Abstract: A method of mitigating refrigerant leaks within a refrigeration system that includes: detecting a leak of a refrigerant from a refrigeration system; closing a first valve to inhibit a fluid flow of the refrigerant between an evaporator and a condenser fluidly connected to the evaporator; and operating a compressor to direct another fluid flow of the refrigerant from the evaporator to the compressor.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a transportation refrigeration system including: a transportation refrigeration system having a compressor having a suction port and a discharge port configured to circulate a first working fluid through a flow circuit; a heat absorption heat exchanger operably coupled to a compressor discharge port; and a temperature control system including a fluid heating apparatus operably coupled to a pump configured to circulate a second working fluid by a first flow circuit and at least a second flow circuit, wherein the first flow circuit is fluidly coupled to the heat absorption heat exchanger, and the second flow circuit is fluidly coupled to a heat transfer apparatus and a radiator, and wherein the radiator is adjacent to a fan.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (100) including a container (10) having an outer wall defining at least one compartment. Also included is a first refrigerant system section (202) disposed at an exterior location of the outer wall of the container, the first refrigerant system section having a first refrigerant routed therethrough for cooling of the first refrigerant. Further included is a second refrigerant system (204) section disposed at least partially within an interior location of the outer wall of the container, the second refrigerant system section having a second refrigerant that is different from the first refrigerant routed therethrough for cooling of the second refrigerant.

Abstract: A method of mitigating refrigerant leaks within a refrigeration system that includes: detecting a leak of a refrigerant from a refrigeration system; closing a first valve to inhibit a fluid flow of the refrigerant between an evaporator and a condenser fluidly connected to the evaporator; and operating a compressor to direct another fluid flow of the refrigerant from the evaporator to the compressor.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a refrigeration unit are provided. The methods and systems include measuring a first characteristic of a refrigeration unit, calculating a compressor middle stage pressure based on the first measured characteristic, determining if a first comparison and a second comparison are satisfied based on the first measured characteristic and the calculated compressor middle stage pressure, and opening an economizer solenoid valve when the first comparison and the second comparison are satisfied.

Abstract: A water-cooled heat rejection heat exchanger is provided and includes a housing having first and second opposing end plates and sidewalls extending between the end plates to form an enclosure, at least the first end plate including first and second inlet/outlet pairs for first and second fluids, respectively, a plurality of plates disposed within the enclosure between the first and second end plates to define a first fluid pathway disposed in fluid communication with the first inlet/outlet pair and a second fluid pathway disposed in fluid communication with the second inlet/outlet pair and a plurality of brazed formations disposed between adjacent ones of the first end plate, the plurality of plates and the second end plate to isolate the first fluid pathway from the second fluid pathway.

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: A method of operating a transport refrigeration system is provided. The method includes electrically powering a first plurality of components of a first refrigeration unit and a second plurality of components of a second refrigeration unit, wherein electrically powering comprises operating a prime mover and an electric generation device. The method also includes monitoring a plurality of operating parameters of the first refrigeration unit. The method further includes monitoring a plurality of operating parameters of the second refrigeration unit. The method yet further includes calculating a combined power load of the first refrigeration unit and the second refrigeration unit. The method also includes comparing the combined power load to a maximum available power of the prime mover.

Abstract: A refrigerant system capable of operating at multiple capacity modes includes an evaporator, a multi-stage compressor assembly, a first fluid flow path, a second fluid flow path, a first valve, and a second valve. The multi-stage compressor assembly has a first stage and a second stage. The first fluid flow path extends from the evaporator to the first stage of the multi-stage compressor assembly. The second fluid flow path connects to the first fluid flow path and to the multi-stage compressor assembly between the first stage and the second stage.

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: A refrigeration system for a mobile unit includes a refrigeration loop (32), an air duct (70), a sensor (34) and a shock absorption unit (36). The refrigeration loop includes a compressor, a condenser, a refrigerant regulator and an evaporator (64). The air duct directs air from an air inlet to the evaporator, which air duct is defined by first and second panels. The sensor is disposed in the air duct. The shock absorption unit mounts the sensor to and provides a limited thermal conduction path between the sensor and the first panel (22).

