Abstract: The performance of a transport refrigeration system having a transport refrigeration unit powered by a diesel engine is optimized by matching a capacity output of the transport refrigeration unit to an available shaft power of the diesel engine.

Abstract: A method is provided for accelerating the drying of a cargo box (18) of a refrigerated truck (12), trailer (16), or container following a wash out. In an aspect, the method includes circulating air from the cargo box (18) through an evaporator (30) of the refrigerant unit (20) and back to the cargo box (18); and operating the refrigerant unit (20) in alternating cycles of first heating the circulating air and then cooling the circulating air.

Abstract: A method for operating a refrigeration system for a mobile unit includes steps of: 1) providing a refrigeration unit having a compressor, an evaporator, and at least one fan operable to move air towards the evaporator, a generator dedicated to the refrigeration unit, and a battery; 2) determining at least one environmental parameter in one or both of the mobile unit and the refrigeration unit; and 3) selectively operating the refrigeration unit in one of a plurality of modes based on the environmental parameter. The plurality of modes includes a first mode wherein at least the fan is powered by the battery, and a second mode wherein the compressor and the fan are powered by the generator.

Abstract: In a refrigeration system having a compressor, a heat rejection heat exchanger, a heat absorption heat exchanger, and a controller for controlling the same, embodiments of a system, apparatus and methods for the same can control at least one refrigeration system component such as an expansion valve responsive to dynamic system conditions.

Abstract: A refrigeration system having a refrigeration unit (22) for providing temperature conditioned air to a temperature controlled space, an engine (26) and an electric generation device (24) driven by the engine, is provided with a battery system (28) for supplying electric power. A method of operating the transport refrigeration includes, during a high cooling demand mode, operating the engine (26) to drive the electric generation device (24) for supplying electric power and simultaneously employing the battery system (28) for supplying electric power to jointly power the plurality of power demand loads (50, 42, 46, 48) of the refrigerant unit.

Abstract: A unit, such as a transport refrigeration unit 12, may include a plurality of components arranged in multiple stages. At least a portion of the components 18,20 may be arranged in a serial or parallel manner. A position associated with the plurality of components may be selected to control a load on a power source, such as an engine 30. For example, a position for each of the components may be selected so as to maximize a delivery of available power from the power source to the unit. In some embodiments, one or more controllers 32,34 may measure a parameter associated with the power source and select a position for one or more of the components. In some embodiments, an economized refrigeration cycle may be used. Capacity may be staged from a single stage compression cycle or mode to a multistage compression cycle or mode, with a corresponding increase in capacity via subcooling.

Abstract: A method for operating a refrigeration system for a mobile unit includes steps of: 1) providing a refrigeration unit having a compressor, an evaporator, and at least one fan operable to move air towards the evaporator, a generator dedicated to the refrigeration unit, and a battery; 2) determining at least one environmental parameter in one or both of the mobile unit and the refrigeration unit; and 3) selectively operating the refrigeration unit in one of a plurality of modes based on the environmental parameter. The plurality of modes includes a first mode wherein at least the fan is powered by the battery, and a second mode wherein the compressor and the fan are powered by the generator.

Abstract: The performance of a transport refrigeration system having a transport refrigeration unit powered by a diesel engine is optimized by matching a capacity output of the transport refrigeration unit to an available shaft power of the diesel engine.

Abstract: A method is provided for calibrating an engine throttle position sensor operation of a refrigeration system powered by a fuel fired engine.

Abstract: The performance of a transport refrigeration system (12) having a transport refrigeration unit powered by a diesel engine is optimized by matching a capacity output of the transport refrigeration unit to an available shaft power of the diesel engine. The power consumption of the transport refrigeration may be controlled by selectively limiting refrigerant mass flow through the refrigerant circuit of the transport refrigeration unit in response to an operating engine load and an operating speed of the diesel engine.

Abstract: A power supply system for a transport refrigeration system includes an engine coupled to a compressor of a refrigeration unit for direct drive powering the compressor and a generator arranged to also be direct driven by the engine for generating electric power. The generator and the compressor are mounted to a common drive shaft driven by the engine, and the generator may be integrated with the compressor. The power supply system may further include an alternator arranged to be belt driven by the engine for generating DC electric power. A battery pack may be provided for storing and supplying additional DC power. During peak load demand on the refrigeration unit, the engine may be operated with the generator switched off to directly drive the compressor and direct current may be drawn from the battery pack to drive the condenser/gas cooler and evaporator fans.

