Abstract: A system for managing ripeness of perishable goods including: a storage device to store perishable good requirements, ripening capability parameters, ripening schedules, and perishable good parameters associated with the perishable goods; and a ripeness management system coupled to the storage device. The ripeness management system including: a current ripeness determination module to determine current ripeness levels in response to at least one of the perishable good parameters, the perishable good requirements, and the ripening schedules; a ripeness schedule module to determine predicted ripeness levels in response to at least one of the current ripeness levels, the ripening capability parameters, and the ripening schedules; and a meshing module to determine ripening schedule adjustments in response to at least one of the current ripeness levels, the perishable good parameters, the ripening schedules, and the ripening capability parameters.

Abstract: An environmental control unit for use with a transport container is provided. The environmental control unit includes: a thermoelectric device; a fan to blow air across the thermoelectric device; a cooling passage configured to receive the air blown across the thermoelectric device and convey the air to a compartment of a transport container when the transport container is removably connected to the environmental control unit; a controller in electronic communication with the thermoelectric device and the fan; a battery configured to power the environmental control unit; and one or more piezoelectric devices configured to generate electrical power to charge the battery, wherein each of the one or more piezoelectric devices is electrically connected to the battery.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration system having a refrigeration unit including: a refrigeration circuit (23) configured to circulate a first refrigerant; a mechanical subcooler (23a); and a battery system (190) configured to power the mechanical subcooler. The mechanical subcooler is thermally connected to the refrigeration circuit.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration unit includes at least one component, a frame (136), and an energy storage module (110). The at least one component is driven by electrical power. The frame (136) is constructed and arranged to structurally support the plurality of components. The energy storage module (110) is adapted to provide the electrical power, and is internally located and supported by the frame (136).

Abstract: A transportation refrigeration unit includes an evaporator circulating a flow of refrigerant therethrough to cool a flow of supply air flowing over the evaporator, a first compressor operably connected to an engine and driven by the engine, a second compressor operably connected to a battery and driven by the battery. The first compressor and/or the second compressor are in fluid communication with the evaporator to compress the flow of refrigerant and configured and connected in parallel with one another. A condenser is in fluid communication with the evaporator and the first compressor and/or the second compressor.

Abstract: A system for managing sanitation of a container for perishable goods including: a storage device to store perishable good requirements, sanitation schedule parameters, sanitation requirements, sanitation test results, and perishable good parameters associated with the perishable goods; and a sanitation management system coupled to the storage device. The sanitation management system including: a sanitation assessment module to determine sanitation risk levels in response to at least one of the perishable good parameters, the perishable good requirements, the sanitation schedule parameters, sanitation test results, and the sanitation requirements; a sanitation schedule module to determine sanitation schedule adjustments in response to at least one of the sanitation risk level, the sanitation schedule parameters, and the sanitation requirements; and a meshing module to determine output parameters in response to at least one of the sanitation risk levels and the sanitation schedule adjustments.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (200) having: a refrigeration unit (22) configured to circulate refrigerant through a refrigeration circuit; a battery system (190) configured to power the refrigeration unit; and a heat transfer system (195) thermally connected to the battery system, the heat transfer system being configured to transfer heat from the flash tank to the battery system through the vaporized refrigerant.

Abstract: A system for managing ripeness of perishable goods including: a storage device to store perishable good requirements, ripening capability parameters, ripening schedules, and perishable good parameters associated with the perishable goods; and a ripeness management system coupled to the storage device. The ripeness management system including: a current ripeness determination module to determine current ripeness levels in response to at least one of the perishable good parameters, the perishable good requirements, and the ripening schedules; a ripeness schedule module to determine predicted ripeness levels in response to at least one of the current ripeness levels, the ripening capability parameters, and the ripening schedules; and a meshing module to determine ripening schedule adjustments in response to at least one of the current ripeness levels, the perishable good parameters, the ripening schedules, and the ripening capability parameters.

Abstract: A method of operating a transport refrigeration system including: controlling, using a controller (30), a plurality of components of the transport refrigeration system, the transport refrigeration system comprising a refrigerated trailer (108) and a refrigeration unit (22) configured to provide refrigerated air to the refrigerated trailer, the controlling includes operating at least one of the refrigeration unit and a battery system (190); powering, using an external power source (400), the refrigeration unit when the transport refrigeration system is connected to the external power source; detecting, using the controller, when the external power source is disconnected from the transport refrigeration system; detecting, using the controller, a connection to the battery system when the external power source is disconnected; activating the battery system when the external power source is disconnected; and powering, using the battery system, a select group of components of the refrigeration unit when the externa

Abstract: A system for facilitating a cold chain in-transit exchange of perishable goods is provided. The system includes a storage device that stores data associated with the perishable goods and a management sub-system that includes a processor and a memory. The management sub-system can be coupled to the storage device. The management sub-system can receive an input comprising the data associated with the perishable goods, perform a quality assessment utilizing the input during a transit period of the perishable goods, and determine whether the cold chain in-transit exchange of the perishable goods should occur based the quality assessment.

