Patents by Inventor Florian Beaufrere

Florian Beaufrere has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12043082
    Abstract: A vehicle for transporting goods, a tractor-trailer system for transporting goods, and a method of operating a power management system for powering a transport refrigeration unit. The vehicle for transporting goods includes: an axle; a transport refrigeration unit; and a power management system for supplying power to the transport refrigeration unit. The power management system includes: a generator configured to be selectively coupled to an axle of the vehicle, wherein the generator is configured to generate electricity when coupled to the axle; and a controller configured to monitor a speed of the vehicle and to selectively couple and decouple the generator from the axle. The controller is configured to determine that the vehicle is in a first state and decouple the generator from the axle when the vehicle is in the first state, wherein the speed of the vehicle is increasing in the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: CARRIER FIRE & SECURITY EMEA BV
    Inventors: Florian Beaufrere, Gael Ducher, Jamal Zarrabi
  • Publication number: 20240200863
    Abstract: A system for automatically switching from a first power mode to a second power mode of a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) is disclosed, including a processor configured to activate a geo-fencing mode of the TRU operating in the first power mode. The activation of the geo-fencing mode triggers a continuous and automatic determination of geo-location coordinates of the TRU. The processor is further configured to determine if the TRU is on board a marine vessel in a first geographical region responsive to the activation of the geo-fencing mode. The processor is further configured to automatically switch from the first power mode to the second power mode for the TRU based on a positive determination. The first power mode corresponds to a combustion-driven power source and the second power mode corresponds to a stand-by power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2023
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventor: Florian Beaufrere
  • Publication number: 20240181916
    Abstract: A method for managing power supply during charging operation of BEVs. The method includes establishing a communication with each of the slave devices installed in the BEVs and receiving input data from the slave devices in real-time via a communication interface. The method further includes calculating a total power currently utilized by a plurality of TRUs based on the received input data and determining a probability whether the calculated total power exceeds a maximum allowed power provided by the primary grid network during the charging operation in case a new charging request is received from a new slave device. Thereafter, the method further includes regulating, based on the determined probability, a power allocation of a group of TRUs among the plurality of the TRUs such that the total calculated power remains below a saturation point of the maximum allowed power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Guillaume Charoulet, Florian Beaufrere
  • Publication number: 20240149743
    Abstract: A method for managing power consumption in a BEV includes obtaining real time vehicle data via an ECU of the BEV and receiving information regarding deliveries that are planned by a user for a specific day based on a user input or data acquisition from a remote database. The method further includes determining consumption of energy for completion of the deliveries on the specific day based on the obtained real time vehicle data and the received information and then calculating a distance that can be traveled by the BEV based on the determined consumption of energy. The method further includes determining a temperature difference between an internal temperature of a TRU of the BEV and an external temperature outside the TRU in real time, estimating an impact of the determined temperature difference on the determined consumption of energy, and thereafter displaying the results of the estimation on an HMI.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Guillaume Charoulet, Florian Beaufrere
  • Publication number: 20240075848
    Abstract: A method for managing mileage capacity of a BEV having a TRU includes obtaining live vehicle data via an ECU of the BEV and determining a rate of consumption of energy stored in the energy storage unit and an efficiency of BEV's components based on the live vehicle data. The method further includes triggering an operation mode of the BEV based on the determined rate of consumption of energy and the efficiency, and thereafter controlling a cooling and a heating capacity of the TRU based on the triggered operation mode. The method includes optimizing the rate of the consumption of energy based on the controlled cooling and the heating capacity of the TRU and then notifying a message indicating current operating modes of the BEV and activation of an energy saving mode to a user of the BEV via one of a HMI, mobile application, or a visual indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Guillaume Charoulet, Florian Beaufrere
  • Publication number: 20240034120
    Abstract: A method of operating a transport refrigeration unit of a vehicle comprises determining a vehicle route from a current location of the vehicle to a final destination of the vehicle; determining whether to operate a refrigeration system of the transport refrigeration unit in a normal mode or an economy mode; and operating the refrigeration system in the economy mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: FLORIAN BEAUFRERE, GUILLAUME CHAROULET
  • Publication number: 20240035727
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system is provided comprising a cargo container and a transport refrigeration unit arranged to cool the cargo container. The cargo container is equipped with a mobile bulkhead that partitions the interior of the cargo container. The transport refrigeration unit comprises a heat-absorbing heat exchanger positioned in fluid communication with the interior of the cargo container. The transport refrigeration system is further provided with a sensor configured to determine a distance between the mobile bulkhead and the heat-absorbing heat exchanger. A method of operating a transport refrigeration system is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Lionel Pourcheresse, Bruno Chakiachvili, Gael Ducher, Florian Beaufrere, Guillaume Charoulet
  • Publication number: 20240034254