Abstract: A method is provided for accelerating the drying of a cargo box (18) of a refrigerated truck (12), trailer (16), or container following a wash out. In an aspect, the method includes circulating air from the cargo box (18) through an evaporator (30) of the refrigerant unit (20) and back to the cargo box (18); and operating the refrigerant unit (20) in alternating cycles of first heating the circulating air and then cooling the circulating air.

Abstract: A multi-compartment transport refrigeration system includes a compressor having suction port, discharge port and intermediate inlet port; a heat rejecting heat exchanger; an economizer heat exchanger having a first refrigerant flow path and a second refrigerant flow path therethrough; a first evaporator expansion device; a first evaporator having an inlet coupled to the first evaporator expansion device and an outlet coupled to a compressor inlet path, the first evaporator for cooling a first compartment of a container; a second evaporator expansion; a second evaporator having an inlet coupled to the second evaporator expansion device, the second evaporator for cooling a second compartment of the container; an economizer expansion device coupled to the first refrigerant flow path, the economizer expansion device directing refrigerant from the first refrigerant flow path to the second refrigerant flow path, the second refrigerant flow path coupled to the intermediate inlet port.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems, apparatus, and/or methods can provide a damper assembly for transport refrigeration systems. One embodiment can include a damper assembly including a damper door configured to operate in a first position (e.g., closed), a second position (e.g., open), and at least one intermediate position. In one embodiment, a plurality of intermediate positions can be used to controllably vary a capacity of the transport refrigeration unit, or at least one component thereof. Embodiments of systems, apparatus, and/or methods can provide a damper assembly that can be accessed though an ambient portion of transport refrigeration systems or components.

Abstract: A unit, such as a transport refrigeration unit 12, may include a plurality of components arranged in multiple stages. At least a portion of the components 18,20 may be arranged in a serial or parallel manner. A position associated with the plurality of components may be selected to control a load on a power source, such as an engine 30. For example, a position for each of the components may be selected so as to maximize a delivery of available power from the power source to the unit. In some embodiments, one or more controllers 32,34 may measure a parameter associated with the power source and select a position for one or more of the components. In some embodiments, an economized refrigeration cycle may be used. Capacity may be staged from a single stage compression cycle or mode to a multistage compression cycle or mode, with a corresponding increase in capacity via subcooling.

Abstract: A method is provided for calibrating an engine throttle position sensor operation of a refrigeration system powered by a fuel fired engine.

Abstract: A method for controlling speed 122 of an engine, the engine providing power to a compressor of a transport refrigeration unit, the method including generating a speed request 124, the engine speed responsive to the speed request; and generating a speed request offset, the speed request offset being added to the speed request to adjust the speed of the engine.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration system has an engine driving an electric generator. A compressor is powered by the generator. At least one first electric fan is positioned to drive an airflow across a heat rejection heat exchanger. At least one second electric fan is positioned to drive an airflow across a heat absorption heat exchanger. A controller is coupled to the compressor and first and second fans. The controller is configured to: start the engine; engage the generator and at least one of the first fans before the engine has reached running speed; after the engine has reached running speed, start the compressor; and after starting the compressor, start at least one of the second fans.

Abstract: The performance of a transport refrigeration system (12) having a transport refrigeration unit powered by a diesel engine is optimized by matching a capacity output of the transport refrigeration unit to an available shaft power of the diesel engine. The power consumption of the transport refrigeration may be controlled by selectively limiting refrigerant mass flow through the refrigerant circuit of the transport refrigeration unit in response to an operating engine load and an operating speed of the diesel engine.

Abstract: A refrigeration system having a refrigeration unit (22) for providing temperature conditioned air to a temperature controlled space, an engine (26) and an electric generation device (24) driven by the engine, is provided with a battery system (28) for supplying electric power. A method of operating the transport refrigeration includes, during a high cooling demand mode, operating the engine (26) to drive the electric generation device (24) for supplying electric power and simultaneously employing the battery system (28) for supplying electric power to jointly power the plurality of power demand loads (50, 42, 46, 48) of the refrigerant unit.