Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an accessory powered by an auxiliary power unit of a vehicle are provided. The method includes a control module determining when a primary power source of a vehicle is deactivated. The method also includes the control module determining when an auxiliary power unit is activated after deactivation of the primary power source. Also, the method includes the control module automatically controlling the accessory powered by the auxiliary power unit when the control module determines that the primary power source is deactivated and the auxiliary power unit is activated.

Abstract: A method of pairing a sensor node of a transport refrigeration system with a coordinator node using an assisting device in a communication network is provided, the method includes: the assisting device obtains identification information of the sensor node; the assisting device connects with the coordinator node; the assisting device transmits the identification information of the sensor node to the coordinator node for the coordinator node to pair with the sensor node; the assisting device receives pairing status of the sensor node and the coordinator node; and the assisting device indicates the pairing status.

Abstract: Methods and systems for coordinated zone operation of the MTRS are provided. The method includes a MTRS controller determining whether a first zone environmental condition difference between a first zone measured environmental condition and a first zone desired set point environmental condition is greater than a first threshold. The method also includes the MTRS controller coordinating operation of the first environmental condition unit and the second environmental condition unit when the first zone environmental condition difference is determined to be greater than the first threshold.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for use in transport includes a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator connected in series, an evaporator fan, a supply air temperature sensor, a return air temperature sensor, and a controller. The evaporator fan is configured to discharge supply air from the system to a refrigerated space. The supply air temperature sensor is configured to sense the supply air temperature of the supply air. The return air temperature sensor is configured to sense a return air temperature of return air returning from the refrigerated space to the system. The controller is programmed to determine a requirement for moderate heating and a requirement for increased heating based on the supply air temperature and the return air temperature, to activate the evaporator fan when the requirement for moderate heating is determined, and to increase a speed of the evaporator fan when the requirement for increased heating is determined.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the release of heat by a temperature control unit are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes monitoring a heat release condition of the temperature control unit. This method also includes determining, via a controller, whether to release the heat generated by the temperature control unit to an ambient environment outside of the internal space based on the heat release condition. Also, this method includes operating a HVAC circuit of the temperature control unit in a heat release mode when the controller determines that the heat generated by the temperature control unit is to be released to the ambient environment outside the internal space. Further, this method includes operating the HVAC circuit of the temperature control in a heat storage mode when the controller determines that the heat generated by the HVAC unit is not to be released to the ambient environment outside the internal space.

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.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for power demand management are described herein. One or more embodiments comprise peer to peer short range wireless communications. One or more embodiments comprise BLE advertising channel features. Other embodiments are also described herein.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring belt tension and determining belt lifespan in a TRS are disclosed. An embodiment of a self-tensioner can include a sensor connected to a self-tensioner in a belt driven system and a magnet that passes over the sensor to generate a signal. The sensor detects the signal, and the signal in conjunction with an angle of the magnet is converted into a voltage value. The method can include a controller connected to the self-tensioner, the controller converts the voltage value into a tension value, and stores the tension value among a plurality of premeasured tension values in a memory, where the controller compares the tension value and the plurality of premeasured tension values to determine a belt tension condition of the belt in the belt-driven system.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (TRS) and method of operating a TRS having a sorption subsystem are disclosed. The TRS includes a refrigeration subsystem and a sorption subsystem. The refrigeration subsystem includes a refrigerant, a compressor, a refrigerant condenser, a refrigerant expansion device, and a refrigerant evaporator in fluid communication such that the refrigerant can flow therethrough. The sorption subsystem includes a heat transfer fluid, a heat source, a boiler, a sorption condenser, a sorption expansion valve, a sorption evaporator, and a pump in fluid communication such that the heat transfer fluid can flow therethrough. The sorption evaporator is in thermal communication with the refrigeration subsystem.

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: 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.

Abstract: Methods and systems for predictive emission maintenance of an engine. In one embodiment, a method for predictive emission maintenance of an engine is provided. The method can include a controller obtaining operational status information of the engine upon startup of a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) or a TRU generator set (GenSet). The method also includes the controller predicting engine emission maintenance based on the operational status information. Also, the method includes the controller providing an advanced notification warning based on whether the controller predicts engine emission maintenance.

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.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing power from an energy supply source having a limited charge to one or more self-contained climate controlled storage units are disclosed. The power is provided from an energy supply source having a limited charge to one or more self-contained climate controlled storage units in a transport unit. The method includes determining whether to supply power from the enemy supply source to the one or more self-contained climate controlled storage units; supplying power in response to the determining indicating that power is to be supplied; determining whether to continue supplying power from the energy supply source to the one or more self-contained climate controlled storage units; and stopping supplying power in response to the determining whether to continue indicating that power is no longer to be supplied.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the collection and storage of data are described. In general, the system includes a human-machine interface (HMI), and the HMI includes an interface that is configured to receive and connect with an external device. Generally, the methods and systems involve the use of an external storage device that can store, for example, collected data and/or analyzed data.

Abstract: An internal oil filter is installed at least partially inside a crankcase and/or an oil sump of a compressor. The internal oil filter can receive oil from an oil pressure regulator and filter the oil via filter media. The received oil radially penetrates through the filter media and flow directly into the oil sump from an outside surface of the filter media. This can eliminate the need of fluid lines connecting an outlet of an oil filter to the oil sump and any sealing mechanism therebetween.

Abstract: Methods and systems for power management using a power converter in transport are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes monitoring a varying AC input to the power converter. The method also includes calculating a power factor adjustment based on the monitored varying AC input. Also, the method includes a power converter controller adjusting the power converter based on the calculated power factor adjustment to cause the power converter to supply a reactive current to a varying AC load.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting and correcting improper operation of a compressor in a refrigeration system and/or an HVAC system include a component level detection and prevention and a system level detection and prevention. The system level detection and prevention can be a backup or a confirmation of the component level detection and prevention. The component level detection and prevention can detect and prevent improper compressor operation within a predetermined time so that the compressor's operation period in an improper direction can be minimized, thereby minimizing wear and damage to the compressor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing power to a refrigeration unit or an air conditioner used on a hybrid vehicle. The system includes an accumulation choke, a PWM rectifier, and a frequency inverter. The accumulation choke is configured to receive a first AC power, a second AC power, and a DC power. The accumulation choke and PWM rectifier convert the received power into an intermediate DC power having a peak voltage. The PWM rectifier provides the intermediate DC power to the frequency inverter. The frequency inverter converts the intermediate DC power to an output AC power. The frequency inverter provides the output AC power to the refrigeration unit.