    Abstract: A vehicle for transporting goods and a method of operating a power system of the vehicle are described. The vehicle comprises an axle; transport refrigeration unit; and power system. The power system comprises an energy storage device; a generator to generate electrical power and to supply electrical power to the energy storage device; a multi-speed gearbox mechanically coupling the axle to the generator; and a controller to receive data indicative of a speed of the vehicle and a state-of-charge of the energy storage device, and to control the multi-speed gearbox. The controller is configured to set a gear ratio of the multi-speed gearbox to a speed-based gear ratio when the vehicle is in a first state, wherein the speed-based gear ratio is selected based on the speed of the vehicle, and wherein the state-of-charge of the energy storage device is below a first charge threshold in the first state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Florian Beaufrere
  • Publication number: 20230408347
    Abstract: A method of testing temperature sensors of refrigerated cargo spaces, comprising: installing a wireless temperature sensor in proximity of a cargo space temperature sensor of a refrigerated cargo space; receiving, at a data processing device, temperature data from both the cargo space temperature sensor and the wireless temperature sensor; calculating a temperature difference between the temperature measured by the cargo space temperature sensor and the wireless temperature sensor; and calibrating or replacing the cargo space temperature sensor if the temperature difference exceeds a threshold difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventor: Florian Beaufrere
  • Publication number: 20230344224
    Abstract: A grid-shielded electrical system for a transportation refrigeration system is provided. The grid-shielded electrical system includes a bus to deliver three-phase grid power, which is received from a grid, to electrical components of the transportation refrigeration system, a voltage sensor disposed to sense a condition of voltage on the bus and configured to generate voltage readings accordingly and a controller disposed in signal communication with the voltage sensor and configured to detect a root cause issue with the grid based on the voltage readings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventor: Florian Beaufrere
  • Patent number: 11787267
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of operating a trailer refrigeration unit of a refrigerated trailer system comprising setting a cargo hold set point temperature through a user interface; urging an airflow along a flowpath from a return air inlet port, through an evaporator of the trailer refrigeration unit, and to a supply air outlet port of the trailer refrigeration unit; monitoring a return air temperature of the airflow flowing through the return air inlet port; monitoring a supply air temperature of the airflow flowing through the supply air outlet port; heating the airflow flowing through the supply air outlet port when the return air temperature is less than the cargo hold set point temperature; and stopping heating of the airflow flowing to the supply air outlet port when the return air temperature is less than the cargo hold set point temperature and the supply air temperature reaches a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Florian Beaufrere, Raymond L. Senf
  • Publication number: 20230282851
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration unit (TRU) system is provided and includes a fuel cell disposed to generate power for cooling a cargo compartment, a supply of hydrogen disposed to supply hydrogen to the fuel cell, a test button operably coupled to the fuel cell and pre-trip cycle electronics operably coupled to the fuel cell whereby, upon the test button being activated, the pre-trip cycle electronics execute diagnostics and tests of components engaged with or that are components of the fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventor: Florian Beaufrere
  • Publication number: 20230243314
    Abstract: A power system for a transport refrigeration unit (200) of a vehicle, and a method of powering a transport refrigeration unit (200) of a vehicle. The power system for a transport refrigeration unit (200) of a vehicle includes: a battery unit (280) configured to supply electrical power to a refrigeration system of the transport refrigeration unit (200); a generator (240) configured to charge the battery unit (280); an engine (250) configured to drive the generator (240); and a control system (220). The control system (220) is configured to: receive or determine a vehicle route from a current location of the vehicle to a destination of the vehicle; predict how a power level of the battery unit (280) will change on the vehicle route; and control an operational state of the engine (250) based on the vehicle route and the predicted power level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Gael Ducher, Florian Beaufrere
  • Publication number: 20220314738
    Abstract: A vehicle for transporting goods, a tractor-trailer system for transporting goods, and a method of operating a power management system for powering a transport refrigeration unit. The vehicle for transporting goods includes: an axle; a transport refrigeration unit; and a power management system for supplying power to the transport refrigeration unit. The power management system includes: a generator configured to be selectively coupled to an axle of the vehicle, wherein the generator is configured to generate electricity when coupled to the axle; and a controller configured to monitor a speed of the vehicle and to selectively couple and decouple the generator from the axle. The controller is configured to determine that the vehicle is in a first state and decouple the generator from the axle when the vehicle is in the first state, wherein the speed of the vehicle is increasing in the first state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Florian Beaufrere, Gael Ducher, Jamal Zarrabi
  • Publication number: 20220016957
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of operating a trailer refrigeration unit of a refrigerated trailer system comprising setting a cargo hold set point temperature through a user interface; urging an airflow along a flowpath from a return air inlet port, through an evaporator of the trailer refrigeration unit, and to a supply air outlet port of the trailer refrigeration unit; monitoring a return air temperature of the airflow flowing through the return air inlet port; monitoring a supply air temperature of the airflow flowing through the supply air outlet port; heating the airflow flowing through the supply air outlet port when the return air temperature is less than the cargo hold set point temperature; and stopping heating of the airflow flowing to the supply air outlet port when the return air temperature is less than the cargo hold set point temperature and the supply air temperature reaches a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Florian Beaufrere, Raymond L. Senf