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: A heat sink assembly is disclosed for cooling a power electronics module, such as a variable frequency drive. The heat sink assembly includes a housing and a heat sink structure. The housing defines an interior chamber for enclosing the power electronics module and also defines a cooling air flow channel exterior to the interior chamber. The heat sink structure is disposed in conductive heat transfer relationship with the interior chamber and has a heat transfer surface positioned within the exterior cooling air flow channel in convective heat transfer relationship with the cooling air flow.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a transport refrigeration system to limit current drawn by a compressor powered by AC electric current includes the steps of: (a) determining whether an ambient temperature in which the refrigeration unit is operating has been greater than a set point ambient temperature for a first time period; (b) determining whether the refrigeration unit has been operating in a temperature pulldown mode; (c) determining whether the AC electric current is equal to or exceeds a preset maximum current limit; (d) determining whether a time period between a last defrost cycle and a next previous defrost cycle is less than fifteen minutes; and (e) if the determination is YES in both of step (a) and step (b) and is also YES in at least one of step (c) and step (d), reducing the preset maximum current limit to a reset maximum current limit.

Abstract: A heat sink device for cooling a power electronics module includes a base platform having a first surface and a second surface on opposite sides of the base platform, a plurality of upright members extending outwardly from the first surface of the base platform and defining a cavity wherein the power electronics module is disposed in conductive heat exchange relationship with the first surface of the base platform, and a plurality of heat transfer fins extending outwardly from the second surface of the base platform and defining a plurality of cooling air flow channels.

Abstract: A heat sink assembly is disclosed for cooling a power electronics module, such as a variable frequency drive. The heat sink assembly includes a housing and a heat sink structure. The housing defines an interior chamber for enclosing the power electronics module and also defines a cooling air flow channel exterior to the interior chamber. The heat sink structure is disposed in conductive heat transfer relationship with the interior chamber and has a heat transfer surface positioned within the exterior cooling air flow channel in convective heat transfer relationship with the cooling air flow.

Abstract: A water-cooled heat rejection heat exchanger is provided and includes a housing having first and second opposing end plates and sidewalls extending between the end plates to form an enclosure, at least the first end plate including first and second inlet/outlet pairs for first and second fluids, respectively, a plurality of plates disposed within the enclosure between the first and second end plates to define a first fluid pathway disposed in fluid communication with the first inlet/outlet pair and a second fluid pathway disposed in fluid communication with the second inlet/outlet pair and a plurality of brazed formations disposed between adjacent ones of the first end plate, the plurality of plates and the second end plate to isolate the first fluid pathway from the second fluid pathway.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a transport refrigeration system to limit current drawn by a compressor powered by AC electric current includes the steps of: (a) determining whether an ambient temperature in which the refrigeration unit is operating has been greater than a set point ambient temperature for a first time period; (b) determining whether the refrigeration unit has been operating in a temperature pulldown mode; (c) determining whether the AC electric current is equal to or exceeds a preset maximum current limit; (d) determining whether a time period between a last defrost cycle and a next previous defrost cycle is less than fifteen minutes; and (e) if the determination is YES in both of step (a) and step (b) and is also YES in at least one of step (c) and step (d), reducing the preset maximum current limit to a reset maximum current limit.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration unit is provided which having a refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger (condenser/gas cooler) that promotes adequate water drainage and corrosion durability. A wraparound finned tube coil has a plurality of heat exchange tube loops and a plurality of plate fins mounted to the plurality of heat exchange tube loops. Each heat exchange tube loop is formed by a plurality of linear tube segments or hairpin tube segments connected by return bends, with each linear tube segment or hairpin segment extending longitudinally at an inclination angle with respect to vertical of at least 20 degrees.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for a mobile unit includes a refrigeration loop (32), an air duct (70), a sensor (34) and a shock absorption unit (36). The refrigeration loop includes a compressor, a condenser, a refrigerant regulator and an evaporator (64). The air duct directs air from an air inlet to the evaporator, which air duct is defined by first and second panels. The sensor is disposed in the air duct. The shock absorption unit mounts the sensor to and provides a limited thermal conduction path between the sensor and the first panel (22).