Abstract: A configurable evaporator unit for a secondary heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system that provides conditioned air within a cabin portion of a vehicle is provided. The configurable evaporator unit includes an evaporator unit and a blower assembly disposed within a housing. The blower assembly houses an evaporator blower for directing conditioned air out of the configurable evaporator unit. The blower assembly includes a plurality of blower openings for directing conditioned air out of the blower assembly. The housing includes a plurality of housing openings. One or more of the plurality of housing openings is prevented from directing conditioned air out of the configurable evaporator unit.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 19, 2017
Date of Patent:
October 29, 2019
Assignee:
Thermo King Corporation
Inventors:
Srinivasa Rao Koppineedi, Michael R. Weiss, Peter J. Loomis, Terrence Bray
Abstract: A method for defrosting a heat exchanger of a refrigeration circuit is provided. The method includes monitoring a compressor suction parameter at a suction line to a compressor of the refrigeration circuit. The method also includes determining a compressor suction parameter threshold. Also, the method includes initiating a defrost mode of the refrigeration circuit when the compressor suction parameter is less than or equal to the compressor suction parameter threshold.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 21, 2015
Date of Patent:
October 15, 2019
Assignee:
Thermo King Corporation
Inventors:
Martin Galansky, Michal Kolda, Michal Hegar, Pavel Houdek, Petra Stavova
Abstract: Systems and methods to distribute airflow in an internal space of a transport unit are described. The airflow distribution system may include an airflow distributor forming an airflow passage with a roof of the transport unit. The airflow distribution system may be also configured to allow airflow to discharge from a gap between the airflow distributor and the roof. The gap may be provided by at least one spacer between the airflow distributor and the roof. A back end of the airflow distribution system may be configured to provide a back pressure to the airflow passage while allowing the airflow to discharge. In operation, a front end of the airflow distribution system may be configured to receive airflow. The airflow can be distributed along the airflow passage and be discharged from the gap and the back end.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 28, 2014
Date of Patent:
October 8, 2019
Assignee:
Thermo King Corporation
Inventors:
Christopher David Ertel, Abhijith Balakrishna, Wilson Samuel Jesudason Lawrence, Rajesh Ps, Wayne Donnellan, Kenneth Gleeson, Gary Mullins, John Gough
Abstract: A transport refrigeration unit (TRU) includes a compressor. The TRU further includes a condenser disposed downstream of the compressor. The TRU further includes an expansion device disposed downstream of the condenser. The TRU further includes a first flow control device disposed downstream of the condenser. The TRU further includes a first evaporator disposed downstream of the expansion device and the first flow control device. The first evaporator is disposed upstream of a second flow control device. The second evaporator is disposed downstream of the first flow control device, the expansion device, and the second flow control device. The second evaporator includes a thermal accumulator. The second flow control device disposed upstream of the compressor.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 28, 2016
Date of Patent:
October 8, 2019
Assignee:
Thermo King Corporation
Inventors:
Panayu Robert Srichai, Vladimir Sulc, Gary O. McGinley, Eric Kirby, Christopher L Ganshert, Christopher J. Kroeker, Casey Briscoe
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.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 30, 2018
Publication date:
October 3, 2019
Applicant:
Thermo King Corporation
Inventors:
Matthew Srnec, Russell L. Sanders, Shawn Alan Schemmel, Matthew S. Nelson, Mark P Weber
Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for providing automotive type transient protection of a solar charge source. In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes a load and a solar charge source for providing DC power to the load. The solar charge source including a solar charge controller including an automotive type transient suppression module configured to provide automotive type transient protection for the solar charge source from an automotive type transient.
Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein to use a discharge pressure of a compressor to drive refrigerant in a refrigeration system. Particularly, systems and methods are described herein to help recover liquid refrigerant from a liquid refrigerant section and/or a condenser coil to be used in a heating/defrost mode in a transport refrigerant unit (TRU). The liquid refrigerant can be recovered by directing the discharge refrigerant of the compressor to a liquid refrigerant section, which may include a receiver tank, a dryer and associated refrigerant lines, and/or a condenser coil. The discharge pressure of the discharge port can help drive refrigerant trapped in the liquid refrigerant section and/or the condenser coil into the heating/defrost branch of the TRU, which may include an evaporator coil, an accumulator tank and/or associated refrigerant lines.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 29, 2014
Date of Patent:
August 13, 2019
Assignee:
Thermo King Corporation
Inventors:
Vladimír {hacek over (S)}ulc, Pavel Ikráth, Panayu Robert Srichai, Srinivasa Rao Koppineedi, Malcom Miles
Abstract: Examples of an electrically powered transport refrigeration unit (TRU) are disclosed. The TRU may include a refrigeration circuit that includes an electrically powered compressor, an evaporator equipped with an electrically powered blower, and a gas cooler equipped with an electrically powered blower. The TRU may also include a control circuit and a power regulator unit. The power regulator unit may be configured to supply variable DC and/or AC outputs to power components of the refrigeration circuit, and the control circuit may be configured to regulate the variable DC and AC outputs of the power regulator unit so as to control the operation of the TRU. The electrically powered TRU may be configured to use R774 as refrigerant.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 30, 2017
Date of Patent:
August 13, 2019
Assignee:
Thermo King Corporation
Inventors:
Michal Kolda, Michal Hegar, Vladimir Kmoch, Vaclav Rajtmajer
Abstract: Methods and systems for an energy efficient MTRS are provided. In one embodiment, a refrigerated transport unit is provided that includes a multi-zone transport unit and an energy efficient MTRS. The multi-zone transport unit includes an internal space separated into a first zone and a second zone. The internal space includes a zone separator separating and thermally isolating the first zone and the second zone. The energy efficient MTRS is configured to control and maintain a separate environmental condition requirement of each of the first zone and the second zone. The energy efficient MTRS includes a remote fan unit provided between the first zone and the second zone. The remote fan unit is configured to provide a heat exchange between the first zone and the second zone for providing climate control within the second zone.
Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically adjust control parameters of a TRS according to local, regional and/or federal regulations on emissions, noise and/or other requirements applicable to a particular location and/or time, are provided. When the TRS is operating within a predefined geographic region at a specific time, control parameters or an operation mode of the TRS can be automatically adjusted so that emission and/or noise from the TRS can be compliant with the regulations applicable to that predefined geographic region.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 27, 2013
Date of Patent:
July 16, 2019
Assignee:
THERMO KING CORPORATION
Inventors:
Scott Robert Bates, Robert Michael Lattin, Erich Albert Lucht
Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (TRS) for refrigeration of a transport unit is disclosed. The TRS includes an eutectic device, including an eutectic medium, connected to a refrigerant circuit and a cooling fluid circuit. A method for cooling with the eutectic device is also disclosed. The eutectic device including the eutectic medium is cooled with one or both of the cooling fluid circuit and/or the refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant circuit directs a refrigerant from a transport refrigeration unit.
Abstract: A method for freeze protection for a temperature control system, and a temperature control system for controlling the temperature of a temperature-controlled space at a set point temperature. The method includes monitoring a discharge air temperature, monitoring a return air temperature, setting a target temperature to equal the set point temperature, controlling the return air temperature at the target temperature, and adjusting the target temperature based on the return air temperature when the discharge air temperature drops to one of at or below freezing.
Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling an association between wireless devices in an assigned domain or bonded area of a transport unit are disclosed. Generally, the embodiments include identifying wireless devices in a bounded area, and establishing an association between the wireless devices. The method may include identifying new wireless device(s) when the transport unit is away from other transport units, and establishing an association with the new wireless device(s). Confirming that the transport unit is away from other transport units may include determining that the transport unit is in a motion state for a predetermined period of time.
Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the operation of the evaporator fans in a transport refrigeration system (TRS) are described. In some examples, the TRS is a multi-zone temperature control system (MTCS). The methods and systems described herein generally dynamically control a plurality of system fans in MTCSs in instances where running the system fans can lead to inefficiencies in energy consumption and fluctuations in temperature control.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 2, 2014
Date of Patent:
April 9, 2019
Assignee:
THERMO KING CORPORATION
Inventors:
Srinivasa Rao Koppineedi, Panayu Robert Srichai
Abstract: Methods and systems for a MTRS with an ejector system are provided. The system can include a refrigeration circuit that has a compressor, a first heat exchanger downstream of the compressor, first and second heat exchange units downstream of the first heat exchanger, and an ejector system downstream of the first and second heat exchange units and upstream of the compressor. The first heat exchange unit provides independent climate control to a first zone of the transport unit. The second heat exchange unit provides independent climate control to a second zone of the transport unit. The ejector system mixes refrigerant exiting the first heat exchange unit with refrigerant exiting the second heat exchange unit, increases the pressure of the mixed refrigerant, and directs the mixed refrigerant to the compressor.
Abstract: A system and method for configuring a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) battery charger in a transport refrigeration system (TRS) is provided. The method includes receiving battery topology data indicating a battery topology of a TRU battery equipped in the TRS. The method also includes determining specific parameters for configuring a battery charging algorithm based on the battery topology data. Also, the method includes the TRU battery charger configuring the battery charging algorithm based on the specific parameters.
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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 24, 2018
Date of Patent:
March 19, 2019
Assignee:
THERMO KING CORPORATION
Inventors:
Randall Scott Burnham, David Jon Renken, Erich Albert Lucht, Cullen Evan Hall, Alec Jeffery, Cesar Armengod Villalba
Abstract: Methods and systems for feedback-based load control of a climate control system while in transport are provided. The method can include monitoring a current demand from each of a plurality of DC components of the climate control system. The method can also include determining whether the current demand for two or more of the plurality of DC components is in a discontinuous DC format. Also, the method can include, when two or more of the plurality of DC components is in the discontinuous DC format, determining a synchronization pattern for supplying power to the two or more of the plurality of DC components. Further, the method can include a DC power source of the climate control system directing power to the two or more of the plurality of DC components in the discontinuous DC format based on the synchronization pattern.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 4, 2017
Date of Patent:
March 12, 2019
Assignee:
THERMO KING CORPORATION
Inventors:
Ryan Wayne Schumacher, Matthew S. Nelson, Kyle McMonigal
Abstract: Devices and methods for enhancing heat exchanger airflow in a transport refrigeration system (TRS) of a refrigerated transport unit are provided. In particular, a fairing is provided on a top surface of a TRU to shield the TRU from an adverse effect of wind (e.g., ram air) and build a negative pressure at a heat exchanger fan delivery side of the TRU. The angle, shape and height of the fairing can be optimized to achieve a desired heat exchanger airflow through condenser coil(s), a radiator and/or intercooler of the TRU during operation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 31, 2013
Date of Patent:
March 12, 2019
Assignee:
THERMO KING CORPORATION
Inventors:
Wilson Samuel Jesudason Lawrence, David John Dykes, Abhijith Balakrishna, Christopher Thomas Arneson
Abstract: Methods and systems for periodic system diagnostic of a TRS are provided. In particular, a TRS controller is configured to periodically activate an engine control unit (ECU) of a genset to acquire engine sensor information while the engine is not running. The TRS controller is configured to determine an efficient time to bring the ECU out of a minimum electrical power consumption stage into a medium power consumption stage in order to determine a next action of the TRS.