Abstract: A system for managing perishable goods within a cold chain distribution system including: a transport refrigeration system including: a refrigerated container; a refrigeration unit coupled to refrigerated container; a controller configured to control the operation of the refrigeration unit; and a plurality of sensors configured to monitor parameters associated with at least one of N the perishable goods, refrigeration unit, and refrigerated container, the plurality of sensors configured to transmit parameters to the controller. The system also includes: a first user device located proximate to refrigerated container and configured to allow manual entry of at least one of driver feedback and user commands; a sensor connectivity module configured to connect first user device to controller; and a network wirelessly connected to first user device, the network including: a storage device to store and a processor to analyze at least one of the requirements, driver feedback, user commands, and parameters.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration unit includes at least one component, a frame (136), and an energy storage module (110). The at least one component is driven by electrical power. The frame (136) is constructed and arranged to structurally support the plurality of components. The energy storage module (110) is adapted to provide the electrical power, and is internally located and supported by the frame (136).

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) unit includes an evaporator circulating a flow of refrigerant therethrough to cool a flow of compartment air flowing over the evaporator, and a condenser operably connected to the evaporator to condense the flow of refrigerant therethrough. The evaporator and the condenser are relatively positioned such that a liquid condensate at an exterior of the evaporator is directed by gravity onto an exterior of the condenser to increase an operating capacity of the condenser.

Abstract: A system for comparing perishable goods including: a storage device (80) to store consumer parameters (84) and historical quality parameters (82) associated with the perishable goods; and a quality management system (90) coupled to the storage device.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the freshness of perishable goods including: a storage device (80) to store consumer parameters (84) and historical freshness parameters (82) associated with the perishable goods; a freshness management system (90) coupled to the storage device. The freshness management system including: a current freshness module (92) to determine a current freshness parameter of the perishable goods in response to the historical freshness parameters; a freshness projection module (94) to determine predicted freshness parameters of the perishable goods in response to the historical freshness parameters and the consumer parameters; and a meshing module (96) to determine output parameters (100) in response to at least one of the historical freshness parameters, the consumer parameters, the current freshness parameters, and the predicted freshness parameters.

Abstract: A method of operating a transport refrigeration system including: controlling, using a controller (30), a plurality of components of the transport refrigeration system, the transport refrigeration system comprising a refrigerated trailer (108) and a refrigeration unit (22) configured to provide refrigerated air to the refrigerated trailer, the controlling includes operating at least one of the refrigeration unit and a battery system (190); powering, using an external power source (400), the refrigeration unit when the transport refrigeration system is connected to the external power source; detecting, using the controller, when the external power source is disconnected from the transport refrigeration system; detecting, using the controller, a connection to the battery system when the external power source is disconnected; activating the battery system when the external power source is disconnected; and powering, using the battery system, a select group of components of the refrigeration unit when the externa

Abstract: A cooling unit (506) for a vehicle (200) is provided. The cooling unit includes a compressor (428) electrically connected to a power module (314), a condenser (530) operably connected to the compressor, an evaporator (536) operably connected to the compressor and the condenser, the evaporator configured to cool ambient air (520), and at least one flexible duct (208) configured to fluidly connect the evaporator with a cargo held in a cargo space of the vehicle.

Abstract: An environmental control unit for use with a transport container is provided. The environmental control unit comprises: a thermoelectric device; a fan to blow air across the thermoelectric device; a cooling module configured to receive the air blown across the thermoelectric device and convey the air to a compartment of a transport container when the transport container is removably connected to the environmental control unit; a controller in electronic communication with the thermoelectric device and the fan; and a communication module in electronic communication with the controller, wherein the communication module is configured to transmit parameters of the environmental control unit to a computing device through wireless communication.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration system comprises a vehicle having a refrigerated cargo space; a compressed gas tank configured to store gas; an engine configured to power the vehicle through combustion of the gas; and a pressure reducing mechanism fluidly connecting the compressed gas tank and the engine. The pressure reducing mechanism configured to reduce the pressure of the gas from the compressed gas tank. The transport refrigeration system also comprises an evaporator thermally coupled to the pressure reducing mechanism and the refrigerated cargo space. The evaporator is configured to cool the refrigerated cargo space. A temperature of the gas and a temperature of the evaporator are reduced as a result of the reduction in pressure of the gas by the pressure reducing mechanism.

Abstract: A method of operating a refrigeration unit (22) of a transport refrigeration system (200) including the steps of: controlling, using a controller (30), a plurality of components of the refrigeration system, the controlling includes operating at least one of a prime mover (26) and a battery system (190); monitoring, using a location tracking device (175), a location of the transport refrigeration system; powering, using the prime mover, the refrigeration unit when the location is outside a selected location; deactivating the prime mover when the location is within the selected location; activating the battery system when the location is within the selected location; and powering, using the battery system, the refrigeration unit when the location is within the selected location.