supply air with a predetermined set-point temperature, and increasing the speed of the evaporator fan to a second speed faster than the first when the temperature of the supply air is lower than the predetermined set-point temperature to maintain the temperature of the supply air at the predetermined set-point temperature.

Abstract: A mobile environment-controlled unit having a structure, a compartment supported by the structure, and an environmental-control system in environmental communication with the compartment. The environmental-control system is configured to control an environmental parameter of the compartment. The environmental-control system includes an internal combustion engine, having a starter, powering the environmental-control system; a battery powering the starter; and a controller. The controller monitors battery health status, predicts battery failure, and communicates the predicted battery failure. Also, described is a method of operating the mobile environment-controlled unit and a controller for controlling the mobile environment-controlled unit.